Bethel Park uses OT to get around upstart Latrobe boys soccer

By: Bill Beckner Jr.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 10:51 PM

Previous



Next

When Xavier Jackson took a tumble after getting fouled during the first overtime, he considered not going back into the game because he felt pain in his hip.

The Bethel Park junior forward quickly reconsidered, wiping the rubber pellets from the turf off his face and arms and checking back in for the start of the second overtime.

“I wanted to go back in,” Jackson said. “I wanted to play for our seniors. If we win this one, we knew we have at least two more games.”

Jackson scored the winning goal 3 minutes and 46 seconds into the second OT as No. 5 Bethel Park edged No. 4 Latrobe, 2-1, in a WPIAL Class 3A boys soccer quarterfinal on Wednesday night at Rossi Field in Latrobe.

“Xavier was frustrated,” Black Hawks coach Doug Fink said. “He’s our big gun, and he was looking to score all night. I told him to stay confident, and that we believed in him. In the playoffs, you might have your go-to player go 79, 80, 90 minutes without scoring. Then, all it takes is half a second for him to win the game.”

Junior Youssef Benrabia delivered the through ball to Jackson, who worked ahead of Latrobe’s back line, raced to catch up to the ball, and touched it over sliding Latrobe goalie Reece DiCasolo and into the cage to send Bethel Park (13-5) to the semifinals for the first time since 2013.

It plays No. 9 Hampton (12-3-3) or No. 1 Moon (19-0) in Monday’s semifinals at a neutral site.

Hampton and Moon will play Thursday after their game was postponed Wednesday because of lightning delays in the first game of a playoff doubleheader at Moon.

Latrobe (13-5-1) saw its best season come to an abrupt end after the Wildcats collected several quality scoring chances but could not produce a score in the run of play. Players held their heads and consoled one another as finality set in.

“It was on us,” coach Jake Rice said. “We didn’t create enough chances in overtime. (Bethel Park) likes to sit back and absorb pressure, then they hit you on the counter. That’s what they beat us with.”

The Wildcats, who never had been to the quarterfinals, earned their first-ever playoff win in the opening round 2-0 over Ringgold.

“I wish we could have kept going,” Rice said.

The Wildcats won their first section title, too. But the train stopped here.

“Both teams competed,” Fink said. “Hats off to Latrobe for turning things around. They’re one of the better stories (in the playoffs). Our kids wanted to keep playing.”

Both connected on set plays in regulation.

Latrobe scored first, taking the lead on a free kick from senior Roman Agostoni, the Wildcats’ all-time goals leader. His 33rd goal of the season was sent in from 24 yards in the 24th minute.

About one minute later, Bethel Park hit the equalizer off a corner kick. Junior Cooper Kicinski, who man-marked Agostoni, sent a low kick into the front of the net.

Junior Josh Pantin took the delivery, came set and beat DiCasolo top shelf to tie it 1-1.

After an uneventful first 15-minute overtime, the Black Hawks finally broke through in the second.

“It took guts and drive all around to get this win,” Jackson said.

Latrobe had eight shots to Bethel Park’s seven.

“It sucks to lose this one,” Rice said. “We didn’t deserve to lose. I thought we played well enough, we just didn’t finish like we can. Bethel Park found a way.”

Luke Rubican had four saves in goal for the Black Hawks.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at [email protected].

Tags: Bethel Park, Latrobe