Norwin roundup: Boys soccer team gains momentum for playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 16, 2017 | 11:00 PM

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The Norwin boys soccer team appears to have hit its peak at the perfect time.

With the playoffs set to begin this weekend, the Knights are riding high after winning four straight games, including a 2-1 win last week over rival Penn-Trafford to clinch second place in Section 4-AAAA.

The playoff pairings were scheduled to be announced Wednesday.

On Thursday, Norwin (11-3-3, 8-2-2) took advantage of a Penn-Trafford red card with 33 minutes, 45 seconds left to seal a key victory.

“We knew we had them pinned down because they only had 10 players,” Norwin midfielder Luca Snyder said. “We kept pushing harder because they didn't have as many attackers.”

Though it took several chances to get the finisher, Snyder banged in a rebound with 17:14 remaining to propel Norwin to a 2-1 win.

“We wanted to get on a good winning streak at the end,” Norwin coach Scott Schuchert said. “We were playing good soccer, but you want to get rewarded with results. We left a couple results on the table in the midseason there. So I think that's what they wanted to do: leave no doubt and get a result (against P-T).”

Adding another win wasn't assured at halftime. The Knights were behind 1-0 and weren't having any luck breaking through against the Penn-Trafford defense.

Norwin made its move in the first 10 minutes after the half.

Matt Federovich tied the score when he booted in a ball after a scramble off a corner kick.

Federovich later had a strong opportunity in the box that was turned away by Warriors goalie Logan Kreutzberger.

Another one Kreutzberger stopped initially turned out to be the deciding goal. Snyder was waiting on the doorstep and pushed it into the net.

“I was proud we didn't get deflated after conceding the first goal,” Schuchert said. “We kept to it, and they eventually got rewarded with it. That's been our game plan: sticking to what we do best.”

Snyder believes Norwin can continue the good feelings.

“I think we're playing really well right now,” Snyder said. “Even with all the injuries, we're playing as a team and playing hard.”

Girls soccer

Second place in Section 4-AAAA wasn't what Norwin had set out for when the season began, but goals of WPIAL and PIAA titles remain.

Norwin hoped for a share of the section title, but a scoreless tie with first-place Penn-Trafford last week kept P-T (13-1-1, 8-1-1) behind the Warriors (13-2-1, 9-0-1).

The playoff pairings were scheduled to be announced Wednesday.

Against Penn-Trafford, it was game of close calls, clanks off goal posts and stellar goalkeeping left both teams with wobbly legs but also confidence. And the hopes they see each other again in the postseason.

Norwin was energized by the return of senior Alyssa Victor, who once was thought to be out for the season after hip surgery.

Penn-Trafford, which had a 12-game winning streak stopped, did not lose to the Knights in two more tries after that had been an annoying habit in the past. Instead, the Warriors claimed the section title for the first time since 2013.

On Sept. 25, Penn-Trafford rocked Norwin's season, toyed with its psyche even, when it stunned the Knights, 1-0, to end their 47-game regular-season unbeaten streak.

Norwin at the time was ranked No. 1 in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. The loss booted the Knights from the top 50 and they haven't sniffed the rankings since.

Back to No. 1 in the WPIAL, Norwin is getting healthier for the stretch run.

“Both sides played great soccer for 100 minutes,” Norwin coach Lauren Karcher said. “There is a lot to look at and work on, but at the end of the day, both sides played great.”

Football

Jack Salopek threw for 155 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown to Dylan Kantz as Norwin (4-4) edged Butler, 7-6, in nonconference play Friday night. Luke Michalek scored on a 1-yard run for Butler (2-5) later in the fourth quarter, but the Golden Tornadoes' 2-point conversion attempt failed.

The Knights are in fourth place in the WPIAL Class 6A Southeastern Conference and will be back in action Friday, hosting Central Catholic in a nonconference game.

Tags: Norwin