Bill Beckner stories, Page 15

WPIAL soccer playoffs Class 3A Semifinals 7-Franklin Regional (12-3-2) vs. 6-Mars (14-1-4) 6 p.m. Monday, Dormont Stadium, Dormont Winner plays: Winner of 5-Bethel Park (13-6)/1-Moon (20-0) Oct. 31, Nov. 1 or Nov. 2 at Highmark Stadium in championship Corner kicks: Franklin Regional is in the semifinals for the sixth time...

It happened again. And this playoff bracket-buster was even more impressive than the first one. Determined, fearless and firm in its game plan, Burrell knocked the No. 1 out of Mt. Pleasant, upsetting the top-seeded Lady Vikings on their home turf for the second straight season in the WPIAL Class...

Southmoreland football coach Tim Bukowski was glad to hear his team had clinched a WPIAL playoff spot, but discouragement already had set in. His sigh said it all. “We’re in trouble,” Bukowski said Friday night after his team lost at Greensburg Salem, 28-21. “I don’t know what we’re going to...

Norwin senior basketball player Bella Furno announced a commitment to Division II West Virginia Wesleyan. Furno, a 5-foot-8 swing guard, was a key contributor to last year’s WPIAL Class 6A championship chase. She often came off the bench to give the team a spark. Furno also had a Division II...

With its first winning season since 2011 secured, Greensburg Salem is ready to take the next step. The question is, will the WPIAL think it deserves to? Southmoreland, on the other hand, is playoff bound but isn’t sure if it will have a full lineup next week after a blitz...

Virginia, they say, is for lovers. Hempfield’s Lauren Howard loved everything about the University of Virginia, where she has verbally committed to play softball in college. Howard, a junior, plays third base for the Spartans. She made an instant impact as a freshman and has become a regular in one...

WPIAL soccer playoffs Girls Class 2A Quarterfinals 9-Burrell (12-5-1) at 1-Mt. Pleasant (15-1) 1 p.m. Saturday, Viking Stadium, Mt. Pleasant Winner plays: Winner of 5-Freeport (12-1-1)/4-South Park (13-4-1) on Tuesday in semifinals (site/time TBD) Corner kicks: This is a rematch of last year’s quarterfinals when Burrell stunned the No. 3-seeded...

Canon-McMillan ordered personal pizzas from Pizza Hut for the drive home Thursday night from Harrison City. The food arrived much earlier than expected, at halftime. The Big Macs’ go-ahead goal to open the second half was delivered even faster. Sarah Coffman ran wide and poked a shot past Rease Solomon...

The WPIAL football playoff picture won’t be in full focus for Westmoreland County teams until late Friday night or even Saturday afternoon. Several teams’ seasons will come down to the final week of the regular season. Area teams that already have clinched spots in the postseason are Penn-Trafford (7-2) and...

Mt. Pleasant girls soccer players remember that sinking, helpless feeling that overtook them as Burrell’s golden goal hit the twine a year ago. The Vikings were shocked by the Buccaneers, 2-1, in the WPIAL 2A quarterfinals, ending their hopes of a return trip to the district finals. Burrell was the...

WPIAL and PIAA champions have not been crowned yet in girls soccer, but some of the talented players who will lead teams to titles were recognized by coaches in the district. The All-WPIAL list for girls soccer came out Wednesday night. Mt. Pleasant and Peters Township lead all schools in...

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...

WPIAL soccer playoffs Girls Class 4A Quarterfinals 6-Canon-McMillan (12-3-1) at 3-Penn-Trafford (13-4) 7 p.m. Thursday, Warrior Stadium, Harrison City Winner plays: Winner of 7-Upper St. Clair (10-5-2)/2-Seneca Valley (12-2-2) on Monday in semifinals Corner kicks: Canon-McMillan scored seven first-half goals en route to an 11-0 victory over No. 11 Hempfield...

North Hills beat the buzzer, and the defending champs. With a little help, the No. 12-seeded Indians used a last-second goal to shock No. 5 Norwin, 3-2, in a WPIAL Class 4A first-round boys soccer playoff game Tuesday night at Norwin Knights Stadium. Just when it looked like it was...

WPIAL soccer playoffs Class 3A Quarterfinals 7-Franklin Regional (12-3-1) at 2-Thomas Jefferson (13-1-2) 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thomas Jefferson Stadium, Jefferson Hills Winner plays: Winner of 14-Chartiers Valley (9-8)/3-Mars (13-1-4) on Monday in semifinals Corner kicks: Franklin Regional moved into the quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory over No. 10 Trinity as...

Mt. Lebanon didn’t get a golden goal, but it leaned on its golden freshman to survive and advance. Goalkeeper Makenna Tappe expected to have an impact, but the freshman didn’t imagine this in her first varsity playoff game. Tappe not only made a key save but also converted her shot...

Sofia DeCerb was a tall task for opposing soccer players when she guarded the net at Latrobe — literally, she’s 6-foot tall. Now, she is stopping shots at James Madison, and other teams also have to shoot low. DeCerb, a redshirt freshman, has taken over the position for the Dukes...

WPIAL soccer playoffs Boys Class 4A First round 12-North Hills (10-8) at 5-Norwin (11-5-1) 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Norwin Knights Stadium, North Huntingdon Winner plays: Winner of 13-Central Catholic (5-11-1)/4-North Allegheny (14-3-1) on Saturday in quarterfinals Corner kicks: North Hills has lost four of its last five and three in a...

WPIAL soccer playoffs Boys Class 2A First round 10-Shady Side Academy (11-4-1) at 7-Mt. Pleasant (13-5) 6:30 p.m. Monday, Viking Stadium, Mt. Pleasant Winner plays: Winner of 15-McGuffey (9-8-1)/2-Avonworth (14-2-2) Thursday in quarterfinals Corner kicks: Shady Side Academy outscored teams 83-19 and has a five-game winning streak. The Bulldogs beat...

When he was a freshman, Brady Yarabinetz began to see a growth spurt in his baseball skills. He realized he was adjusting quickly to the varsity level and started to see a potential future in the game. Fast forward to his senior year, and the Franklin Regional outfielder is ready...

Latrobe will remember its first playoff win in boys soccer for a number of reasons. • The Agostoni brothers each scored a goal. • The defense posted a shutout on the Wildcats’ home turf. • Traffic from a Donald Trump rally just up the road at the airport hindered late...

Latrobe threw the Big East Conference for a loop. The Wildcats, decimated by injuries but not ready to pack it in, knocked off Gateway, 28-27, to throw their hat into the ring for a potential wild-card spot. Latrobe is 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference. The top three teams...

The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg. Eden Williams School: Franklin Regional Class: Senior Sport: Soccer Claim to fame: Williams, an IUP commit, is one of the top all-around players in...

Joey Bayne changed his hairstyle recently, going from long, wavy, brown locks to a blond buzz-cut with dark tiger stripes. Bayne can change his look quickly during the fall season, too. One day, he’s a speedy forward creating goals for the soccer team. The next, he’s launching touchbacks into the...

Norwin doesn’t go to cross country meets to see the changing leaves and experience ambience. No, the Knights go to win. Norwin swept another meet this season by winning titles at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Championship on the 5K course at Westmoreland County Community College. The girls, who are...