Karns City girls soccer’s pressure can’t pop Sewickley Academy in PIAA first-round loss

November 04, 2025 Last Updated: November 04, 2025 11:17 PM Sports

Karns City senior Sophia Bonetto (24) passes the ball against Sewickley Academy in a PIAA Class 1A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle

Eddie Clancy

KARNS CITY — Karns City frantically tried to even the score in a last-gasp effort.

But the Gremlins couldn’t deposit their second goal with the final half minute leaking from the clock, dropping a 2-1 result in Tuesday’s PIAA Class 1A first-round girls soccer playoff game against visiting Sewickley Academy.

“Just trying to get the ball forward,” Karns City coach Tracy Dailey said, giving a glimpse into her thoughts as time ticked down. “That’s what you want. You’re pushing, you’re pushing, you’re pushing. ... We tried to push a few more people up a little before that to give us an opportunity. The momentum was there. We just didn’t capitalize.”

Panthers (19-2) coach Gary Weber was holding his breath, hoping time would run out on the Gremlins’ threat.

Junior Carleigh Lucas’ 54th-minute marker from 25 yards out gave Karns City life after going down 2-0.

“Late in the game, obviously, you tend to seem to be a little bit back on your heels, especially when other teams are pressing,” Weber said. “They’re a very athletic team, very dangerous up top. They run a lot of diagonals in there, and they’re looking for those players on the headers and they drive a lot of really good balls into the box.

Karns City's Carleigh Lucas (8) celebrates with her teammates after scoring against Sewickley Academy in a goal in a PIAA Class 1A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle

Eddie Clancy

“A little concerning there from our point, but our girls, they stayed organized and they took away those gaps.”

Sewickley Academy was fielding the same back line as it had last season. Weber said the team had all but two players from a year ago. The experience was key as the hosts bombarded the Panthers’ side for a good portion of the match.

Sewickley did more with its chances, however.

The Panthers went up on Emma Eannarino’s late-first-half marker, then, less than five minutes into the second, Mackenzie Dice booted a ball Gremlins goalkeeper Giada Bonetto appeared to have clutched while laying on the ground after diving to her left.

“It came across. I think it was Emma (who) slotted it across and Mackenzie Dice was there to finish it off,” Weber said. “So she was in the spot where she had been. We practice all the time about slotting balls through. ... She was there and tucked it away.”

Despite having been the more dangerous team on the night, Karns City heads home with an 18-4 final record.

“It doesn’t matter how many chances you have. If it’s not in the back of the net, it doesn’t matter what the scorebook says,” Dailey said.

Sewickley faces Springdale, which beat Windber 2-1 in overtime, in Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Eddie Clancy

Karns City defenders Sophia Bonetto (24) and Layla Colsey (20) stop a Sewickley Academy player in a PIAA Class 1A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle

Eddie Clancy

Karns City head coach Tracy Dailey talks to the players at halftime while facing Sewickley Academy in a PIAA Class 1A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle

Eddie Clancy