LH blanks Uniontown in girls soccer
Holly Tonini
Laurel Highlands’ Grace Chambers scores the first goal of the game against Uniontown, Saturday, at Mustang Stadium. Chambers scored two goals in Laurel Highlands’ 5-0 victory.
Laurel Highlands' Marissa Fiala (20) dribbles the ball around Uniontown's Kali Ternitsky (33) during Saturday's non-section match at Mustang Stadium.
Uniontown's Kali Ternitsky (33) reaches high to keep the ball away from Laurel Highlands' Brynn Lilley during Saturday's non-section match at Mustang Stadium.
Laurel Highlands' Gianna Mollica (6) and Uniontown's Abigail Marinucci fight for control of the ball during Saturday's non-section match at Mustang Stadium.
Grace Chambers scored twice in the first half and Laurel Highlands limited Uniontown to one shot on goal in a 5-0 Mustangs win over the Red Raiders in non-section girls soccer Saturday at Mustang Field.
Chambers got goals at the 34:19 mark and again, with an assist from Marissa Fiala, at the 10:59 mark.
Brynn Lilley got a goal with 16:21 on the first-half clock and LH led, 3-0, at the break. The Mustangs got second half goals from Fiala with 22:39 remaining and Erin Egnot on a penalty kick with 11:28 left for the win against their cross town rivals.
Laurel Highlands improved to 4-10 by getting its fourth shutout of the season. Uniontown fell to 1-14 and managed only one shot on goal against LH.
“We are definitely relentless on offense,” said LH girls coach Dave Sohyda. “But we’ve done very well on defense all season, as well. That’s the way we like it.”
The Mustangs had numerous other chances on offense, but had many shots go above the crossbar and clang off the football goalpost. Uniontown goalie Lindsey Merschat stood tall, despite giving up all five goals. She finished with eight saves.
“That is true, our goalie is very good and she played a solid game today,” said Uniontown coach Kofi Koranteng. “But, Laurel Highlands is very good on offense and we have many injuries this year.
“The injuries have left us with only one substitute, so that makes it tough for us. I think by next year, we’ll do much better and give Laurel Highlands a better game.”
“Uniontown is getting better,” Sohyda said. “Their coaches are making strides with those girls.”
Sohyda said his team plays both ends of the field and prides itself on defense.
“We are a patient team on offense,” he said. “When we get an opportunity on offense, we will take it. We like to play both ends of the field.”
Laurel Highlands competes in Section 1-AAA, while Uniontown plays in Section 4-AA. A realignment will be done after the season, with LH possibly coming down to Class AA.
“We don’t know where we’ll be next year, but this is a good game for us to play, regardless of alignment,” Sohyda said. “This is a rivalry and these girls all know each other, so it’s good to be able to play them.”
Both teams return to section action Monday, when Laurel Highlands travels to Latrobe and Uniontown is at McGuffey.