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FINAL: North Allegheny 2, Peters Twp 1

Who:   Peters Township vs North Allegheny
What:   WPIAL Boys 4A soccer final
When:   Thursday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m.
Where:  Highmark Stadium
Watch/Follow:  TribHSSN / pghsoccerscribe (twitter) 
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE: 
9:41 p.m. – GAME OVER
NORTH ALLEGHENY 2, PETERS TOWNSHIP 1


The Tigers stun Peters Township — to win back-to-back WPIAL titles and 10th all time — with two goals in a one minute span in the 74th and 75th minutes.
I am heading down to get post-game reaction from the coaches and our player of the match. Full recap along with Long Hong’s photos to follow later tonight.
9:38 p.m. – Peters with free kick into box — but push off called (a good call) and now only 1 minute for stunned Indians to get equalizer
2-1 NA
9:32 p.m. – GOAL — don’t blink — NA strikes again!!  This time it’s Luchini to Yurick for the go-ahead goal. What a turn of events.


9:30 p.m. – GOAL North Allegheny – 1-1 — an OWN GOAL!


9:18 p.m. – PT’s Bryce Gablehart strikes one from 24 yards – that sails over bar.
9:16 p.m. – cross goes through box for NA — and comes to Jonathan Ross who’s shot inside near post is stopped by PT keeper Derek Deyarmin
9:12 p.m. – Luchini and Yurick again with diagonal ball through — and Luchini’s shot to near side — hits outside of goal.
9:07 p.m. – nice counter chance for NA — Luchini bangs one off bar after nice feed from Yurick
9:05 p.m. –  More of the same — NA continuing to create chances — and corners.
8:47 p.m. – HALF – Peters Twp. 1, North Allegheny 0
Peters showing how dangerous they can be when they get forward, but NA has controlled possession and been creating tons of corner chances.
8:46 p.m. – My unofficial count has @NABoysSoccer16 w/ 7 corners this half. Last one, Stephen w/ good look in box, but shot deflected by PT defender
8:44 p.m. – with three minutes left in half, Peters’ Anthony Kita issued a yellow card — down in far right corner. Not sure what it was about. PT coach Bobby Dyer not happy.
8:32 p.m. – man NA keeps coming and coming.
8:23 p.m. – NA has continued to apply a lot of creativity in attack and have set up a few corner kicks, despite some dangerous balls in, they haven’t been able to convert.
8:16 p.m. – GOAL – Peters, 1-0
Luke Kelly puts it home! A deep advance to the left end line is cut back — and Kelly beats everyone to ball for the early lead in the 15th minute.
8:10 p.m. — as I get settled in here — both teams getting forward with chances in the first 10 minutes. NA with nice combination with Josh Luchini sending short diagonal ball through to Cameron Yurick, but shot just goes over the bar. 10′
I’ll be at Highmark Stadium along with photographer Long Hong — as we’ll capture all of the action of tonight’s 4A final. You can follow updates here as I’ll post scores and other information as the game goes on.
PREGAME NOTES: 
Who can forget this moment last year?


North Allegheny is back, but last year’s surprising 4A WPIAL champs will have its hands full against a Peters Township team that hasn’t lost a game all season.
Yes – that’s right — Peters Township is the only unbeaten team in Class 4A — and as the case with many teams that have risen to the top in this classification in recent years, the Indians have seniors leading the way.
The talented Indians have outscored opponents 34-8  senior midfielder Bryce Gabelhart and senior forward Logan Brinsky, as well as senior midfielder Luke Kelly, a St. Francis (Pa.) recruit.
The Indians have won 16 straight — with its only blemish of its schedule being a 2-2 draw against Central Catholic.
North Allegheny returned many key players — and have had a healthy Josh Luchini this season as they took Section title. The Tigers had a few close calls in the first couple of rounds — squeaking by 15th seeded Connellsville in overtime, 1-0, on a Luchini goal. The Tigers finally exploded for a nine goal outburst to knock-out Canon-McMillan 9-0 in the semifinals.
Last year’s playoff hero, Sean Atwater — who buried the game winner from distance in OT to beat Seneca Valley in the 2016 WPIAL final, and also beat Pine Richland with golden goal shots from distance in the 2016 WPIAL semi’s and in the PIAA as well, has returned to a talented squad that includes all-section selections Sam Buirge, Nick Williams, and Gardner-Webb commit Grant Glorioso. 
 

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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