Upper St. Clair Girls Soccer - WPIAL Champs!

The USC girls claimed the WPIAL Class AAA soccer championship by beating Peters 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers scored first. Hannah Zangara worked hard in front of the Peters net to earn a corner kick. Carley Bogan served up a beautiful corner to the six yard line. Katey Woistman headed the corner home to put the Panthers up 1-0 only four minutes into the game. Peters scored about 10 minutes later off a rebound from a direct kick. It appeared there was contact between a Peters player and USC keeper Jocelyn Alfera—but not call was made. 

With eight minutes left in the half, Peters scored again off of a corner. Again there was contact in front of the goal. The refs conferenced, but again, no call was made and the goal counted. 

With only three and a half minutes left in the first half, the Panthers scored the equalizer. Olivia Belack passed to Carley Bogan who beat her defender, and the keeper, and buried the ball into the back of the net. Sammi Witsberger went down right before the end of the half with a lower leg injury and would not return. The well-played first half ended 2-2.

The Panthers suffered their second game-ending injury less than two minutes into the second half with Katey Woistman injuring her knee. The Panthers would not be denied. With 17 minutes left in the half, defender Val Repischak carried the ball down the left side as she had many times this year. Saturday was different,  however, instead of chipping the ball in, she decided to shoot. She connected with the ball from about 40 yards from goal and put it over the keeper's head for what would be the game winner. Ask what she was thinking when she shot the ball, Repischak said, "I was just hoping it would go in." 

As an aside—I told my daughter before the game that I thought someone different would score—maybe Val Repischak. It was Repischak's first goal of the year and
it could not have happened to a nicer, more humble person. She has a story for her kids and grandkids for the rest of her life. 

St. Clair still had to weather Peters potent attack for the last 17 minutes of the game. Peters put in more attackers and had a few good chances, but the Panthers defense was solid. 

USC now turns their attention to the state tournament. They likely will play Penn-Trafford on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at a place and time to be determined.

Also, congratulations to the USC boys who are also claimed the WPIAL championship by beating Peters, 2-1.

USC rules the soccer world.