Plum girls soccer extends section winning streak

By: Michael Love
Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Plum girls soccer team ran its current section winning streak to 30 games with a convincing 9-0 home win over West Mifflin last Wednesday.

The Mustangs, 4-0 overall and 3-0 in Section 4-3A with the win over the Titans, contributed to that run of section success in their opener with a 3-1 victory over rival Franklin Regional behind a stout defensive effort; goals from Gianna Revetta, Brenna McLaughlin and Emily Grubish; and assists from Meghan Stammer and Madi Stewart.

Plum coach Jamie Stewart is pleased with the strong start but said there is a lot of work still to do for a team with high goals and expectations for when the playoffs come calling in mid October.

“It always is challenging starting with Franklin Regional,” Stewart said.

“We were tested immediately. We expected that and welcomed that. It was a really well-played game from both sides. Early in the season, we’re just trying to figure out where we’re at and what we need to improve on, and it does take some time to get to where we are to where we want to be.”

Stewart said his team, a mix of seasoned veterans and newcomers looking to make bigger impacts as the season continues to ramp up, was good about appreciating the win over FR but not dwelling on it for too long knowing that a stiff challenge awaited them two days later against Elizabeth Forward.

“It is often cliché, but we take it one game at a time, and that was important for us as we transitioned to EF in practice,” Stewart said.

“The girls did a nice job with that, and we came out and played. We had one game this week and we don’t play again until next Wednesday (Sept. 10) against Kiski, so we have some time to build off of what we’ve already done.”

The Mustangs gave up one EF goal, but they countered with Grubich scoring twice, and McLaughlin and Allison Porter tallying one each in the 4-1 victory.

Revetta, Olivia Bigger and Keirstin Curry provided helpers, and Malayna Smith got the win in net.

The winning continued Aug. 30 against neighboring rival Gateway at Mustangs Stadium.

Smith picked up the shutout, Grubich tallied her fourth goal of the season, Bigger recorded a pair of goals, Ali Joyce contributed a goal and two assists, and Revetta assisted on one of the goals in the 4-0 win.

“It’s one of those good games, whether it is in section or out, that we get to play each year,” Stewart said.

“(Gateway coach) Caleb (Kyper) and his team always provide a good test for us. We like to play them early in the year as another good test to measure where we stand. We did some really good things in that game, especially on a Saturday morning. I thought we were ready to go. Gateway, too, played well and caused us to work on some aspects of our game to get the win.”

Stewart said Kiski Area started out strong with a couple nice wins and tough losses to Mars and Franklin Regional. After Wednesday’s initial matchup between the section foes, the Cavaliers and Mustangs do battle again on Oct. 6.

“(Cavaliers coach) Dave (Anderson) has done a nice job of growing that team,” Stewart said.

“They have really come along with his coaching and some of the talent they have. It will be interesting to see how they continue to develop throughout the season. They always compete against us very well and give us a good game.”

Plum’s win over West Mifflin saw the Mustangs jump ahead early. Revetta finished with a career-best four goals, while Grubich continued to excel with a pair of goals and an assist.

Curry, Olivia Shafer and Bella Mains each added a goal, while Bigger (2), McLaughlin, Addison French, Camryn Gauntner, Hayden Wawrzyniak and Bailee Belmonte each provided assists.

Smith, Sophia Robinson and Lily Deluca combined for the shutout.

“As we got to halftime and into the second half, we were able to get a number of the younger players in,” Stewart said.

“That is one of the things that will help us down the road, them getting into the game and getting that exposure to that level of play so they are prepared as we look to the future.”

The game with West Mifflin also was Youth Night as the future of Plum varsity soccer was celebrated.

“It was a good night all around,” Stewart said.

“We had a junior high game before the varsity, and our girls were there to support them. We really felt the support of the community. The youth program is the thing that allows us to continue to be the (high school) program we are. They were on the field being recognized at halftime. It is a great way to blend all of the community programs.”

A nonsection game with perennial playoff contender Montour looms on Sept. 18, but the Plum players, Stewart said, will be focused first on wrapping up the first half of the section slate at home with Indiana on Monday and at Greensburg Salem on Wednesday.

“We’re not looking to the Montour game yet, but we realize it is out there,” Stewart said.

“We know the level they are playing at and the level that they always play at. It will be a good barometer for us when we get to that game. But of course we have games in front of us in section, and we need to finish strong the first time through the section.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

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