Peters Township wins Class AAA in shootout

Thursday, October 30, 2003

By Colin Dunlap, Tri-State Sports & News Service

It took awhile, but Peters Township was able to do something last night that no WPIAL team had done this season -- beat Fox Chapel.

The Indians (23-2) won the shootout, 3-1, to defeat Fox Chapel, 2-1 in a shootout, to win the WPIAL Class AAA championship in front of more than 1,200 fans at Shaler High School. In the penalty-kick shootout, Indians goaltender Jordan Marks made two saves, and Fox Chapel missed another attempt.

Fox Chapel was the No. 2-ranked team in the country in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

"I just think our kids battled and battled," said Peters Township coach Rob Eldridge. "Our guys just stayed in control of their emotions and played within themselves. This win blazes a trail for soccer at Peters Township. Our kids have proven they can play with anyone."

Fox Chapel (20-1) took the play to the Indians, dominating most of the first half.

With 47 seconds left in the half, senior forward Steve Warden beat Marks to put the Foxes ahead, 1-0. On the play, E.J. McCormick sliced 40 yards through the Indians' defense before getting the ball to Warden.

With 19:22 to go in the game, Peters Township knotted the score, 1-1, with the first goal against the Foxes since September. Chris Wilcox took a pass from Eric Floyd and beat goalie Ted Sheedy inside the far post.

Peters Township squandered a great chance with 7:02 left, when Nick Cattaneo broke free behind Fox Chapel's defense. He hit a low shot had the makings of the winning shot, but Sheedy fully extended to his right and was able to knock the ball down and cradle it one motion.

Fox Chapel could have won with 45 second remaining in regulation, when McCormick beat Marks, but Peters Township defender Brian Silfee swooped in and cleared the ball off the goal line.

Class AA

Moon 2, Thomas Jefferson 1: Moon's shutout streak ended, but the Tigers' defense was good enough to shut down the two-time defending WPIAL champions.

Despite giving up a goal for the first time in the past 13 games, Moon beat Thomas Jefferson last night at Elizabeth Forward for the school's first WPIAL championship since 1991.

"We were able to neutralize their offense," Tigers' coach Arne Thomas said. "Our defense did a great job."

Thomas praised defenders Adam Lippencott, Matt Smith, Eric Hamilton and Greg Lani for shutting down one of the WPIAL's most powerful teams, allowing only three goals in three wins against the 2002 PIAA champion Jaguars.

Lani scored off a Dan Ros corner kick 20 minutes into the first half, but Thomas Jefferson retaliated when Penn State recruit Rich Costanzo scored five minutes into the second half. It was the first goal against Moon since a 1-1 tie Sept. 23 with Quaker Valley.

"I was most proud the way we bounced back after allowing that first goal in so long," Thomas said.

Junior John Morihlatko scored the winning goal with six minutes left. He converted a Derek Jochman pass into his 38th goal this season.

Moon (20-1-3) will play the District 10 runnerup and Thomas Jefferson (16-8) will face the District 9 champion Tuesday in the first round of the PIAA playoffs at sites and times to be determined.

Class A

Greensburg Central Catholic 1, Trinity Christian 0: Greensburg Central Catholic won its first- WPIAL title with a victory against Trinity Christian.

Greensburg Central Catholic (20-1-0) scored the only goal 12 minutes in after junior Jeff Farrell took a crossing pass from Ian Ramsay. It was Farrell's 47th goal this season.

Trinity Christian (18-3-0) missed three great opportunities to tie the score in the next 10 minutes.

"It's always tough to have to play from behind," Trinity Christian coach Dave Schenk said. "We missed some opportunities and had to press a little and were taken out of our game."

Both teams qualified for the PIAA playoffs.

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