Belle Vernon’s five-goal first half enough to hold off Trinity (Photo Gallery / Postgame Interview)

Photo courtesy of Ed Thompson

Belle Vernon and Trinity girls soccer teams have scored a lot of goals this year, combining for more than 150 tallies during the six-week sprint that was the 2020 regular season.

In the regular season finale for both playoff-bound rivals from Girls 3A, Section 2, and on senior night for the host Hillers, the high-scoring squads combined for eight more tallies.

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The Leopards raced out to the lead with an impressive five-goal first half scoring explosion.

“It was kind of similar game as our previous time we played them (a 6-2 BV win),” Lovett added. “Our first half we had the game tilted our way. We kept our shape. We didn’t force anything, but played well and didn’t force anything. But their keeper made a few nice save to keep them in it.”

Belle Vernon recorded two goals each for Farrah Reader and Izzy Laurita, plus one for Morgan Einodshofer.

“We’ve been fortunate,” Tracy Lovett, Belle Vernon Head Coach said. “We’ve have four players in double digits. When you have players like that, it puts you in a pretty nice spot to generate offensive chances.”

The Hillers showed plenty of resolve on senior night though. even as they were struggling to keep pace early in the match on the scoreboard, they were matching their rivals on 50-50 balls in what was a more physical battle.

Finally, in the 34th minute, Alyssa Cutter gave them some momentum, with her first goal, which narrowed BV’s lead to 5-1.

Trinity continued to play on the front foot for the remainder of the match, as Clutter added her second goal in the 53rd minute. With that goal, Cutter tied the school’s girls program’s all-time goal scoring record.

“They were a lot more physical today, and played much better in the second half,” Lovett said of Trinity’s effort in making the match competitive for 80 full minutes. “It took us off our game a little bit. When we played them the first time, I don’t remember that level of physicality.”

Despite a late push, tired legs and resilient Belle Vernon side held off Trinity’s push to complete the remarkable comeback.

With the win, Belle Vernon finishes the regular season second to unbeaten Connellsville in the section with a 10-2 section record (and 13-2 overall), while Trinity dropped to 7-5 in section (8-5 overall).

Both sides proved throughout the regular season and in the finale that they each have enough firepower to cause potential opposing defenses plenty of headaches come playoff time.

“We’ll take it one game at a time,” Lovett said. “I have a lot of faith in our team. Not only do we have a solid offensive team, but defensively too.”

“We’re ready!”

Ed Thompson Photo Gallery 

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Postgame Interview with BV’s Coach Tracy Lovett