Belle Vernon hands Ringgold stinging loss
MONONGAHELA – Heading into the week, Ringgold High School controlled its soccer destiny in Section 3-AAA.
But after a loss at Laurel Highlands Tuesday and a 1-0 loss to Belle Vernon Thursday night at Joe Montana Stadium, the Rams find themselves having to win out and hoping Albert Gallatin upsets Belle Vernon Tuesday to have a chance to just share the title.
“We controlled our destiny but this is what growing up is all about,” Ringgold coach Steve Persaud said. “A coach once told me that sports imitates life and this is a part of the growing up process and them becoming men.”
Belle Vernon (11-2, 8-1) clinched a share of its first section title since 2010 and will win it outright with a victory at home against Albert Gallatin Tuesday.
Belle Vernon coach John Kerekes was jubilant after the match and expressed his happiness for his team, especially the seniors.
“This is huge for us,” he said. “We have three seniors who have started for four years and early in their careers, it was tough, but this makes it all worth it.”
The three seniors he talked about are Jared Guess, Brennan Morgan and Evan Brown.
The match was scoreless into the second half, and Belle Vernon appeared to be aided by a no call on a takedown in the goalie’s box with 33:06 to play.
Moments later, Belle Vernon senior forward Tyler Seliga scored the lone goal of the contest with 32:04 to play when he played a rebound off of a shot by sophomore Marko Apodiakis.
The hard shot bounced off of Ringgold sophomore goalkeeper Travis Yahnite and Seliga headed the ball into the net for the lone goal of the match.
“The reason we won this game is because Tyler Seliga would not stop and has a motor on him,” he said. “He wasn’t a soccer player, put his time in, and he is the heart and soul of this team.”
The Rams played without leading scorer Eli Schoedel and it made a difference.
“We went with a scheme that we had not practiced,” Persaud said. “I thought we executed well, to tell you the truth.”
Ringgold (7-5, 6-2) is tied for second with Laurel Highlands and heads to Norwin for an exhibition match Saturday before hosting Trinity Tuesday in a section match.