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PSN Featured Game: Pine-Richland 2, North Allegheny 1 – FINAL

File photo courtesy Ed Thompson
WPIAL Boys Soccer — Class 4A — Section 2

North Allegheny (2-0-0, 0-0-0 in section)

at

Pine-Richland (1-0-1, 0-0-0 in section)

Watch/Listen on Pittsburgh Soccer Now YouTube Channel

LINK TO PSN CHANNEL

Preview

Section play begins for Section 1 rivals North Allegheny and Pine-Richland on Thursday evening as Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s Matt Popchock will be on the call with the play-by-play on PSN’s YouTube channel and Ed Thompson will provide photography from Pine-Richland Stadium.

North Allegheny and Pine-Richland kick off another season of what should continue to be brutal competition in what many believe is WPIAL’s most difficult and challenging section from top to bottom.

WPIAL Boys Soccer Standings (2020)

North Allegheny, with long-time coach Bobby Vosmaer at the helm, finished second to WPIAL and PIAA champions Seneca Valley in 2020.

Pine-Richland have been trying to turn things around, but getting back to the playoffs has been a challenge in this grueling section since Jordan Wiegand took over the program in 2019.

Wiegand’s had success in building Deer Lakes (twice) and North Catholic into perennial contenders. He’s now confident that the Rams are ready to challenge for one of the top four spots in Section 1.

“Its been a struggle. It takes time to instill a winning culture. We’re still young in many positions. But this year’s group is great. We’re all on the same page.”

Wiegand boasts the return of seven starters, including three seniors.

“Its a matter of time before we break through, and I’m hopeful that this is the year.”

Wiegand said that playing NA is always a tough match because they can possess but also be successful by playing direct.

In non-section play over the weekend, NA easily defeated Southmorelandand Latrobe while Pine-Richland faced lower classification contenders North Catholic (3-0 win) and Winchester Thurston (2-2 draw).

Looking Back:

In 2019, we spotlighted the Tigers-Rams rivalry in a PSN Featured Game at the end of the 2019 season.

North Allegheny edges Pine-Richland, 1-0, in 2OT


this section, no game is a gimme,” Bobby Vosmaer, North Allegheny’s coach, said. “They (Pine-Richland) showed why they’ve done a good job, from where they started this season.”

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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