Top-ranked Mt. Pleasant girls soccer chasing elusive WPIAL title
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 | 11:57 AM
Mt. Pleasant’s Rylin Bugosh celebrates with Morgan Gesinski after scoring against Deer Lakes on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in West Deer.
Mt. Pleasant’s Rylin Bugosh controls the ball during a game against Deer Lakes on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in West Deer.
Mt. Pleasant’s Brooklyn Ulery works against Deer Lakes’ Tessa Hollibaugh during their game on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in West Deer.
Mt. Pleasant’s Brooklyn Ulery battles Deer Lakes’ Claire Cacurak for a header during their game Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in West Deer.
Mt. Pleasant’s Caitlyn Fullman works against Deer Lakes’ Tessa Hollibaugh during their game on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in West Deer.
Mt. Pleasant’s Rylin Bugosh celebrates with teammates after scoring against Deer Lakes on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in West Deer.
This is the year. It has to be, right?
Mt. Pleasant finally takes all of its girls soccer talent and breaks through to win a WPIAL championship at Highmark Stadium — an eruption of a celebration following at Station Square.
“We hope,” coach Rich Garland said.
Mt. Pleasant (11-1, 6-0) is undefeated in section, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2A, and has outscored its opponents 68-5.
The only loss was a 2-1 setback against 4A Penn-Trafford in overtime.
“You don’t want your season to end with a loss,” Garland said. “That’s what happened last year.”
That loss still lingers, and it motivates the Vikings, who were the No. 3 seed and were upset by No. 6 Burrell, 2-1, in overtime, in the quarterfinals at Viking Stadium.
But there is still time to make amends.
“We will all need to be focused and willing to put in the extra effort because we have such a good chance to make this season special,” junior Morgan Gesinski said. “I think the team knows that and will be willing to work hard to do something special again.”
Mt. Pleasant made the finals two years ago and lost to Avonworth, 2-1, at Highmark Stadium. The Vikings made a run to the PIAA semifinals but lost to General McLane, 3-0.
This year’s seniors are 60-11-1 since they joined the team.
“If we stay healthy, we certainly have a shot at the title,” Garland said. “That is the key. We have three very good forwards and a solid midfield.”
Gesinski and seniors Rylin Bugosh and Maddie Barrick are a fearsome trio at the top of a potent attack. If one doesn’t hurt you, the other two probably will.
“The three up top, they’re unbelievable,” Yough coach Rob Broadwater said.
Junior goalkeeper Laurel Rummel has been a staple for the Vikings, helping the team post eight shutouts. Rummel has 41 career clean sheets, which is a program record.
She set the freshman record with 17 shutouts and wins in a season the same year, with 21.
Next, Rummel can tie Lauren Fearer for career wins. Fearer has 49 and Rummel 48.
Barrick said experience, whether from impressive wins or deflating losses, can strengthen the team’s drive to a championship.
“Our goal is to bring home the title,” Barrick said. “As a team, we’ve been taking it game-by-game and we’re always trying to improve to meet this goal. I think that experience will help in the postseason because we know of the high level of play to expect and how to prepare for it.”
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Mt. Pleasant
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