Leopards set for upset-minded Cougars

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

After not getting much respect when it came to the preseason predictions in Section 3-3A, the Belle Vernon Area boys are one of only two teams still playing soccer at this point of the season.

The Leopards (17-1), who earned the No. 4 seed in the bracket, will face No. 12 seed Blackhawk (11-3-4) in a WPIAL quarterfinal at Canon-McMillan today. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

BVA advanced with a 1-0 win over No. 13 Indiana Saturday at James Weir Stadium behind the strong play of goalkeeper TJ Watson and a goal from freshman Nathaniel Kikel.

The Cougars knocked off No. 5 South Fayette, 1-0.

“I thought we embraced the opportunity we had Saturday,” BVA head coach Rob Miele said. “You’re never sure what will happen in a playoff game especially when you have six sophomores starting and three freshman playing meaningful minutes.

But I don’t think we were as dynamic as we could have been.”

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