Leps overcome slow start to beat Steel Valley

Abby Russell and Grace West scored second-half goals to push BVA to a season-opening win.

Abby Russell and Grace West scored less than two minutes apart in the second half to give Belle Vernon Area a 3-1 season-opening win over visiting Steel Valley Monday.

The game was also the Section 1-2A opener for both squads.

“It’s important to get that first one,” BVA head coach Tracy Lovett said. “Especially being a section game, you need to win these games at home.”

The game didn’t start that great for the Leopards (1-0, 1-0), as the Ironmen scored just under six minutes into the game as Brooklyn Perhacs ripped a shot over the head of BVA goalkeeper Skylar Salay, who got a hand on it before it rolled into the net.

“That’s just a first-time goalie making a mistake,” Lovett said. “She just didn’t sink back toward the net when she attacked. She’ll learn from that and we’ll continue working with her on some things.”

The Leopards were able to get the equalizer with Ava Scalise taking advantage of Steel Valley freshman keeper Tamira Rhodes.

Belle Vernon’s Tempe Musingo sent a pass through the midfield to the left side, springing Scalise toward the net.

Scalise sent a shot in from 21 yards out that Rhodes tried to get her feet in front of instead of just using her hands to catch it.

“That was a great goal when we needed it,” Lovett said. “Once we settled down and got organized we tilted the game in our favor and took control.”

The score remained 1-1 at the half.

“We switched some things around in the second half and I thought we did a great job carrying most of the play on our end,” Lovett said.

The Leopards got the game-winning goal when Courtney Martin took advantage of an Ironman turnover in the box and ripped a shot from the right over the head of Rhodes. It hit the crossbar and came right to Russell, who was able to head it gently into the left side of an open net with 23:25 remaining.

“We picked some things up and I think Ava, Grace (West), Sammi Mincone and Kelsey (Roskovich) did a great job of keeping things under control up there,” Lovett said. “When we needed those girls to step up, they did.’

West capped off the scoring with 21:40 to go by burying a direct kick from the middle of the field.

“She had a great look at it, and that’s why we put her up there and in those situations,” Lovett said. “She’s pretty accurate there.”

Rori Bastedo played in goal for the second half and made four saves, including a great stop on Steel Valley’s Kam Hatching with a minute remaining in the game.

“She played really well in there. I think her and Skylar are going to continue battling it out,” Lovett said. “I’m perfectly fine letting them split time in there. Skylar is a big presence in there and Rori really moves well and gets in the right position. It’s going to be fun continuing to work with them.”

The Leopards will get back to work at practice today before traveling to South Park Wednesday.