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WPIAL Soccer

FINAL: West Allegheny 1, South Fayette 0

PSN’s Featured High School Game

presented by Steel Town Auto Sales and Advanced Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

South Fayette vs West Allegheny

(WPIAL Boys 3A non-section match)

at West Allegheny High School, Saturday, September 8, 11 a.m.

2nd half notes:

Early After Fiordilino cuts inside defender, ball is knocked away, then Dragisich unleashes a shot from 24 yards that forces a save from SF’s keeper Rodgers.

South Fayette earns a corner as Gavin Eldridge gets forward and ball is knocked out. West A counters after corner cleared away. But SF does a nice job to slow down Jaxon Ervin who runs into wall of defenders. (52′)

South Fayette have been playing deeper in second half — bunkering in and waiting for counter chances now. West A still trying to penetrate wall of white shirts (63′)

The Lions finally get a few chances going forward, as Chad Eldridge gets consecutive shots from 20 and 17 yards out — and each time putting it over bar.

Bit of a wild sequence there — as Rodgers comes way out to clear ball away — and goes to WA’s Blunkosky who redirects it on goal from way out — but SF’s defender Sanders clears ball heading toward goal away
(70′)

With under seven mins remaining — @WestABoysSoccer earns a corner as ball is poked away from Nathan Dragisich and goes out end line. Johnny Dragisich takes well played corner -but no one there to connect
(76′)

GOAL – WEST ALLEGHENY – 1-0 (77′)

Evan Blunkosky breaks the tie!
Short free kick in box from Farelli — couple of bounces and it was Blunkosky who beats SF keeper Rodgers for the goal!
1-0 WA

1st half notes:

West Allegheny came out in the early going using the width — primarily on the right side to forward to create a few chances.

Evan Blunkosky was on the receiving end of a few of the early advances. In the second minute, South Fayette’s keeper Daniel Rodgers beat him to a through ball. Blunkosky created a shot from the edge of the box in the fourth minute, with a left-footed chance that Rodgers dove to his right to secure.

As the first half wore on, South Fayette started to get more comfortable and began to connect more passes to create a few chances.

Held in check for much of the half, West Allegheny’s Nathan Dragasich was working in the role of play maker – in the 35 minute took a ball in to the top of 18 — finding Fletcher Amos on the right side. Amos’ ball in was deflected — and shot from distance sails over bar hitting football post crossbar

SOUTH FAYETTE STARTING XI

0 – Daniel Rodgers (GK)

2 – Josh Heineman

3 – Zachary Weis

6 – Michael Gates

8 – Ethan Bollinger

10 – Gavin Eldridge

11 – Chad Eldridge

12 – Max Snodgrass

18 – Jackson DeWitt

20 – Colin Martinic

22 – Ethan Sanders

WEST ALLEGHENY

2 – Nathan Dragisich

6 – Benjamin Farelli

7 – Gavin Chappel

9 – Fletcher Amos

10 – Gabe Haines

11 – Antonio Fiordilino

17 – Jaxson Ervin

19 – Braden Wurst

21 – Evan Blunkosky

22 – Justin Shayltar

PSN Coverage team

Matt Gajtka – play-by-play on Facebook Live (on Pittsburgh Soccer Now Facebook page)

Ed Thompson – photography

John Krysinsky – reporting

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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