Norwin football captures milestone win against PT

Courtesy of an eye-opening win on Friday, Norwin football reached 400 victories in program history, the sixth school in Westmoreland County to reach the milestone. The homestanding Knights scored 20 unanswered points in the second half, highlighted by an 80-yard TD pass from Tristyn Tavares to Jake Knight, besting Penn-Trafford 26-14. In addition to his long strike, Tavares also produced a rushing score that gave the Knights the edge in the third quarter. Jackson Huss paced the Norwin ground game with 74 yards, while Jake Sincak added 68 yards rushing and a score. Evan Pfeifer booted two field goals for Norwin. Tasso Whipple accumulated 174 yards rushing and two scores for the Warriors, while also pacing the team with two catches for 48 yards. QB Jonny Lovre completed 10-of-19 passes for 117 yards and an interception.

Ansani to lead Burrell wrestling

Steve Ansani, who served as an assistant coach for Burrell wrestling, was hired as the head coach last Tuesday. Ansani takes the reins after Josh Shields stepped down in June. A 1978 Valley grad, Ansani guided the Vikings a decade ago. Shields has enjoyed nearly unparalleled success during his tenure. A Burrell alum, he guided the Buccaneers program for the past 11 years, capturing nine WPIAL Class 2A team titles, including this past campaign. He took over the program in the 2013-14 season, and helped the Bucs win championships in each of his first eight seasons. Shields was also a decorated wrestler for Burrell, compiling a record of 144-41 on the mat before his graduation in 2006.

Westmoreland dozen litter Rosensteel watch list

With the WPIAL girls soccer season just under way, a dozen players from Westmoreland County were recognized on the Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player Award watch list. The distinction recognizes the best girls player in the WPIAL, as determined by a committee of organizers, coaches, and media. Local candidates this year include: Greater Latrobe’s Annalyse Bauer, Maddy Petruzzi, Robin Reilly, and Ava Yurko; Rylin Bugosh of Mount Pleasant Area; Norwin’s Julia Bursick; Miley Kariotis of Burrell; Greensburg Central Catholic’s Riley Kerr; Abby Paterline from Franklin Regional; Penn-Trafford’s Rease Solomon; Kendalyn Umbel of Yough; and Grace West of Belle Vernon Area. The finalists and winner are likely to be announced during the WPIAL and PIAA postseason.

Scotties perfect start highlights boys soccer action

An array of Westmoreland County boys soccer teams opened their 2024 campaign over the weekend, with Southmoreland leading the way with a pair of impressive wins. The Scotties competed at the South Allegheny Tournament, blanking the host Gladiators 4-0 on Saturday, and following with a 4-2 triumph against Derry Area on Sunday. In the win against SA, Liam Smith, Ethan Kenney, Landon Delara, and Hunter Ryan all ripped the twine for Southmoreland. Ryan also scored against the DA, as did Connor Dillon and Hunter Ryan. A day prior, the Trojans edged Serra Catholic 3-2. Additionally, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Mount Pleasant Area, and Jeannette claimed wins over the weekend. The host Knights blanked Franklin Regional on Saturday, as Daniel Maddock tallied twice. The Warriors blasted homestanding Hempfield Area 9-1 on Saturday, as J.J. Porter had three goals for PT. Gavin Rummel netted a goal and a helper for the Vikings in Mount Pleasant’s 4-2 home win against Connellsville Area on Saturday. McAlister Steele had a goal and an assist for the Jayhawks in a 3-1 win against host Chartiers-Houston on Saturday, but Jeannette dropped a 3-0 outcome against McGuffey a day later.

UPG WSOC picked second; men tabbed fourth

The University of Pitt-Greensburg women’s soccer team was ranked second in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Coaches Preseason Poll that was released last week. The Bobcats fell behind only Penn State Behrend, which edged UPG in penalty kicks in the conference title match in 2023. Additionally, Bobcats junior forward Maya Wertelet was selected as the AMCC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The UPG men’s team was tabbed fourth in the conference, with Mount Aloysius College topping the rankings. Last year, the Bobcats fell to the Mounties in the AMCC semifinals.