Oct 25, 2018 2 min read

MCMURRAY – Charleroi dominated South Park for 80 minutes Thursday, did not allow a shot on goal and advanced in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs with a 4-0 win over the Eagles in a quarterfinal match.

Fourth-seeded Charleroi advances to take on top-seeded Quaker Valley Monday at a site and time to be determined.

“I am very happy with how the team played,” said Charleroi coach Jon Ducoli. “We are known as an offensive team but we didn’t give up a shot the whole match. The defense takes pride.

“Nick (Goodwin) didn’t have to make a save and that is a good problem to have as a keeper.”

Charleroi (18-0) turned solid defense into a high-octane offense, taking 12 shots, including four chances in the first half to find the back of the net. But South Park goalkeeper Casey Jones didn’t allow a goal in the first 40 minutes.

“Our game plan is to put the other team on their heels, but South Park is well-coached and very organized,” Ducoli said. “We had jitters, but we knew it was a matter of time.”

South Park (12-5-1) went on the offensive during those opening five minutes of the second half. Nate Kacey took the Eagles’ first shot of the match with 38:40 to play.

Cullin Woytovich broke the scoreless tie with 26:56 to play when a shot from 19 yards out crept inside the post to give Charleroi a 1-0 lead.

“Once we scored the first goal, it gets us ready and going,” Woytovich said. “Even though we were shut out in the first half for the first time all season, we dominated play. Now we have to keep going.”

The Cougars extended their lead with 14:57 to play when Jace Kepich scored on a penalty kick.

Charleroi put the match out of reach less than two minutes later as Kepich scored his second goal of the night off of an assist from Woytovich to take a 3-0 lead.

Phil Banks added a goal for Charleroi in the final 10 minutes.