Oct 29, 2015 4 min read

JEFFERSON HILLS – Canon-McMillan’s senior class experienced a WPIAL title in 2012 and an early playoff exit last fall. Those situations prepared the group to not blink under the most difficult of circumstances.

But when the Big Macs needed a big play with their WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal match against Penn-Trafford tied in the second half, head coach Larry Fingers was confident any player on the pitch could come through, regardless of age.

It wasn’t a surprise this time it was sophomore Jonah Moore, putting Canon-McMillan one win away from returning to Highmark Stadium.

Moore assisted on the game-winning goal by senior striker Nick Sodini and the Big Macs held off Penn-Trafford in the final minutes to secure a 2-1 win at Thomas Jefferson High School Thursday night.

The Big Macs (16-3) advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2013 and will face top-seeded Seneca Valley Monday at a site and time to be determined. They also guaranteed themselves at least two more matches with the PIAA play-in game for the WPIAL’s third spot in the state playoffs.

“We have a bunch of threats up top and we can score a goal at any moment,” Sodini said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a sophomore or a senior. That’s our most dangerous asset.”

Penn-Trafford (15-3-1) found that out when it had all the momentum. After controlling the midfield but failing to generate quality chances in the attacking third, Canon-McMillan senior goalkeeper Christian Snatchko punted a ball down the left side of the field. Moore gathered it and ran up field.

He beat a defender and made a quick cross pass inside the 18-yard box, where Sodini redirected it into the net for the 2-1 lead with 9:29 left in regulation.

“To be honest, we weren’t nervous at all at halftime,” Fingers said. “We played a great first half and we just made a small error in the second half that led to a goal. I was surprised it came down to (one goal). We could play a bit better. We have a lot of guys like Moore, who are younger, but they’re really experienced in cup soccer and that shows.”

With Penn-Trafford playing conservative, the Big Macs used their skill to control the first half and struck first when sophomore Brandon Byers fired a shot that was stopped. But Sodini was in the box to direct the rebound in for the 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. It was only the third goal Penn-Trafford had allowed this month.

Canon-McMillan almost scored again with less than a minute remaining in the half when senior defender Alex Ablak corralled a pass near the top of the 18-yard box and fired a rising shot that Warriors’ keeper Austin Iddon jumped to redirect over the crossbar with his fingertips.

Penn-Trafford responded by using three forwards and finally forced the Big Macs into a turnover in their own end. Austin Kreutzberger capitalized with the tying goal in the fourth minute of the second half.

“I thought we were by far the better team in the second half,” Penn-Trafford head coach Rick Nese said. “We kept getting chances, but couldn’t get that second goal. If we did, I think we would have put three or four more in, but unfortunately, we got beat by that counter.”

Canon-McMillan had 10 shots on goal in the match and had five corner kicks.

“It feels good to get this win,” Sodini said. “We’re guaranteed at least two more games, but we want to take care of business and move on.”