Watkins’ score is 100; Charleroi headed to WPIAL finals
The Charleroi girls soccer team celebrates after Kyra Watkins scored the winning goal on a penalty kick in overtime to beat Shady Side Academy, 1-0, in a WPIAL Class A semifinal game at Chartiers Valley Monday night.
Charleroi’s Kyra Watkins scores the game-winning goal on a penalty kick during overtime. Charleroi won 1-0.
Charleroi’s Kyra Watkins fights for control of the ball against Shady Side Academy’s Gabriella White during the second half of Monday night’s game.
Charleroi’s Hannah Kondratik fights for control of the ball with Shady Side Academy’s Sophia McMahon during the game Monday.
Charleroi’s Katilyn Riley retains possession of the ball while Shady Side Academy’s Gianna Pipitone tries to steal during the game Monday.
BRIDGEVILLE – Charleroi senior midfielder Kyra Watkins must have a flair for the dramatic.
There was plenty of time for her to score a milestone goal, but she decided to wait until a little more was riding on the line.
In the end, Cougars’ faithful can just be happy she scored when she did.
Watkins converted a penalty kick just 61 seconds into the first overtime for her 100th career goal, sending Charleroi to a 1-0 win over Shady Side Academy Monday night at Chartiers Valley High School and into the WPIAL Class A championship game at Highmark Stadium.
The Cougars will make their first appearance in the title game since 2000 and third overall. They will face top seed and defending WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up Greensburg Central Catholic, which earned a 7-2 win over Freedom, Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
“It feels pretty good,” said Watkins. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited in my life.”
The victory also clinches a spot in the PIAA playoffs for Charleroi (17-1-2).
The key sequence began almost right off the opening kick of the extra frame. Charleroi played the ball into the corner. Freshman forward Megan Sterner took possession, made a move and dribbled into the penalty area, where she was immediately felled by a defender.
Without hesitation, officials pointed to the spot, where Watkins stepped up and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, setting off a euphoric celebration.
There didn’t seem to be any pressure for Watkins as she faced one of the most important kicks in her career.
“I pretty much keep my head clear,” said Watkins. “I just wanted to kick it like I do in practice. I like taking PKs.”
The goal was her 47th of the season.
“She’s going to remember this for a long time,” said Charleroi coach Jim Rue.
It also came a bit against the run of play. After an even first half, the Indians (16-4-0) controlled much of the second half in terms of possession. To Charleroi’s credit, the defense occasionally bent but never broke. Despite the possession disadvantage, Cougars goalkeeper Sydney Toth was tested on only a handful of occasions.
Her best save was turning out a low shot for a corner in the 63rd minute. She kept control of the penalty area in front of her as well, stifling a handful of other attacks, and she finished with five saves.
Charleroi’s only other scoring chance of note in the first 80 minutes was fittingly off the boot of Watkins, when her free kick from 22 yards in the 24th minute was stopped on a great diving effort by Samantha Morlacci.
Neither team had a shot on goal until nine minutes in.
“The kids deserve all the accolades,” said Rue. “They were a little frustrated because they couldn’t do what they’ve normally done all year, but I said, ‘Look, this is a WPIAL semifinal game. They’re all gonna be tough.’ I’m very proud of these girls. They wanted it very badly.”
They’ll get even tougher when the Cougars play the Centurions, who have outscored their opponents in the playoffs 18-3.
“Their record speaks for itself,” said Rue. “We’re going to go out there and give it our best and see what happens.”