Plum swipes another 1-goal victory from Norwin
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Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 10:08 PM
Plum’s Christian Alter is hoisted in the air by Hudson Strasser after the two combined to score in the final minutes of their game against Norwin on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Austin Kolankowski battles Norwin’s Alex Cella for possession during their game on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Hudson Strasser battles Norwin’s Ian Natale for a header during their game on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Hudson Strasser is mobbed by teammates the Mustngs scored in the final minutes of their game against Norwin on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Kent Holmes battles Norwin’s Jaxson Momeyer for possession during their game on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum goalkeeper Chase Eber makes a save during the second half against Norwin on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Joaquin Santiago controls the ball against Norwin on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Norwin’s Obaara Owolabi works against Plum’s Marshall Capozza during their game on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Hudson Strasser (left) celebrates with Christian Alter after Alter scored in the final minutes of their game against Norwin on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Hudson Strasser heads the ball against Norwin on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Norwin’s Obaara Owolabi works against Plum’s Christian Alter during their game on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Joaquin Santiago battles Norwin’s Jaxson Momeyer for possession during their game on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Christian Alter battles Norwin’s Jack Lepore for a header during their game on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum goalkeeper Chase Eber makes a save under Luke Hoburg during the second half against Norwin on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Christian Alter deflects a shot past Norwin goalkeeper Reed Hoyle to score late in their game on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum’s Hudson Strasser (30) celebrates his goal with teammates in the final minutes of their game against Norwin on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Norwin.
Plum and Norwin have developed a rivalry since they were joined up in Section 1-4A and have made a habit out of stacking one-goal games against each other in recent seasons.
They both are heavy hitters and perennial playoff teams, and both went into their latest encounter on matching six-game unbeaten streaks.
It wasn’t until the final three minutes that one finally broke the other’s concentration in a first-place clash that fit the mold.
Another one-goal finish, with a flourish.
Hudson “Andy” Strasser sent in a 12-yard free kick from a side angle following a Norwin handball, and Christian Alter swooped into frame and had the ball skim off his head and past Norwin keeper Reed Hoyle in the 76th minute to give No. 5 Plum a 1-0 victory Thursday night at Norwin Knights Stadium.
Hudson Strasser connects on the free kick, 12 yards, front post.
Plum 1, Norwin 0 — 76th minute.@PlumAthletics @BoysNorwin @TribLiveHSSN #wpialsoccer pic.twitter.com/fj0xY23KpW
— Bill Beckner (@BillBeckner) September 19, 2025
“We were thinking overtime,” Plum coach Raf Kolankowski said. “Sometimes you need the soccer gods to give you a break. They missed that breakaway, or it would have been 1-1. We made a hustle play. It was right outside the box, and that is a very dangerous situation.
“We’ll take goals any way we can get them.”
Plum (9-1-1, 4-0-1) was outshot 12-5 but cashed in on a quality opportunity to finally wipe out a 0-0 score.
Norwin (4-4-2, 3-1-1) had numerous scoring chances but couldn’t get anything past Mustangs keeper Chase Eber, who made 10 saves.
Strasser thought he scored initially but was just as happy that his teammate did.
“Christian did a great job of drawing the handball, and it was great to get the ball wide,” Strasser said. “I played the ball to the front post, which was open, and it went in. We know how to fight.”
Norwin coach Scott Schuchert was upset with the handball call. He voiced his displeasure and received two yellow cards during the handshake line. He will have to sit out at least one game. The Knights’ next game is Monday against Fox Chapel.
“I couldn’t believe they called a handball,” Schuchert said. “I feel bad for our guys to have that play determine the outcome. Some of these calls have been a trend against us.
“Kudos to Plum. They grinded it out and waited to get that big chance.”
Norwin hasn’t beaten Plum since 2018.
“We have a resilient group,” Schuchert said. “We’ll get ready for the second round of section play.”
The teams played to a 0-0 tie at the half.
Eber made four saves in the opening 40 minutes.
Plum has outscored opponents 38-4, including 20-1 in section games.
Leading goal scorer Kent Holmes and Austin Kolankowski left the game with potential injuries for Plum. Both have missed time this season.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
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