Bayne’s FG gives Panthers narrow win against Wildcats

Joey Bayne’s field goal in the fourth quarter provided the only points in a crucial Westmoreland County football showdown on Friday, as Franklin Regional edged Greater Latrobe 3-0. Bayne’s kick spanned 22 yards with 4:59 left in the contest, and the Panthers’ defense made it stand, posting the shutout. Thus, FR moves to 1-0 in the Class 5A Big East Conference, while Greater Latrobe drops to 0-1. Kyle Dupill enjoyed a strong outing for the homestanding Panthers, as he amassed 161 yards on the ground. On the other side, Alex Tatsch had 10 carries for 112 yards for the Wildcats, but lost two fumbles.

Trio of Westmoreland boys soccer teams top sections

Three Westmoreland County boys soccer teams are still perfect in section matches, as Norwin, Greater Latrobe, and Mount Pleasant Area have positioned themselves as contenders in their respective classifications. The Knights sit at 3-0-0 in Class 4A Section 1, notching a pair of section victories last week. Last Tuesday, host Norwin edged Pittsburgh Central Catholic 3-2, as Daniel Maddock scored all three markers. Two days later, the Knights overwhelmed Gateway 6-0, as Maddock scored two goals and added an assist, while Logan Plichta registered a goal and two helpers. Norwin capped its stellar week with a 3-0 win at Penn-Trafford in nonconference play on Saturday. Similarly, Greater Latrobe won three matches last week, including victories against Penn-Trafford and Franklin Regional to move to 5-0-0 in Class 3A Section 3. On Tuesday at home against the Warriors, the Wildcats prevailed 1-0 as Roman Agostoni scored a goal, assisted by Warren Agostoni, and Reece DiCasolo earned the clean sheet. On Thursday at Franklin Regional, GL scored a 2-1 triumph, as Roman Agostoni tallied twice. The Wildcats capped off their week with an 8-0 road victory against Mount Pleasant Area in a nonsection battle. That loss did little to damper the successful week for the Vikings, though, as Mount Pleasant Area moved to 5-0-0 in Class 2A Section 4. Last Tuesday at Greensburg Salem, the Vikings scored a 2-0 triumph, as Tyke Snyder and Jarrett Garn both found the back of the net and Grayson Gardner registered the shutout. On Thursday, Mount Pleasant rolled to a 5-0 home victory against Waynesburg Central, as Lukas Showman and Grant Zahrobsky each contributed a goal and an assist.

Williams, Dusi, Hoffman win tennis sectionals

Three Westmoreland County girls tennis standouts won their section competitions last week, earning spots in the WPIAL singles championships. In Class 3A Section 1, Penn-Trafford junior Amelia Williams cruised to the crown at Franklin Regional High School. Williams prevailed 10-0 against both Aubree McClean of Connellsville Area and Hempfield Area’s Jordyn Corona, and she swept Norwin’s Bayleigh Vilage 6-0, 6-0 in the semis. In the title match, she knocked off Franklin Regional’s Michelle Yan 6-1, 6-1. Both finalists, as well as third-place finisher Carlin Bukovac of Greater Latrobe and Vilage all advance to the WPIAL competition. In Class 2A Section 1, Greensburg Central Catholic senior Sasha Hoffman took first place. She opened the tournament at Valley High School with a pair of 10-0 wins against Greensburg Salem’s Anna Spigarelli and Melody Marsh of Derry Area. In the semifinals, Hoffman blanked Mount Pleasant Area’s Ryleigh Drzal, and she repeated the feat in the title match against Derry Area’s Paige King. Third-place finisher Bella Fullman of Mount Pleasant Area joins Hoffman and King as qualifiers for the WPIAL event. In Section 2, Belle Vernon Area’s Gabriella Dusi rolled to the title. The Leopards junior blanked both Nicole Camargo of South Park and McGuffey’s Hailee Kay 10-0. Dusi followed with a 6-0, 6-0 win against Oakland Catholic’s Luciana Easly, and bested her Eagles teammate, Mollie Sclichter, 6-0, 6-0 in the title match to secure her spot in the WPIAL tournament. The WPIAL Class 3A and Class 2A Singles Championships are slated for this Wednesday and Thursday.

Phillips' late score carries Griffins to thrilling win

Todd Phillips hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jake Cruz with nine seconds left to give Seton Hill University football a 15-14 win at Bloomsburg on Saturday. With the win in the PSAC crossover clash, the Griffins improved to 1-2 on the season. Trailing 14-3 entering the fourth quarter, SHU scored a pair of touchdowns, the first of which came on a 1-yard run by Ky’Ron Craggette, who rushed 27 times for 110 yards and caught seven passes for 32 yards. Cruz finished 17-of-30 passing for 201 yards and a score, while Cody Rubrecht posted three receptions spanning 65 yards. Ritchie McCormack paced the Seton Hill defense with 10 tackles and two sacks.

Saint Vincent football rolls to first win

Saint Vincent College football notched an impressive 41-20 road victory at Allegheny College on Saturday, as the Bearcats evened their mark at 1-1 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). The Bearcats outscored the Gators 27-0 in the second quarter to gain command. Israel Reed went 13-of-17 for 187 yards and two touchdowns for SVC, while Billy Beck and Dontae Sanders each compiled 95 yards rushing and a score. Defensively, Wiley Purry registered 10 tackles and an interception, while Robbie Labuda snagged two picks.