Fast start leads Latrobe into WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals with win over West Allegheny

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, October 23, 2023 | 10:06 PM

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Latrobe gives out a hard hat for its player of the game, and, new this year for the playoffs, a dog tag for the toughest player of that match.

The piece of hardware the Wildcats really want, though, is one less win away.

Sixth-seeded Latrobe opened the WPIAL Class 3A girls soccer playoffs with a 3-1 victory over No. 11 West Allegheny on Monday night in a first-round game at Rossi Field.

A fast start keyed the Wildcats’ opener as they improved to 13-2 and earned a quarterfinal date at No. 3 Moon (13-1-2) on Thursday.

Emerson Shine and Robin Reilly scored in the opening six minutes as the Wildcats built a 3-1 halftime lead.

“We knew we had to take the game to them and play our style from the opening whistle,” Latrobe coach Jamie Campbell said. “The playoffs are all about experience and knowing what it takes. (West Allegheny) played tough and wasn’t going to let us have it.”

West Allegheny (10-7), which scored only 17 goals all season — Latrobe has 68 — sneaked one in on the Wildcats in the 33rd minute.

Latrobe had posted four consecutive shutouts.

Addison Kosenina came set from 40 yards out and delivered a high-arcing ball toward the net. Latrobe keeper Corrine Brunetto back-pedaled as far as she could go, but the ball went over her head as it died into the net to make it 3-1.

“(The fast start) helped us settle in,” said Latrobe’s Annalyse Bauer, who scored the third goal in the 20th minute, sending a dart top shelf behind Allyson Frueh, who made eight saves against 18 shots.

“We were a little frantic in the first minute or so. We felt like we had to keep going and try to shut them down.”

Bauer and Reilly each had a goal and an assist. Bauer had a couple of breakaway chances but could not get another one by Frueh.

Brunetto had one save, and it was critical.

Kylie Holtz found herself on a breakaway with four minutes to play, but Brunetto left the box and approached her, smothering the ball before Holtz could rear back for a shot.

Ava Yurko left the game in the first half with a right knee injury and did not return. She came back to play this season from a left ACL tear.

Campbell said this injury does not appear to be serious.

“When Ava left, we had to tuck it in a little more,” Bauer said.

As for the postgame awards, Maddy Petruzzi earned the player of the game and the hard hat, while Ava Lorenzi got to wear the inaugural dog tag around her neck.

Moon will be a challenge for the Wildcats, who will be seeking their second straight trip to the semifinals. Last year was their first final four appearance in school history.

“We have to come out fast,” Bauer said. “We feel like it’s a winnable game.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Latrobe, West Allegheny