Fox Chapel’s double-OT goal denies South Fayette WPIAL 3-peat
PITTSBURGH – Fox Chapel had only one chance to score in each of the two overtimes, but Lily McLaughlin made it count.
McLaughlin got a pass from Emily McKee into open space in the 18-yard box and put a shot in just underneath the crossbar with 1:38 remaining in double overtime to deny South Fayette an opportunity for a district 3-peat.
McLaughlin’s late tally propelled Fox Chapel to a 1-0 victory, the WPIAL Class 3A championship and some revenge.
South Fayette (18-2-2) beat Fox Chapel 4-0 in last year’s championship, but this time it was the Foxes (19-1-1) who were celebrating at the end of a long, rainy night at Highmark Stadium.
“I told the girls that they had no pressure coming into this game,” Fox Chapel coach Carlo Prati said. “It was the same thing when we won 4A (two years ago). We played against (North Allegheny) and everyone was saying they were going to three-peat. We didn’t have any pressure and we just had to play our game. We played a little more defensive, but we still had chance after chance.”
The Foxes won their third title. Both teams will continue into the state tournament next week.
Prior to the game-winner, Harper Zapf had a good scoring chance for South Fayette. She ripped a shot at goal from 25 yards, but Fox Chapel keeper Lia Pizzella made the save.
The Lions had a couple of other chances in overtime, but couldn’t find a goal.
“It was two great teams playing each other and I’m kind of glad it ended before penalties, but I wish we were on the better side of that one,” South Fayette coach Nick Rosser said. “We had some good opportunities to score, but we just couldn’t get that final punch in there.”
The game went to overtime in part because of an amazing save by each keeper.
In the 72nd minuteMcKee had a prime scoring chance for Fox Chapel, but South Fayette keeper Caitlyn Thompson made a kick save to keep the ball out.
Deramo put a strong shot on target in the final minute of regulation, but Pizzella made a diving stop and secured the ball, so there wasn’t a rebound.
South Fayette had the better of the play in the first part of the second half, but had a couple of good chances go wide.
Fox Chapel started to make its push in the final 20 minutes and got a free kick from a dangerous spot 23 yards out after a foul. Emily Wilkinson’s free kick went directly into the South Fayette wall, but the ball came to McKee in tight. She got off a good shot, but Thompson got her finger tips on it to make the save.
“Cailtyn made amazing saves all day,” Rosser said. “She made sure the ball stayed out, but we just couldn’t do our part on the other end.
Though possession was about even in the first half, Fox Chapel produced the more dangerous scoring chances
The Foxes had a free kick from 20 yards in the 12th minute. Taylor Wilkinson attempted to put it on goal, but her shot sailed over the crossbar.
In the 32nd minute, McKee made a run and got some space to get off a good shot at goal, but Thompson dove to get a hand on the ball and record a save.
The Foxes generated four corners to South Fayette’s two in the first half.
Thompson was active on Fox Chapel’s corner kicks, coming off her line to successfully punch two away from the goal.
Sylvi Rossi made a couple runs for South Fayette, but the Foxes defense successfully kept the dangerous chances to a minimum. Gabby Biencke attempted a shot from 30 yards with three minutes remaining until halftime, which was handled by Pizzella. It was South Fayette’s only shot on target in the first 40 minutes.