SV ready to party
JACKSON TWP — Griffin Mathew and the Seneca Valley boys soccer team got their partying out of the way Tuesday night.
Behind three goals from senior forward Gage Bitzer, Seneca Valley rolled to a 6-0 Section 2-AAA win over Hampton at NexTier Stadium.
The Raiders' focus turned to Butler.
Seneca Valley needs a win Thursday on the road against the Golden Tornado, or a North Allegheny loss, to clinch the section crown.
“Butler destroyed our hopes last season in the playoffs, beating us in overtime,” said Mathew, who registered two assists. “We want to end the season strong and destroy them.”
The Raiders, who are 10-1-1 overall and 9-1-1 in section, lead North Allegheny by a half-game with one section game remaining.
Seneca Valley coach George Williams doesn't expect any let up from the Golden Tornado, who were eliminated from the playoff chase with a 3-0 loss to North Hills.
Williams said the strength of the section didn't allow the Raiders an opportunity to coast at all.
“There is not, no,” Williams said. “This is the biggest break we've had all season. We happened to catch Hampton off a little bit. They have a lot of weapons.”
The Raiders' weapons gave Seneca Valley its biggest offensive outburst since a 6-0 win over Norwin Sept. 4.
Seneca Valley finished with 21 shots, including 16 on goal.
“The players always get way up for Senior Night,” Williams said. “Everyone comes in up for the game ready to play. I wasn't surprised we were looking sharp from the beginning.
Bitzer's hat trick was the first of his career. He headed in a cross from Mathew to put Seneca Valley ahead 1-0 with 17 minutes, 42 seconds remaining in the first half.
“We passed the ball well, possessed it and waiting for opportunities to come out way,” Bitzer said. “We finished when we did.”
Fifty-nine seconds later, Bitzer scored again, this time blasting a shot that went under the crossbar. Mathew again set Bitzer up with a pass.
Mathew, a senior defender, likes sending the ball into the box to create chances.
“My runs I usually go out to the wings because I can out-run most people,” Mathew said. “Then I whip it in and someone like Gage can get a header on it.”
The Talbots (3-11-1, 2-9-1) couldn't clear a corner and scored an own goal with 12:39 left before halftime. Seneca Valley's Dylan Grubbs got the goal.
After halftime, Bitzer headed a ball that hit off the post and snuck in to put Seneca Valley up 5-0 and give him a hat trick.
“It was exciting,” Bitzer said. “I didn't think I was going to score. Then the first one went in and the second one, I figured I'd get the third one eventually.”
Matt Saluga and Macen DiPaolo also scored for the Raiders. Luke Pecora made five saves to earn the shutout for Seneca Valley.
