Moon Sweeps Past Montour To Advance to #PIAA Final (VIDEO)

The Moon girls team accomplished something that a number of other good high school teams this year weren’t able to do — beat its closest rival and an opponent its played four times in the same season when beating Montour, 1-0, on Tuesday at North Allegheny in PIAA Girls 3A Soccer semifinal.

HERE’s MY GAME RECAP – MOON GIRLS SWEEP INTO PIAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Two times in the regular season on the way to a section title, again in the WPIAL Finals, and again in the PIAA semifinals, the Tigers were just a step (or two) better than a very strong Montour team, dominating enough possession and creating more dangerous chances in each and every game.

It was a tough, and emotional loss for Montour to absorb a fourth loss to Moon, as you could see after the game, the sense of disappointment showed from coach Lee Coughenour and on the faces of his players.   The Spartans (18-4-3) didn’t lose to another opponent all season.   In fact, in the 21 other games they played, Montour only allowed three goals.   Against Moon though, the Spartans surrendered six tallies in four losses (2-0, 2-1, 1-0, 1-0).
For Moon Head Coach Bill Pfeifer, who has some talented players at the top of the attack in Delaney Snyder, Emma Thomas and Emily Orr, with role players in the midfield, back line along with goalkeeper Madison Sleva — they’ve shown few weaknesses.
After all, the Tigers have rolled through the playoffs only surrendering one goal in seven games — and that was on a PK.   Essentially, they haven’t given up a goal in the run of play through seven playoff games.
One more test awaits, on Friday in Hershey, against District 1 champs VIlla Joseph Marie.
 

John Krysinsky

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).