Norwin goalkeeper Reed Hoyle makes four saves in penalty kicks to reach WPIAL semifinals
The No. 1 seed advanced after a 4-2 shootout victory over Upper St. Clair, following a conversation with a former teammate about diving technique.
By Takeshi Davidson ·
Norwin Soccer defeated Upper St. Clair 4-2 on penalty kicks on Saturday to secure a spot in the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals.
The Knights, who hold a 16-0-1 record, advance after a 1-1 draw persisted through regulation and two extra periods. Reed Hoyle, a third-year starter, stopped two attempts to secure the win. This marks the program's first semifinal appearance since winning the district title in 2023. Hoyle credited a recent phone call with Anthony Scalise, the goalkeeper who helped Norwin capture that championship, for his performance. Scalise advised Hoyle to guess the direction of each shot and dive with maximum effort. Hoyle, who wears the same pink number 0 jersey as Scalise, applied that strategy during the decisive moments. He noted that overcoming the pressure of a previous quarterfinal loss against Plum, where he allowed four goals, has bolstered his confidence this season.
Coach Carter Breen described the victory as a redemption arc for the team. "Reed came up big when we needed him to," Breen said. "That win was all about redemption." Hoyle made a total of eight saves during the match, including six in regulation and two in overtime. The team now faces No. 4 North Allegheny (11-3-3) on Monday at 8 p.m. at Chartiers Valley. Hoyle has received an offer to play for Division III Saint Vincent, though he is also considering Pitt-Johnstown.
Teammates refer to Hoyle as "Greasy," a nickname derived from a character in the video game Minecraft. Senior midfielder Logan Plichta praised Hoyle's readiness, calling him "such a beast." Plichta stated that the team has momentum heading into the next round.
Penn-Trafford girls soccer also reached the semifinals for the first time since 2017. The Warriors defeated Hampton 4-3 in a match that featured a dramatic finish. Freshman Zoe Bell scored the winning goal five minutes into overtime. Coach Jimmy Mastroianni said the team connected passes in the midfield before Isabella Rager sent a cross to Kylee McClintock, with Bell finishing the play. Penn-Trafford (14-2-3) will play No. 1 Mars (15-1-1) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Fox Chapel.
Belle Vernon boys soccer has advanced to the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals, its first appearance in that round since 2012. The Leopards, seeded 10th, have defeated higher-ranked opponents to reach this stage. They will face No. 3 North Catholic (17-1-2) on Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Peters Township. Coach Tyler Caterino said the team felt undervalued by the seeding process. He noted that the squad finished the regular season with one loss and strong results against higher classifications. "We were sure we were a better team than a No. 10," Caterino said. He added that the team's preparation has been driven by a desire to prove their standing.
