Rickel competes nationally
For the second year in a row, Holden Rickel of Upper St. Clair represented Pennsylvania during the National All-Star Lacrosse Games played earlier this summer in Baltimore, Md.
A midfielder, Rickel was also invited to the National Lacrosse Federation’s Elite 120 held at Loyola, University. The one-day event showcases the nation’s top 2025s as they competed against each other and in front of collegiate coaches from across the country.
A junior midfielder, Rickel plays scholastic lacrosse at USC. He is also affiliated with the 2025 Crabs Lax Club in Baltimore.
USC wins
Upper St. Clair opened the 2023 boys soccer season winning the Plum Tournament.
The Panthers defeated West Allegheny, 4-2, before edging the host Mustangs, 2-1, in the championship match.
Lia, Park and Emil Sobarzo scored the goals in the title tilt.
Jan Sames exploded for two tallies against the Indians. Joe Donnelly and Ben Murtough completed the scoring against West-A. Luke Ralyea, Donnelly and Liam Burlovic picked up assists.
The Panthers also picked up their first section victory when they trounced Hempfield, 17-0. Sames fired in four goals while Charlie Bacdayan followed up with a hat trick. Burlovic, Murtough and Donnelly each tallied two goals.
Goose eggs
Nil, nada, zip was all the Upper St. Clair girls allowed when they blanked their soccer opponents during season-opening victories against Ft. LeBouef and Erie McDowell during the South Hills Classic played at South Park Stadium.
In a 7-0 triumph against Ft. LeBouef, Brooke Bodamer and Val Sobarzo each supplied two goals. Sierra Dupre, Abby Mascaro and Kate Moore chipped in single tallies.
In a 5-0 blanking of McDowell, Dupre deposited two goals into the net while Moore, Mascaro and Meredith Huzjak added the remaining tallies.
Cam Friday and Braidyn Recker excelled in goal for the Lady Panthers.
The Lady Panthers also battled Canon-McMillan to a draw, 0-0, in their section opener. Molly Kubistek excelled in the nets, turning back all Lady Mac shots on goal.
USC posted its fourth shutout in a row with a 7-0 triumph against Baldwin. Dupre (2), Maeryn Mannix, Bodamer, Helena Walker, Val Solarzo and Natalie Disora registered the goals.
PT beats BP
Peters Township shut out Bethel Park, 2-0, in a boys season soccer opener.
Adam Smiga and Jeven Kelly scored for the Indians while goalie Markus Bizyak and the entire PT backline kept the Black Hawks scoreless.
In follow-up action, PT dropped a 2-1 decision to Canon-McMillan.
Blake Gabelhart scored the lone tally off an assist from Alex Parise for the Indians played shorthanded, a man down for over 20 minutes.
PT blanks SF
The Lady Indians of Peters Township started the soccer season with a 5-0 road win against South Fayette.
Ella Neupaver had a goal and an assist while Lucia Trapanotto, Julia Spergel, Paige Malley, and Milena Gill also found the back of the net for the Lady Indians.
Natalie Faingnaert and Marina Hajnosz contributed assists while Molly Kubistek and Kaitlyn Strine teamed up for the shutout in net.
In follow-up action, PT defeated Bethel Park, 4-1. Camryn Klein had a hat trick while Marina Hajnosz found the back of the net for the other PT tally. Jordan Klein added an assist. Molly Kubistek recorded the win in goal.
Lusk medals
Colton Lusk won medalist honors during the Morgantown High School Invitational played at the Pines Country Club. His 2-under-69 also enabled Peters Township to claim the team championship.
The Indians chalked up a 288 score to outdistance Morgantown (311), Cabell Midland (315) and George Washington (330).
In the Play 6, Count 4 format, Griffin Hansberry fired a 71 while Nick Haught and Shane Williams carded 74s for the Indians.
Ryan Watterson, Ben Miller, Chris McCay and Jeremy Poon also golfed in the event.
The Indians ran their Section 6-AAA record to 4-0 and overall mark to 9-0 with a league win against Bethel Park, 193-223, on the front nine at Nemacolin Country Club.
Lusk led with a 2-under 36 while Williams and Haught both carded 38s. Hansberry and Watterson finished with 40 and 41 respectively.
Miller, Poon, McCay and Jackson Baxter also golfed in the match.
Chan Yoon led the Black Hawks, who dropped to 1-4 in the league and 2-4 overall. He shot a 37.
Other contributors for BP were: Ethan Jones, Mason Devet-Raeder, Layton Cameron and Gianni Esposito. Cam Bonacci, Sinjin Stainbrook and Jack Smith all participated in the match.
Burchill feat
Myra Burchill recorded an albatross during Upper St. Clair’s golf match against Bethel Park on Aug. 28. The junior scored a 2 on the No. 5 hole (par 5) at the St. Clair Country Club.
The Panthers defeated the Black Hawks, 174-208. Olivia Ziegler set the pace with a 41.
Previously, the Lady Panthers defeated South Fayette, 163-191, and Elizabeth-Forward, 179-206. Ziegler fired a 36 to lead the charge against the Lions while Addy Shedd shot the low score of 42 against the Warriors.
PT beats USCPeters Township defeated Upper St. Clair, 149-173, in girls’ golf.
Ellie Benson led the Lady Indians with a low score of 34. Brooke Vowcheck and Sophia Severns followed with 36 and 38.
Olivia Ziegler and Shedd both carded 41s for the Panthers.