Girls’ volleyball
ALVERTON – For the most part, the Section 6-AAA girls soccer race has become a four-way battle for three playoff berths between Belle Vernon, Southmoreland, Connellsville and Waynesburg. Monday night, Southmoreland (6-1, 6-1-1)) maintained its second-place position behind Belle Vernon with a 4-0 win over visiting Connellsville (4-3, 7-4).
The Lady Scotties started with a head of steam, sending seven shots on Lady Falcon goalkeeper Jessica Ohler in the first eight minutes.
With defensive help from Brittney Guess, Ohler was equal to the task until Aryn Askin sent a drive into the net with 28:54 gone in the half off an assist from Jessica Skovira.
Just over seven minutes later, Jessica Skovira headed the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Connellsville coach Jeff Puskar later said both goals were results of defensive mistakes by his team. “It could have been 0-0 at the half, and I’d have liked that score,” he said.
Southmoreland got an early second half goal when Jessica Kern put a shot inside the right post 2:35 into the half.
Hayley Skovira scored the game’s final goal on a rebound at 17:16 after Ohler made a save in close.
The Lady Scottie defense allowed only six shots to get to goalkeeper Amanda Gross, whose best save came on a free kick by Guess from 25 yards out with seven minutes left in the game.
Jessica Dolde had another late chance for Connellsville, but her shot skidded just wide of the net.
Ohler made 10 saves for Connellsville before teammate Ashlyn Fratto came in to tend the net and made three saves.
A perennial playoff qualifier for five of six years in Class AA, Southmoreland is seeking its first post-season berth in three seasons at the AAA level.”
Coach Brian Shrum said such an achievement would be “quite an accomplishment. We have the second lowest enrollment in Class AAA after Keystone Oaks.”
Shrum said the Lady Scotties must take care of business at Waynesburg on Wednesday if they want to challenge Belle Vernon for section honors on Saturday at home.
Puskar sees the race shaping up as Belle Vernon and Southmoreland in the first two playoff positions. “Waynesburg (away) is the game we have to win. No one can beat Belle Vernon and Southmoreland is good. It’s between us and Waynesburg (for third place.”