Blue Devils hold off Connellsville, 3-2
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
The Falcons’ Luke Peperak (8) pushes the ball deep into Mt. Lebanon territory as the Blue Devils’ Peter Garlitz (22) trails the play during Monday’s WPIAL Class AAA first round playoff match at Connellsville Stadium.
The Falcons' Ethan Price (16) runs down a loose ball in Mt. Lebanon territory during the first half of Monday's WPIAL Class AAA first round playoff match at Connellsville Stadium.
The Falcons' Dom Prestipino (29) dribbles into the field with Mt. Lebanon's Andy Kirk (8) defending during the first half of Monday's WPIAL Class AAA first round playoff match at Connellsville Stadium.
The Falcons' Luke Peperak maintains control of the ball as teammate Ethan Price (16) and Mt. Lebanon's Brady Napolean (15) watch the play in the first half of Monday's WPIAL Class AAA first round playoff match at Connellsville Stadium.
Mt. Lebanon's Danny Simboro (10) attempts to maintain control of the ball while being pressured by the Falcons' Luke Peperak during the first half of Monday's WPIAL Class AAA first round playoff match at Connellsville Stadium.
CONNELLSVILLE — The Falcons’ late charge fell one goal short Monday night as visiting Mt. Lebanon ousted Connellsville in the opening round of the WPIAL Class AAA boys soccer playoffs, 3-2, at Connellsville Stadium.
The Blue Devils (7-11-1) advance to play top-seeded Seneca Valley (15-2-1) on Thursday at a site and time to be determined.
The Falcons end the season with an overall record of 14-5.
Connellsville was unable to get its offense into a flow in the first half with Mt. Lebanon clogging up midfield. Then, when the Blue Devils gained control of the ball they were able to sustain pressure on Falcons goalkeeper Gabe Kemp and his defensive backs.
Mt. Lebanon broke the ice 5:20 into the first half when Giuseppe Croce was fouled in the penalty area and awarded a penalty kick. Croce buried the shot for an early 1-0 lead.
The Falcons managed to work the ball into the offensive zone as the half progressed, but it was the Blue Devils who lit up the scoreboard when Jack Remark cut into the middle of the field and rifled a shot from atop the penalty area. The ball sailed into the upper left quadrant of the goal past a diving Kemp.
“We gave them a penalty kick to start the game off,” said Connellsville coach Jason Rice. “We didn’t give them a whole lot of chances, but they capitalized on the one chance they had. They countered on our mistakes. They’re too good.
“We didn’t attack like we normally do. We usually get started early and attack right away.”
Luke Peperak gave the vocal home crowd something to finally cheer about when he drilled a long shot into the back of the net with only 1:57 remaining in the half.
Kemp made a couple stellar saves in the second half as Connellsville tried to amp up the offensive pressure, but Mt. Lebanon managed to crack the Falcons’ defense when Zach Nellas drilled a shot through the defense with 25:24 left in the match for a 3-1 lead.
The Falcons did not go away meekly, though. Their pressure finally produced a goal when Anthony Rowan headed the ball to himself, settled his dribble and hit the back of the net with 4:59 left in the match.
Connellsville’s attempts for a tying goal in the final five minutes were stymied by the Mt. Lebanon defense.
“We tilted the match a little bit, but we didn’t tilt it enough,” said Rice. “They don’t ever quit.”
Tyler Anderson (striker), Zachary Hammerle (defender), Ethan Price (striker), Seth Traynor (defender), Kemp, Gavin Wood (striker), and Garrett Brighton (striker) played their final matches for the Falcons, although a large core of the squad returns next year.
“We have a pretty good mix coming back,” said Rice. “We continue to grow.”