Kiski Area beats Plum, rolls into WPIAL Class AAA girls soccer quarterfinals

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 20, 2018 | 10:57 PM

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The Kiski Area girls soccer team scored four goals or more seven times during the regular season.

The Cavaliers found the back of the net four times in the first half of Saturday’s WPIAL Class AAA first-round game against Plum at home.

The 4-0 final, Kiski’s fourth win in a row and sixth in its past seven, propelled the Cavaliers into the quarterfinals and a date with No. 2 Oakland Catholic.

“That offense is what I expect,” said Kiski Area coach Melisa O’Toole, who saw her team improve to 14-4.

“There’s been a couple of other games where we played that solid. That’s what I want to see out of those girls every game. If everyone plays well, that’s how we look.”

Junior Sidney Palla, still working her way back to full health after ACL surgery earlier this year, gave the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead 11 minutes into the game as she cleaned up a rebound of a shot from senior Allison Guido.

Two minutes later, junior Reagan Frederick, with an assist from Guido, made it 2-0 with the first of her two goals.

Junior Christa Palla got into the scoring act in the 18th minute, and Frederick capped the offensive output in the 34th minute off a feed from freshman Emerson Johngarlo.

“We had a good connection out there,” said Frederick, who provided a helper on Christa Palla’s goal. “It was easy to find each other and (put the ball in the net) because we were working so well together.”

Kiski Area, the No. 7 seed, will take play Oakland Catholic on Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.

Plum, which tied Trinity for second place in Section 3 behind champion Oakland Catholic, concluded its season at 12-7.

“They exploited some mistakes. We misjudged the ball a couple of times, misplayed some things, and they made us pay,” Plum coach Caitlin Schuchert said.

While the Cavaliers offense was proficient, the defense, including freshman goalkeeper Kira Brown, limited Plum’s chances.

A good scoring opportunity for the Mustangs came in the 24th minute on a direct kick from leading scorer Gina Proviano. The sophomore forward, however, was stoned by Brown, who knocked down the initial shot and then smothered the ball before a rush of Plum players could attempt a rebound.

Kiski Area tallied nine shots on goal in the first half but had only three in the second half.

“I am always proud of these girls, regardless of the outcome of any game,” Schuchert said. “They do what I ask and work hard. They kept up the effort in the second half despite the score. They didn’t give up, and that’s something they can be proud of.”

O’Toole said she is confident her team can continue to make a run if they play their best game.

“It will be crucial to come out strong Wednesday against Oakland Catholic,” she said. “Any team can get on a roll in the playoffs. We’re going to enjoy this win for a little bit, and then we’ll get back to business (Sunday).”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-388-5825, mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.

Tags: Kiski School, Plum