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Monday, September 26, 2022 | 6:09 PM
Following a winless 2019 season and a complete of 4 wins in 2020 and 2021 mixed, shedding the primary three video games of this season made it appear to be one other lengthy fall was forward for West Mifflin soccer.
Nonetheless, these Titans determined that latest struggles weren’t going to outline them. After a Week 3 victory over Ringgold, West Mifflin opened up Class 3A Western Hills Convention play Friday with a bang.
West Mifflin made the lengthy trek to Beaver, surprised the No. 3 Bobcats in time beyond regulation after which loved each mile on the return again dwelling.
“We’ve got a workforce that’s rising and maturing proper in entrance of us,” West Mifflin coach Rod Steele stated. “They’re having an understanding of what our ideas are and they’re enjoying collectively as a unit.”
Steele stated he was not involved along with his workforce’s begin as a result of regardless of some key accidents, he thought the Titans have been enjoying aggressive soccer in opposition to some elite groups in McKeesport, Elizabeth Ahead and Thomas Jefferson.
“If you happen to return and recap these video games, we have been down by 12 proper earlier than halftime in opposition to McKeesport, within the EF sport, its 15-7 on the half earlier than that sport bought away from us, and even within the TJ sport, it was 10-0 at halftime.”
After shutting out one other outdated convention foe, Ringgold, in Week 3 for the Titans’ first win of the season, West Mifflin opened up convention play in opposition to Beaver, which had gained its convention opener the earlier week, was 3-1 general and had gained three straight.
The Bobcats jumped out to an early landing lead earlier than a pair of DelRon White landing runs within the second quarter gave the Titans the benefit.
White added a 3rd landing, however West Mifflin trailed, 24-21, late within the fourth quarter when senior kicker Nick Kosuda tied the rating with a 29-yard area purpose.
The one factors of time beyond regulation got here on a fourth scoring run for White, a junior operating again who rushed for 206 yards on 35 carries.
“DelRon’s a horse,” Steele stated. “He’s 220 kilos and a 350-pound bencher who can run. Give some credit score to the blokes up entrance getting off the ball and doing the issues we needed to do to maneuver the sticks and get the ball in the long run zone.”
One other problem lies forward for West Mifflin. On Friday, the Titans will play for first place within the Western Hills Convention after they host Avonworth (2-0, 4-1).
WPIAL Week 4 Honorable Mentions
North Hills Indians
Highschool soccer isn’t horseshoes, neither is it hand grenades, so shut doesn’t rely. Ethical wins or good efforts by no means change a victory in the case of attempting to makes the district playoffs.
North Hills is aware of all about shut. The Indians got here near tasting victory in three of their 4 losses heading into Week 4. However in a battle of the Indians in opposition to host Penn Hills, North Hills didn’t blink after falling behind and ended up pulling out an enormous upset win in time beyond regulation.
Senior quarterback John Inexperienced rushed for a team-high 76 yards and threw for less than 90 yards, however three of his completions went for touchdowns, together with one in time beyond regulation as North Hills worn out a 20-0 second quarter deficit to stun 5A No. 2 Penn Hills, 27-26, in OT.
Belle Vernon Leopards
Now enjoying in Class 3A and ranked by most because the workforce to beat, Belle Vernon started its powerful four-week nonconference schedule with a win in opposition to Laurel Highlands in Week 1. The Leopards then dropped back-to-back video games in opposition to McKeesport and defending 5A champion Penn-Trafford.
The duty to keep away from a 3rd straight loss heading into 3A Interstate Convention play was a tad daunting as Belle Vernon hit the street to sq. off with former convention rival Thomas Jefferson in Week 4.
Any Leopards’ shaken confidence issues have been returned to sender thanks partly to a 97-yard punt return within the opening quarter by Belle Vernon junior Quinton Martin that bought the ball rolling in a 3rd straight win for BVA over TJ, 21-7.
Monessen Greyhounds
It appeared just like the stage was set for a Week 5 battle of the unbeaten showdown within the Tri-County South Convention between upstart Mapletown and California.
The one drawback is, no person notified Monessen of those midseason plans between the Maples and Trojans. Whereas Mapletown did its half in Week 4 with a formidable win over Carmichaels, California was surprised by the surging Greyhounds.
Monessen overcame 5 turnovers by scoring 16 factors within the third quarter and holding on from there at hand California its first lack of the season, 28-20. The Greyhounds have now gained three straight and are 2-0 within the TCS after profitable solely three convention video games a 12 months in the past.
2022 HSSN Groups of the Week
Week 3 – McKeesport Tigers
Week 2 – Ellwood Metropolis Wolverines
Week 1 – Bethel Park Black Hawks
Week Zero – Mars Fightin’ Planets
Tags: Belle Vernon, Monessen, North Hills, West Mifflin
