Oct 25, 2018 By Bill Hughes for The 3 min read

MCMURRAY — Charleroi dominated South Park for 80 minutes Thursday and did not give up a shot on goal as the Cougars advanced to the WPIAL Class AA semifinals with a 4-0 win.

“I am very happy with how the team played,” said Charleroi coach Jon Ducoli. “We are known as an offensive team but we didn’t give up a shot the whole match and the defense takes pride.

“Nick (Goodwin) didn’t have to make a save and that is a good problem to have as a keeper.”

Charleroi (18-0) controlled the contest as it took 12 shots and South Park (12-5-1) did not have any.

The high-octane Cougars had four chances to score in the first half, but they could not find the back of the net and beat South Park goalkeeper Casey Jones.

Ducoli said that the team was not worried about not scoring in the first half.

“Our game plan is to put the other team on their heels, but South Park is well-coached and very organized,” he said. “We had jitters, but we knew it was a matter of time.”

South Park went on the offensive during those opening five minutes of the second half, and Nate Kacey took the Eagles’ first shot of the match with 38:40 to play.

Cullin Woytovich broke the scoreless tie with 26:56 to play as he gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead from 19 yards out as he shot the ball and it crept inside the post.

Woytovich said he knew it was only a matter of time before the team would get it going offensively.

“Once we scored the first goal, it gets us ready and going,” he said. “Even though we were shut out in the first half for the first time all season, we dominated play and now we have to keep going.”

The Cougars extended their lead with 14:57 to play when Jace Kepech scored on a penalty kick.

Charleroi was awarded the kick when Woytovich was dragged down in the goalie’s box.

The Cougars put the match out of reach a little more than a minute later when Kepech scored off of an assist from Woytovich with 13:14 to go.

Phil Banks added a goal for Charleroi with 8:21 to play, and the throng of Cougar fans celebrated in the stands as the outcome was decided.

Fourth-seeded Charleroi moves on to the semifinals to take on top-seeded Quaker Valley, and both teams are now guaranteed at least two more matches, win or lose.