Trevor Kovatch’s PK goal lifts Belle Vernon to key win over Mt. Pleasant
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Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | 10:10 PM
Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch moves the ball upfield against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch scores on a penalty kick against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon goalkeeper Bryce Burkhart celebrates after defeating Mt. Pleasant, 1-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon goalkeeper Bryce Burkhart makes a save under Mt. Pleasant’s Aiden Johnson during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon goalkeeper Bryce Burkhart makes a save over Marco Mucci and Mt. Pleasant’s Luke Domasky during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon goalkeeper Bryce Burkhart celebrates after defeating Mt. Pleasant, 1-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Mt. Pleasant’s Luke Rivardo battles Belle Vernon’s Marco Mucci for possession Tuesday.
Belle Vernon’s Tyler Bell heads the ball against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch battles Mt. Pleasant’s Jarett Garn for possession during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch controls the ball against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon goalkeeper Bryce Burkhart makes a save against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Belle Vernon goalkeeper Bryce Burkhart celebrates with Logan Metzger after defeating Mt. Pleasant, 1-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Mt. Pleasant’s Jarett Garn battles Belle Vernon’s Tim Reda for possession during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Mt. Pleasant’s Luke Domasky battles Belle Vernon’s Mason Yeschenko during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Mt. Pleasant’s pep band played at halftime Tuesday night at Viking Stadium, a rare occurrence for a high school soccer game, but an addition that was befitting to the ambiance of such a big first-place showdown.
What isn’t a rare occurrence is Trevor Kovatch scoring goals against Mt. Pleasant.
He does enough scoring to beat the band.
Kovatch connected on a first-half penalty kick, and Belle Vernon’s defenders held strong against persistent counters by the Vikings to claim a 1-0 victory and with it at least a share of the Section 3-2A title.
“Our back line played really well tonight,” Belle Vernon coach Al Yeschenko said “They executed our game plan and took care of business. Mt. Pleasant had the better of the possession, but we had a lot to do with that.”
Belle Vernon (13-2, 12-1) has won six straight.
Mt. Pleasant (11-3, 11-2) had a six-game winning streak snapped.
“We played for each other tonight,” Kovatch said. “We didn’t want to lose this game.”
Kovatch, who played in the WPIAL Class 2A semifinal golf tournament earlier in the day as the Leopards advanced to the finals, delivered the opening goal in the 26th minute when he sent in a penalty kick after a Mt. Pleasant foul near the top of the box.
The goal was the 45th of the season for Kovatch.
“I lined up, and (the keeper) was more on the left side,” Kovatch said. “I went right.”
Mt. Pleasant was surprised the foul was called but had numerous chances an the equalizer .
“The ref saw what he saw,” Vikings coach Floyd Snyder said. “It is what it is.
“We possessed well in the offensive zone and in the final third. We just couldn’t get one to go in. Our kids aren’t going to hang their heads.”
Yeschenko said his player was tripped at the top of the box, and the foul was called.
“We expected this to be a defensive game,” Yeschenko said. “Mt. Pleasant is really, really good in the midfield.”
Mt. Pleasant was much more effective on build-outs, sending 11 shots at keeper Bryce Burkhart.
But the Vikings could not break through to tie it.
Aiden Johnson had two breakaways, one in each half. The first was stopped by Burkhart, who made nine saves, and the other sailed high.
Burkart made a punch-save to deny Aydan Gross in the 60th minute.
Just before that, the Vikings hit the post.
The slanted field had a lot to do with Belle Vernon’s game plan to pack in the defense.
Brandon Yeschenko played a key role in the defensive assignment, as did Logan Metzger in the midfield.
“We sacrificed offense,” Al Yeschenko said. “We let them possess in the middle and we man-marked (Luke) Rivardo. We didn’t want him to beat us.”
Rivardo, who has 15 goals, was held to two shots.
Belle Vernon won the first matchup 1-0 on a goal by Kovatch.
Last year, the Leopards won the second meeting 2-1 on a penalty kick by Kovatch in overtime.
In the teams’ last four meetings, all won by Belle Vernon, they have combined for five goals.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Belle Vernon, Mt. Pleasant
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