Falcons fly high

Aug 30, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

Brownsville may have missed both extra points, but the Falcons scored a touchdown in each match while also earning two shutouts in defeating Laurel Highlands and Uniontown by scores of 6-0 on Saturday in the Fayette County Coaches Association (FCCA) Tournament at Mustang Field.

The Falcons qualified for the WPIAL Class A playoffs last year, and despite losing a large quantity of seniors to graduation, head coach Chad Rohland is excited for the upcoming season.

“We lost a lot of seniors, including our whole starting defense, but we have sophomores that are really good and really ready to play,” Rohland said. “We also have some really good freshmen coming in, so we didn’t skip a beat.”

Brownsville welcomes back sophomore Gloria Kovscek, who led the WPIAL in goals during the regular season with 36.

Kovscek recorded one hat-trick apiece in the two matches for six goals. Teammate Avianna Hernandez had a goal and two assists against the Red Raiders, and added a tally against the Mustangs.

Riley Rohland scored once against Uniontown and once against Laurel Highlands.

The Falcons’ Ellie Haddad had two assists against the Red Raiders, and a goal and an assist in Brownsville’s match against the Mustangs.

Addy Brown put in a goal against Uniontown. Teammate Maria Duda added a helper against LH.

Senior Ava Rohland returns at keeper. Rohland had back-to-back clean sheets in the FCCA Tournament. Sister Riley Rohland, who is a ninth grader, should be able to make an immediate impact.

Sophomore center backs Ari Johnson and Addison Burnsworth kept the ball out of danger to help Ava Rohland earn two shutouts.

The Falcons scored four goals in less than 15 minutes in their match against the Red Raiders (0-1-1). Brownsville extended its lead to six at halftime.

Rohland was able to use all his players, and was content to let the match against Uniontown end with 17 minutes remaining in the second half, as the Red Raiders were missing players, battling injuries, and had one substitute available.

“We were hoping to put the game away early so we could get some of our other girls in,” Rohland said. “I was glad to get all our girls in the game, which was important for them to play in a varsity match, but also to rest our starters for the second match against Laurel Highlands. It was a really hot and sunny day.”

Uniontown keeper Kendal Nehls made six saves. She denied Kovscek on a breakaway in the first half.

The Red Raiders played Beth-Center (0-1-1) to a 2-2 draw in their first match on Saturday.

Sadie Hostetler, who scored both goals for Uniontown, put her team in front, 1-0, in the first half.

The Bulldogs tied the match in the second half prior to Hostetler putting her club ahead at 2-1.

Tempers flared towards the end of the match as yellow cards were shown before Beth-Center leveled the match on a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box to steal a point.

Kendall Welsh was set-up by her sister, Rylee Welsh, and Marsala Formentelli scored on an unassisted tally for the Bulldogs.

Bentworth (2-0-0) and Laurel Highlands (0-2-0) opened play in the morning, and the defending WPIAL Class A champion Bearcats broke a 1-1 tie with five goals in the second half on their way to a 6-1 victory.

Brielle Dillon recorded a hat-trick and Bella Moyer scored from the penalty spot in the second half. Madelyn Johns and Megan Keturakis also scored for coach Tyler Hamstra’s squad. Joa Johns assisted on sister Madelyn’s tally.

“A big reason why we always come to this tournament is because of Laurel Highlands,” Hamstra said. “It’s a great game for us because they give us good competition and they are coached well. They are a AAA school and have always been a playoff contender. I was really happy with our performance.”

Bentworth plays its home matches on a grass field, but playoff matches, including the WPIAL championship at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh, are on turf, which is what the Bearcats played on Saturday at Mustang Field.

The opportunity to play on turf was important for Hamstra and his club, which is another reason to play every year in the FCCA Tournament.

“We always attempt to schedule non-section matches with bigger schools like Laurel Highlands to play on turf,” Hamstra said. “We have goals of qualifying for the playoffs and hopefully making a trip to the WPIAL championship game every year, so we want the girls to have that feel of playing on turf. We are one of the few sections where most home fields are grass. It adds a different dynamic.”

Dillon scored Bentworth’s lone goal against Albert Gallatin in a 1-0 victory. The match ended after Dillon’s second-half tally when a player for the Bearcats was shaken up after being injured and was taken off the field on a stretcher, but it was a precautionary measure.

“It seems like all the players are fine,” said Hamstra in regards to the injury. “We are thankful that it was a precautionary situation. Albert Gallatin felt that they would rather just call the game after the delay for the injury.

“We had several early chances in Game 2, but we reverted a little back to our non-consistent way. Brielle Dillon got us back on track with her goal a little bit after halftime. I am proud of the girls. They showed a lot of resolve and veteran leadership today. That is something we want to continue to build upon, and be a little bit smarter in front of goal.”

The Colonials (1-1-0) earned a 4-0 triumph over Beth-Center.