Oct 4, 2002 By The 6 min read

Mustangs clinch golf playoff spot for 9th year in a row

The Laurel Highlands boys golf team clinched a spot in the WPIAL team championships for the ninth straight year with a 183-201 win over Albert Gallatin at Duck Hollow G.C.

“I’m very pleased with our performance today,” said LH coach Don Crawford. A score of 183 ties LH’s best outing this season at Duck Hollow. LH’s best round of the season was a 180 against Brownsville at Carmichaels G.C.

Brandon Katzeff scored the only under-par round with a 33 to take home medallist honors, while teammate Jarred Detweiler finished three strokes behind. LH golfers Brian John, Chris Bonchosky, Cory Chrise and AG’s Drew Callahan tied for the third spot with 38s.

LH wrapped up sole possession of second place with the win against AG and is looking forward to the season-closer against Uniontown on Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. at Duck Hollow.

“I’ll be very pleased if we shoot a 183 against Uniontown next Wednesday and continue that type of play into the WPIAL playoffs the following week,” added Crawford.

Eric Brooks finished behind Callahan for AG with a 39 while Josh Oros and Ron Ferlin tied with 40s.

“After we shot a 194 at Connellsville, I thought that we would shoot better today,” said AG coach Bernie Wydo.

“Sometimes, we just don’t step up against good teams.”

Albert Gallatin will end their season against Belle Vernon on Oct. 8.

“Overall, my season was pretty successful and hopefully down the road, we can continue to promote pride in the program,” added Wydo.

Belle Vernon 206, Connellsville 212 – Joe Pirilla picked up medalist honors, firing a 2-over-par 38 to lead the Leopards past the Falcons in Division I, Section 2 action at Willowbrook Golf Course.

Bret Herspold was a close second at 39, followed by Marcus Wilson (41), Jason Westlager (43) and Dave Surovchak (45).

Jeff Nicholson’s 39 led Connellsville (5-10, 3-9), with Jordan Craig next at 40. Greg White and Mike White both shot 43s, with Nathan Pritts rounding out the top five with a 47.

Belle Vernon improves to 4-10 overall and 4-7 in section play.

Bentworth 209, Beth-Center 214 – Beth-Center’s Chris Sckena and Benthworth’s Nick Thompson tied for the top spot with a 38, but the Bearcats edged past BC in Division II, Section 2 action.

Bentworth’s Adam Molesky and BC’s Aric Ilko finished second with 42s and there was a four-way tie for the third spot with Bentworth’s Jason Molesky, Derek Dykins, Bill Reed and Beth-Center’s John Prekrel (43).

“I was very happy with how the team played today,” said BC coach Gene Fox. “Even though we knew that Bentworth had clinched, our guys still came to play.”

BC will scrimmage Carmichaels on Monday, play Monessen on Tuesday at Nemacolin C.C. and end their season at home on Wednesday against Charleroi.

After losing to Charleroi earlier in the season, coach Fox is “looking forward to a rematch at home.”

California 199, Jefferson-Morgan 216 – California (12-1, 13-1) remained tied with Waynesburg Central atop Division II, Section 8 with a strong performance against Jefferson-Morgan.

Freshman Chad Kokoska took home medallist honors with a one-under par round 36.

California’s Tony Lent shot one stroke off the leader, teammate Mike Bayer and J-M’s Chris Griedel followed (39).

“Our guys played their average round today,” said California coach Bill Fabri. “We’ve played three matches in a row, so we’re tired right now.”

“The idea is to make both teams better,” added Fabri.

“Both teams were very professional and that’s important.”

California will meet Brownsville on Tuesday at Carmichaels G.C.

Carmichaels 201, Brownsville 215 – Carmichaels bettered their section record to 6-7 with a win over Brownsville in a Division II, Section 8 match at Carmichaels G.C.

Carmichaels’ Sean McCombs and Brownsville’s Ryan Bashour tied for medallist honors (38).

“We played real well today and it’s our second lowest round of the season,” said Carmichaels coach Tom McCombs.

Earlier this season, Carmichaels shot a 196 against Waynesburg Central in a losing effort.

The Mikes will finish the section on Tuesday against Geibel Catholic.

West Greene 202, Mapletown 210 – Ryan Koffler shot the low round for West Greene with a 36, teammate Justin Allen and Mapletown’s Joe Clites tied for second place with 38s and Chris Boord rounded out the top three for Mapletown (42).

Mapletown will play Jefferson-Morgan on Oct. 8 at Greene County C.C.

Girls volleyball

Albert Gallatin 3, Uniontown 2 – Jessica Condoluci had 19 service points, six kills and 10 assists as Albert Gallatin (2-7, 5-9) defeated Uniontown in Section 6-AAA action.

The scores were 15-11, 16-14, 14-16, 7-15 and 15-10.

Shaniqua Williams added 18 service points and six kills and Cassie Crilly had 15 service points.

AG will host Laurel Highlands on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Geibel Catholic 3, Jefferson-Morgan 1 – Geibel remained undefeated in Section 5-AA with a win over Jefferson-Morgan on the road (16-5, 14-16, 15-1, 15-10).

Kristin Hozak led with 18 service points and 31 assists and Jessica Vilella added 13 service points.

The Lady Gators (8-0, 13-4) will participate in Our Lady of Sacred Heart tournament on Saturday.

California 3, Avella 0 – Cassie Wolpink led with 11 service points and Mary Jo Bilitski added 10 service points and eight kills as California defeated Avella in Section 4-A.

The scores of the games were 15-4, 15-5 and 15-2.

“They played well today,” said California coach Cindy Rohaley. “Next week will be difficult with Canevin on Monday and Beth-Center on Tuesday.”

Beth-Center 3, Chartiers-Houston 0 – Jennifer Paroda had 13 service points and Breanne Bell added 10 as Beth-Center blanked Chartiers-Houston (15-0, 15-4, 15-0).

Boys soccer

Laurel Highlands 1, Bethel Park 0 – Ryan Fiano scored the only goal on a free kick for Laurel Highlands with 15 minutes remaining as the Mustangs defeated Bethel Park in a Section 4-AAA match to solidify their hold on third place.

LH goalkeeper Paul Briczinski had nine saves in recording the shutout.

Bethel Park’s Tom Korhnak had four saves.

Laurel Highlands is now 9-4-1 overall and 8-3 in the section, while Bethel Park falls to 6-8-1 and 6-5 with three games remaining.

The Mustangs trailed Mount Lebanon (13-2, 10-0) and Baldwin (10-3, 8-2) in the standings heading into Thursday’s action.

McKeesport 3, Uniontown 1 – Adam Payla scored Uniontown’s lone goal with four minutes left as the Red Raiders dropped to McKeesport.

Keith Hasselhoff scored two goals for McKeesport and Rob Scalise also scored on a penalty kick.

The Red Raiders (2-8, 2-9) were out-shot 14-10. Josh Skuarla had 11 saves at goal.

Men’s soccer

Gannon University 4, California University of Pa. 2 – Nicholas Addlery scored both of California’s goals, but they fell short against Gannon University.

California (5-6) will play host Wheeling Jesuit on Sunday at 7 p.m.