Westmoreland soccer preview capsules: Games for Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 | 3:47 PM

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WPIAL soccer playoffs

Boys

Class 3A

Quarterfinals

5-Belle Vernon (15-2) at 4-Avonworth (15-2-1)

7 p.m. Thursday

Winner plays: Winner of 8-Keystone Oaks (12-5)/1-South Park (19-0) Monday in semifinals

Players to watch: Bryce Burkhart, Belle Vernon; Rowan Carmichael, Avonworth

Throw-ins: After regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods, Belle Vernon needed penalty kicks to edge past No. 12 East Allegheny in the opening round and extend its winning streak to eight. Trevor Kovatch and Brandon Yeschenko had goals in the opening 80 minutes before Kovatch, Evan Metz, Bryce Burkhart and Jackson Coneybeer made their PKs in the shootout. Burkart is the goalkeeper. Kovatch has 48 goals this season. … Rowan Carmichaels had two goals and an assist to help power Avonworth past McGuffey in the first round. Nate Kline also had a goal for the Antelopes, while Calder Mahan, Eli Whalen and Abdul Shuaib provided assists. Avonworth is on a nine-game winning streak.

Girls

Class 3A

6-Latrobe (13-2) at 3-Moon (12-1-2)

7 p.m. Thursday

Winner plays: Winner of 7-Montour (13-2-3)/2-Plum (16-0-1) Thursday in semifinals

Players to watch: Ava Lorenzi, Latrobe; Serayah Leech, Moon

Throw-ins: Latrobe is aiming for a second straight trip to the WPIAL semifinals. The Wildcats scored twice in the opening six minutes and held off No. 11 West Allegheny, 3-1, in the first round. Robin Reilly and Annalyse Bauer each had a goal and an assist, and Emerson Shine also scored for the Wildcats, who have 68 goals this season. … Highly touted Moon, in search of a WPIAL championship three-peat, pushed past No. 14 Connellsville in the first round with a big second half. After a 0-0 first half, Marina Mollica, Alexandra and Sydney Felton scored goals in a 3-0 win. Goalkeeper Serayah Leech recorded her 50th career shutout. The Tigers have 14 shutouts and have only allowed two goals all season, both to South Fayette.

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

Tags: Avonworth, Belle Vernon, Latrobe, Moon