Raider boys soccer routs Norwin, 5-2
PITTSBURGH — Many WPIAL soccer fans were probably banking on the Class 4A boys final between Seneca Valley and Norwin to be a low-scoring game.
The Raiders shattered those expectations and their onslaught began just seconds into Saturday's contest.
Junior forward Luke Rupert dealt the Knights a quick deficit by scoring in the first minute of play. It was the first of three goals scored in the first half by the Raiders, who went on to thump Norwin, 5-2, at Highmark Stadium.
It is the most goals scored by one team in a WPIAL boys championship game, in any class, since Peters Township defeated Upper St. Clair 5-1 to claim the Class 3A title in 2014.
“We weren't expecting things to happen the way they did,” said SV coach George Williams. “We knew Norwin had a tough road to get here. They're a strong team and we respect them.”
It is the first district title earned by SV's boys. Their only other appearance in the final came in 2016 when SV fell to North Allegheny.
Saturday's victory was long-awaited for by Williams, who took over the program in 1995. But he deflected the attention toward his players.
“We are very lucky, very blessed to have the players we do,” he said. “I give them all the credit. There's nobody that believes he's better than anyone else. It's a true team.
“To see how proud and excited they are, it's great.”
Rupert's early tally, his first of two on the day, came with just 38 seconds gone from the clock.
“Everyone was bunched up at the top of the box, at 18 yards out,” he said. “I was about six yards in front of that and figured I'd take my shot and see what happened.
“We are a very hard-working team offensively and we knew we had to score the first goal.”
The Knights (17-3-1) found themselves facing a rare early hole and things were about to go from bad to worse for them.
In the 14th minute of play, A.J. Mills scored for a 2-0 edge. The Knights answered with Carter Breen's score two minutes later, but the momentum gained was fleeting.
Just 46 seconds after closing the gap, the Knights were again down by two goals thanks to a goal from SV's Jackson Wotus.
“Getting down early like we did was not something we planned for,” said Norwin coach Scott Schuchert. “There's usually a feeling-out period when teams are used to defending more than attacking, but Seneca Valley got opportunities and they capitalized on them.”The Knights changed formations to try and get back into the game.“We had to make some adjustments because they threw a lot at us,” said Williams, “but we come from a section where you have to battle every second.”Rupert scored his second goal early in the second half, in the 49th minute. Zach LaValle capped SV's surge with a goal in the 61st minute.“There were no breakdowns on our part,” said Schuchert. “Every goal Seneca scored was superb.”Norwin's Jake Nebinski scored with just over two minutes left in the game.Norwin keeper Kyle Krotec had six saves in the game. Senior Will Gallagher stopped five shots for SV.“This is a really good feeling,” said Gallagher, “especially since it's the first one (WPIAL title) on the boys side at our school.”Coming down from such an emotional high may seem difficult, but the Raiders know there is still a lot to play for.Seneca Valley (17-2-1) will face Hempfield (14-5), the District 3 fourth-place team, in the first round of the PIAA playoffs Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.“We'll be ready,” said Rupert. “We're not done.”
