USC Girls Soccer Opens Season with a Win

The defending WPIAL champion Lady Panther soccer team kicked off its 2012 season with a 5-2 win over neighboring rival Mount Lebanon.

Playing in the South Hills Classic at the Century Field in South Park, the team weathered the hottest part of a very muggy day. After giving up an early goal to the opportunistic Blue Devils, the team regrouped to score the next four goals.

The first goal was set up by a string of passes, initiated by senior Carley Bogan, and the ball then was crossed by junior Olivia Belack and placed in the back of the net by freshman Emma Hasco. The first half ended 2-1 after Bogan scored on a nicely struck ball.

After the break, the midfield won many of the 50-50 opportunities to help the offense generate three more goals. Hasco scored two of those goals to garner a hat trick in her first varsity game. Sammi Witsberger also scored off of a lovely assist from Carley Bogan. All three of the second-half goals were assisted by Bogan, whose work rate drew the attention of many defenders, creating numerous offensive opportunities for the team.

The midfield group of four seniors – Ellie DiNardo, Emily Elliott, Rebekah Walsh, and Witsberger – junior Belack, sophomore Bailey Mielcusny and freshman Maddy Rocks provided strong support to the offensive result as well as defensively. Sophomore forward Brianna Erdman provided a spark to keep the team in an attacking frame of mind.

Coach Dave Gray has introduced a new three-back defensive alignment this year, consisting of sophomores Heather Godwin, Sami Lackner and Julia de la Parra. The defensive unit bounced back well from the early deficit in support of the strong goalkeeping provided by senior Jocelyn Alfera.

The girls' next game is a non-section game against Montour at USC stadium on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 8 p.m. Come out early to support the JV team, which also beat Mt. Lebo, by a score of 1-0.