USC Girls Soccer Clinches Section Championship

The USC girls soccer team won their most important game of the year Wednesday night to claim first place in Class AAA Section 5. 

The Panthers avenged their only loss by beating the team that beat them earlier this year. USC fans were a bit worried after Moon scored only ten minutes into the game, but this year's Panthers would not be denied. 

Five minutes after Moon scored, Hannah Jane Wilhelm headed in a pass from Hannah Jane Zangara to knot the score at 1-1. Seven minutes later, Zangara scored on a headed pass from Wilhelm. Carley Bogan started the play with a purposefully directed kick behind her head to Wilhelm who headed to Zangara who finished. 

The USC fans breathed a bit easier—but only a bit, as the half ended 2-1.

Twelve minutes into the second half, USC fans erupted after a great display of teamwork. Zangara took the ball down the left side, passed the ball to Bogan in the middle who quickly passed to Wilhelm on the right who drilled the ball by the Moon keeper to go up 3-1. 

Nine minutes later, Katey Woistman served a great ball into Bogan, who had more speed that the Moon defense. Bogan took the pass in stride and beat the keeper to score St. Clair's fourth goal. 

Moon had a good chance to get a goal back with five minutes left on a direct kick from just outside the 18, but Jocelyn Alfera made a great diving save to spoil any thoughts of a comeback. 

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the USC players and fans erupted in celebration. The only thing the Panthers lost tonight were a few tears in this emotional win.

USC are section champs for the first time since 2004. They finish with a section record of 11-1. 

The Panthers (14 -1 overall) have two more very tough non-section games remaining at Peters on Oct. 15 (PG No. 1 ranked Class AAA team) and hosting South Park (PG No. 2 Class AA team) on Oct. 19.

Wednesday night's section win should give the Panthers a high seed in the WPIAL playoffs and a potential match with a third place team in another section, possibly Hempfield, Latrobe, Pine-Richland, Gateway or Oakland Catholic. 

The entire team had another great effort tonight and seems to be peaking at the right time. I have not seen a more talented and skilled team in the WPIAL. Panthers fans are hopeful for a deep run in WPIAL playoffs and onto the PIAA championship. 

Congratulations Panthers—Section Champs!