Freshman’s goal in final minutes of overtime sends Plum past Moon in WPIAL quarterfinals
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Thursday, October 24, 2024 | 10:02 PM
Plum’s Emily Grubich celebrates with teammates after scoring against Moon during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal Thursday.
Plum players mob Keirsten Curry (28) after she scored in double overtime to defeat Moon, 2-1, in their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Plum’s Brenna McLaughlin works against Moon’s Riley Lafayette during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Plum’s Gianna Revetta battles Moon’s Sofia Jovanelly for possession during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Plum’s Brenna McLaughlin battles Moon’s Riley Lafayette for possession during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Plum’s goalkeeper Makenna Anderson makes a save during overtime against Moon in their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Plum’s Emily Grubich hugs goalkeeper Makenna Anderson after scoring against Moon during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal Thursday.
Plum’s Gianna Revetta battles Moon’s Sofia Jovanelly for possession during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Plum’s Brenna McLaughlin battles Moon’s Kendall Dydek for possession during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Plum’s Emily Grubich battles Moon’s Lillian Snyder for possession during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Plum’s Emily Grubich celebrates with Olivia Bigger after scoring against Moon during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Moon’s Lauren Muhanna works past Plum’s Serena Carnahan during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Moon’s Lauren Muhanna celebrates after scoring against Plum during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Plum.
Plum players mob Keirsten Curry after she scored in double overtime to defeat Moon, 2-1, in their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal Thursday.
Keirstin Curry said she couldn’t have hit a better shot.
It couldn’t have come at a better time.
Moments after coming on as a substitute in double overtime, Curry got a little bit of space and ripped a shot from 30 yards into the top of the net to give No. 4 Plum a 2-1 victory over No. 5 Moon in the WPIAL Class 3A girls soccer quarterfinals Thursday night.
The goal came with 3 minutes, 59 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
Right after the ball went into the net, Curry, a freshman, was mobbed by her teammates. She took the shot about 5 yards from the Plum bench.
“It was awesome,” Curry said. “I’ve never really experienced anything like this before. I can’t even describe it. I just can’t believe it’s real.”
The Mustangs (17-1) advanced to play No. 1 Fox Chapel in the semifinals Tuesday.
“I’m super excited for the girls,” Plum coach Jamie Stewart said. “They put in a ton of work coming into today, and they put in a ton of work tonight. They played their hearts out.”
Moon’s loss means there will be a new state champion in Class 3A. The Tigers won three consecutive championships.
Moon (13-4) trailed 1-0 at halftime, but Lauren Muhanna got the equalizer eight minutes into the second half.
Muhanna received a throw-in from Madison Shaver and put a shot in from a bad angle that deflected off Plum keeper Makenna Anderson and trickled into the net.
“I’m proud of the kids, and I’m happy with the way they came back,” Moon coach Bill Pfeifer said.
Chances were limited after the tying goal, but each team had one big opportunity to win the game in regulation.
Muhanna had an attempt at goal go just wide in the 58th minute. A dozen minutes later, Plum’s Mia Nardo sent in a cross that was headed by Emily Grubich, but the ball drifted wide.
Both teams got five minutes to regroup prior to overtime.
“For us it was about continuing to do the things we were doing, play with heart and give 100 percent,” Stewart said. “That’s what it boils down to. Both teams gave everything they had. We said the same thing going into the second overtime. I thought if we kept doing the things we were doing we’d get another look, and fortunately Keirstin got it and put it in.”
Plum’s Ali Joyce had the best scoring chance in the first overtime. She put a long shot on frame, but Moon keeper Ainslie Romasco leaped high in the air to punch the ball over the crossbar.
Grubich scored in the 33rd minute to give Plum a 1-0 lead. It was set up by Joyce winning a race to a loose ball. Joyce then passed to Gianna Revetta, who found Grubich alone in front of goal.
Grubich settled the ball and put a shot into the top-right corner of the net.
Prior to the goal, the Mustangs had the majority of the chances in the first half. They generated four corners and had a half dozen shots on goal.
Jerin Steele is a freelance writer
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