Underdog Kiski Area comes up short this time

Tri-State Sports & News Service

Playing the underdog role in the WPIAL playoffs was nothing new for Kiski Area. As the No. 14 seed last season, the Cavaliers stunned the No. 3 and 6 seeds on the way to a firstever semifinal appearance.

So even though Kiski Area found itself as the No. 16 seed a year later, the Cavaliers believed they had a chance against No. 1 Seneca Valley.

“I knew the power of the underdog was on our side,” coach Sean Arnold said. “Half the team experienced that last year. We knew we had a chance. A 1 percent chance, but that’s all we need.”

This time, the Cavaliers came up just a bit short, falling to Seneca Valley, 2-1, in a Class 4A first-round game Saturday.

Kiski Area gave Seneca Valley all it could handle, a surprise to many considering Seneca Valley entered the game undefeated and ranked in several national polls.

Seneca Valley had posted 11 shutouts in a row, but Nick Bono ended that run by converting a penalty kick in the closing minutes of the first half that tied the score, 1-1.

The score remained that way until Seneca Valley’s Matt Happ scored the winner with five minutes left in the game. Kiski Area had two corner kicks in the final minutes, but could not capitalize.

Kiski Area, which was making its ninth consecutive playoff appearance, finished 8-8-3. The Cavaliers will graduate six senior starters, including standout goalkeeper Nick Bisceglia.

Freeport

Two tweets from goalkeeper Austin Uric told the tale about Freeport’s Class 2A first-round game against Beaver. Before the game, Uric tweeted “Today’s the day.” Afterward, he tweeted “... just like that it’s all over.”

Freeport was on the wrong side of one of the biggest upsets of the first round, as the No. 3 seed Yellowjackets were handed a 32 loss by No. 14 Beaver.

It was a devastating defeat for Freeport (14-3-1), section champ for the first time since 1999. Freeport raced to a 2-0 halftime lead behind two goals from Bryce Hanby, who led the team in scoring this season with 25 goals. But Beaver used a furious second-half rally to claim the victory. Mike DiCola netted the winner with five minutes left.

Serra Catholic

In Class 1A, Serra Catholic nearly pulled off a shocker, but the No. 14 seed Eagles (7-10-2) were edged by No. 3 and defending PIAA champion Sewickley Academy, 3-2, in overtime. In a game coach Chad Bruns called his team’s best of the season, Serra got goals from Zach Bauerle and Nate Lentz, the second of which came with three minutes left in regulation. Sewickley Academy’s Tommy Lasorda scored his second goal of the game in the second overtime to give the Panthers the win. Brandon Borek scored a team-high 12 goals for the Eagles this season.

South Fayette

South Fayette was the only defending champ ousted in the first round. The No. 11 seed Lions (8-101) lost to No. 6 Moon, 2-1, in Class 3A. Matt Thomas gave South Fayette a 1-0 lead with two minutes left in the first half.

However, Moon scored a minute later and again midway through the second half. Matt Cillo led the Lions in goals this season with 10.