NEW CASTLE —
The Mohawk High girls soccer team took a big step toward reaching the WPIAL playoffs last night.
Amber Dougherty scored a goal early in the first half and the Lady Warriors’ defense made it stand in a 1-0 WPIAL Section 1-A home win over Neshannock.
Mohawk (7-5-1 section, 8-6-1 overall) sits in fourth place in the section with one section game remaining. The Lady Warriors host Our Lady of the Sacred Heart on Saturday.
Four teams in the WPIAL in Class A from each section qualify for the district playoffs.
“It was a big game for us; it keeps us in the playoff hunt,” Mohawk coach Mike Shornack said. “I thought we would get fired up and we did. My senior captains (Dougherty and Katelyn Byers) get the girls ready each game and I can’t say enough about them.”
Mikala Mangino assisted on Dougherty’s goal.
Freshman goalkeeper Aliya Gage made 13 saves to preserve the shutout.
“Aliya is tough. She looks like a college player back there; she’s a good athlete,” Shornack said. “If you hold Neshannock to nothing, you’ve done a great job.
“This was a good defensive game. Corey Mitchell and Doreen Clark both played very well defensively for us.”
The Lady Lancers (9-4-1, 10-5-1) came in with second place already clinched. Sewickley Academy (14-0, 15-0-1) is the section champion.
“Mohawk definitely played a strong defense,” Neshannock coach Christine McConnell said. “Mohawk had a lot to play for; (last night) was important for them and we knew that going in. We played much better as a team in the second half.”
Rachel Iorio, a sophomore goalkeeper, made four saves for the Lady Lancers.
“Rachel definitely made some key saves,” McConnell said. “A lot of times she can step out and clear the ball for us. She’s always improving every game.”
Mohawk won the previous matchup with Neshannock, 2-0. The Lady Lancers’ regular season is complete.
“We’ll have a couple of practices this week and we’ll try to sort things out for the playoffs,” McConnell said. “We have the time to address our fitness and conditioning. Thankfully we don’t have any injuries.”
The playoff pairings will be announced Wednesday.
Girls volleyball
Lady ’Canes roll
Kennedy Hudson recorded 15 assists and five kills for New Castle in a 25-14, 25-19, 25-20 nonsection road win over Aliquippa.
Mackenzie Mastren scooped up 12 digs for New Castle, which is competing as an independent this season. The Lady ’Canes will shift back to the WPIAL next year.
Kayla Magusiak slammed seven kills with four aces for the winners, and Sarita Anderson added six aces and three kills. Shannon Dudich contributed five aces and three kills.
“I think it was a team effort (last night),” New Castle coach Michael Spelich said. “We started out a little disorganized, but we played well.
“We’re stressing picking up our intensity. If we can do that we’ll be more successful overall. We’re looking to continue this momentum into next week.”
Fall Sports Report
Related Photos
-
Neshannock's Angela DeBlasio battles against Mohawk's Melissa Verlotte to maintain possession of the soccer ball. Courtney Caughey-Stambul
Related Links
Discussion
Photo Gallery, Story: Mohawk soccer team nets big win
- Fall Sports Report
-
-
Neshannock pep rally fires up students, community
A bonfire lit the sky last night behind Neshannock High School. The school was holding a pep rally to celebrate the season of its red-hot football team.
-
PIAA Cross Country Championships: Laurel’s Emily Maxwell places fifth; local teams fare well
Laurel High’s Emily Maxwell paved the way for the county contingent competing at the PIAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday. Maxwell, a senior, placed fifth in the girls Class A race in 19:53.
-
WPIAL Soccer Playoffs: Mohawk girls fall in consolation game
The Mohawk High girls soccer team came up short in the WPIAL Class A consolation game Saturday. Shady Side Academy scored the game’s first five goals en route to a 5-2 win over the Lady Warriors at Baldwin High School.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Wilmington girls soccer team falls in District 10 playoffs
There will be no three-peat for the Wilmington High girls soccer team this year. The Lady Greyhounds dropped a 4-1 decision to Fairview in the semifinals of the District 10, Class A playoffs last night at General McLane High School.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Shenango girls volleyball teams bows out of playoffs
These wolves were too big and bad for the Shenango High girls volleyball team. The Lady Wildcats dropped their quarterfinal-round matchup in the WPIAL Class A playoffs, 25-17, 25-19, 25-13 to West Shamokin last night at North Allegheny High School.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Mohawk soccer team falls in overtime
For the second-straight match, the Mohawk High defense was perfect through regulation. Sewickley Academy needed a few extra minutes to capitalize. Last night in overtime, the Lady Panthers finally converted on one of their numerous scoring chances to post a 1-0 win over the Lady Warriors in a WPIAL Class A girls soccer semifinal at Ambridge High’s Moe Rubenstein Stadium.
-
Boys Soccer: Wilmington’s season comes to an end
A promising season came to a sour end for the Wilmington High boys soccer team last night. The Greyhounds mustered no offense and allowed two second-half goals in a 2-0 District 10, Class AA quarterfinal-round loss to Saegertown at General McLane High School.
-
Athlete of the Week: Laurel’s Emily Maxwell turns running joke into WPIAL gold
Emily Maxwell was focused when she reached the finish line at the WPIAL Cross Country Championships last week. So focused, in fact, that she missed one important thing — she won. “It didn’t hit me that I won until making the tape,” Maxwell said.
-
Hurricane Sandy: Storm postpones playoff action
Hurricane Sandy got the best of the playoff action Monday night. District 10 and WPIAL postseason games were rescheduled as the storm began to unleash its fury. The Wilmington High boys District 10, Class AA quarterfinal-round soccer matchup against Saegertown was moved to 5 p.m. Wednesday at General McLane.
-
Girls Cross Country: Wilmington qualifies for PIAA Championships
The Wilmington High girls cross country team didn’t let the conditions bother them Saturday. The squad just pushed through and qualified for the PIAA Championships.
- More Fall Sports Report Headlines
-
