DeUnger scores 2 as Charleroi gets first playoff victory
CHARLEROI – McKenna DeUnger scored twice off of assists from Bella Carroto to lead third-seeded Charleroi to a 4-0 win over 14th-seeded Riverside in a WPIAL Class A first-round soccer match Tuesday night at Myron Pottios Stadium.
The pair of goals gives DeUnger 99 for her career – two behind Carroto – and the senior said the win was more important that getting her 100th goal.
“It was more important to get the win,” DeUnger said. “We have been working really hard since our freshman year, and we hope to make it further in the playoffs.”
Carroto, who now has 65 career assists and will play collegiately at Pitt-Greensburg, was also happy to get past the first round.
“We are all working really hard, and everyone is contributing,” she said. “When we do that, I think we can do great things and everyone is pulling their weight.”
Head coach Tom Cameron was happy with the win, but he felt the team left a lot of goals on the pitch.
“I’m happy and proud that our girls got their first playoff win,” he said. “We had so many opportunities, but unfortunately, we pressed and tried to play too fast.
“I can’t fault the girls for their effort. They got tired and the last 15 minutes, they played on the back of their heels.”
Rhianna Grogan opened the scoring for Charleroi (15-2) when she played a rebound and gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead with 29:02 to go in the first half.
DeUnger scored her two goals with 24:46 and 9:32 to go before the intermission, and the Cougars led 3-0 at the break.
Ella Sypolt closed Charleroi’s scoring with 25:57 to go off of Carroto’s third assist of the match.
Gi Finch scored for Riverside (4-9) with 1:04 remaining to get the Panthers on the scoreboard and avoid the shutout.
The Cougars finished with 27 shots, and off of Riverside’s six shots Charleroi goalkeeper Addison Conrad made five saves.
The Cougars host sixth-seeded Springdale (12-3), a 10-0 winner over Sewickley Academy (7-8), and Cameron knows it will be a tough matchup.
“You play better teams as you (move along),” he said. “They are a little faster and stronger and have kids who can move the ball a bit.
“I look for them to put more pressure on our defensive third than we had tonight. We have to play aggressive and fast and can’t diddly around on Saturday and have to come out from the get-go. We have to convert the chances we create and have to put the ball in the back of the net.”
The time and site for Saturday’s kickoff will be announced Wednesday.