Last-second finishes becoming normal for Highlands boys soccer

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 17, 2018 | 11:36 PM

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Highlands boys soccer coach Brad Walker said the past week was pretty emotional for his players because of several dramatic finishes.

• The Golden Rams scored with 13 seconds left in regulation to tie section rival Knoch last Tuesday before winning in overtime.

• After rallying from a two-goal deficit against Indiana two days later, Highlands couldn’t finish the comeback as the Indians produced the winner in the closing minutes of the second half.

• The Golden Rams bounced back Saturday and upended Hampton, No. 4 last week in the TribHSSN Class AAA rankings, by a 1-0 score in double overtime.

Excitement turned to heartbreak and went right back to exhilaration in the span of five days.

“It was the most electrifying week of soccer I’ve ever been a part of,” Walker said. “My heart can’t take it.”

Highlands is right in the mix for its first trip to the WPIAL playoffs since 2004, and the Golden Rams have turned things around from just three years ago when they went 0-14 in Walker’s inaugural season.

“The program has really matured over the past several years with good leadership,” Walker said.

Last year, Highlands went 8-9-1 overall and finished a game out of a playoff spot at 5-7 in Section 1.

“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” junior midfielder Dan Signorella said. “We have the talent and skill. Why can’t we make it to the playoffs?”

The first cycle of section play concludes this week. The Golden Rams, 3-2 in section, are back at it Tuesday evening at Kiski Area.

The Cavaliers also are 3-2 in the section. They scored a 1-0 win last week against North Hills and doubled up Knoch 4-2 on Saturday to keep pace.

“(Tuesday) is another big game,” Walker said. “They’re all big from here on out. The guys have seen these teams, and they know what they are all about. Now it’s about finishing a full 80 minutes each time, not making late errors and putting the ball in the net.”

Everyone is chasing section leader Mars. The 5-0 Planets meet Hampton (4-1) on Tuesday in a battle for first place.

Highlands’ overtime triumph Saturday snapped Hampton’s four-game winning streak.

“That win was a real confidence boost for the rest of the season beating a top-ranked team,” Walker said. “If we lost that game, we wouldn’t be in control of our own (playoff) destiny. As long as we can keep it going, we don’t need help from other people.”

Sophomore Gabe Norris scored the winner against the Talbots, and he also netted the winner against Knoch.

Norris has a team-best six goals this season.

“We kept their attacking players in front of us and didn’t let them get behind us to many times,” said junior goalkeeper Gabe Anthony who made 12 saves in Saturday’s shutout.

“When they did get behind us, we got back well and regained possession. For all the effort we put into that game, it was an amazing feeling to win it.”

Last year, Highlands split with Hampton as each won on its home field.

“We’re learning with each other more and just playing better as a team,” said senior forward Kolbe Palermo, who assisted on Norris’ goal Saturday.

Palermo and senior defenders Gerald Butler and Aidan McIntire were on the winless team as freshmen in 2015.

“They’ve stuck with it and seen it turn around by leaps and bounds,” Walker said.

Highlands hosts Armstrong in a section matchup Thursday before next Tuesday’s rematch with North Hills. The Golden Rams topped the Indians 3-1 when the teams met Sept. 4.

“We have to keep together and not get down when something doesn’t go our way,” Anthony said. “We have to keep moving forward no matter what happens. There are a lot of games left, and we can do some good things.”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-388-5825, mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.

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