Peters Township Whips Upper St. Clair 5-1 to Repeat as Boys Soccer AAA Champs

By: Bruce Markey
Saturday, November 1, 2014 | 12:35 AM

Peters Township turned the same trick they did last season and treated their fans to a ninth WPIAL championship in soccer Friday night at Highmark Stadium.The Indians playing in a constant cold. light rain built a 3-0 against their conference rival Upper Saint Clair and eventually won going away 5-1.

The Indians entered the game as the three seed against the top-seeded Panthers. USC, just as they had done last year entering the championship tilt had beaten Peters Township twice during the regular season.

Peters though, just as they did last year though proved winning the last game trumps winning the first two.

The Indians led at the half 2-0 thanks to a pair of Nicco Mastrangelo goals. The first coming with 17:23 to play in the half off a corner kick to the near post the Mastrangelo headed between the post and USC keeper Kenny Rapko. then just less than three minute later Nicco took a feed from his brother Mario and blasted a shot in traffic from eight yards out into the back of the net for the halftime score.

Jonathan Sion would push the lead to 3-0 off  Mario Mastrangelo dazzling tassist on the right wing in the fifteenth minute of the second half for a 3-0 lead. At that point the matter seemed pretty much decided as Peters had only allowed four goals all season long coming into the championship game.

USC would get on the board as Shayne Sibley scored his 19th goal of the season with 19:51 to play to make it  a 3-1 game but Peters was too strong on this night Matt Massucci converted a penalty kick with 15:20 to play after USC was called for a foul in the box to make it 4-1 and Mario Mastrangelo would add to his two assist night with his 18th goal of the year with USC pressing the action and 7:35 to play in the game.

From there the powerful Peters defense took control and the celebration was on again for Indians fans. Peters improves to 18-2-0 on the year while the Panthers fall to 19-1-1 on the season.

Both teams advance to the state tournament. USC last year was able to win their second straight PIAA championship last year as the second seed from District Seven. They will try to duplicate that feat here in 2014.

Tags: Upper St. Clair