Latrobe Grad Sofia DeCerb Outduels Aris Lamanna as Westmoreland Athletes Shine Across College Sports

Two of the top goalkeepers Westmoreland County has produced in recent years met in a Sun Belt Conference women's soccer game in Conway, S.C., and James Madison came away with a 2-1 win over Coastal Carolina. Senior Sofia DeCerb, a Latrobe graduate, got the better of junior Aris Lamanna.

Both 5-foot-11 keepers played all 90 minutes and each finished with three saves. James Madison scored twice in the second half to settle it. The win moved JMU to 9-5-1 overall and 7-1-0 in the conference, while Coastal Carolina fell to 8-6-3 and 2-4-2.

In football, Cal (Pa.) rolled over IUP, 49-0, in PSAC West play. Sophomore Da'sjon Craggette (Southmoreland) and freshman Kole Doppelheuer (Belle Vernon) both ran for touchdowns as the Vulcans gained 484 yards. At Georgetown, freshman receiver Samir Crosby (Greensburg Central Catholic) caught his first college touchdown, a 30-yard grab, in a 28-27 win over William & Mary. He ended with a career-high three catches for 51 yards.

Saint Vincent held off Geneva, 24-21, when junior defensive back Patrick Connolly intercepted a pass with 29 seconds left. Geneva had rallied for 14 fourth-quarter points after the Bearcats built a 10-point lead. Senior Jake Phillips (Hempfield) threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, and junior Nathan Parker had 13 tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups. Parker was later named the PAC Defensive Player of the Week.

Seton Hill beat Clarion, 27-24, when sophomore Rayyan Bataineh kicked a 21-yard field goal as time expired. Junior Boden St. Marie completed 19 of 27 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns, and Ahmad Ward (Derry) added a 39-yard rushing score. Washington & Jefferson crushed Thiel, 65-7, with senior Haden Sierocky (Ligonier Valley) catching an 11-yard touchdown, his second career score.

In soccer, Seton Hill's men clinched a PSAC Tournament berth with a 2-1 win over Cal (Pa.), getting a penalty kick from Tomas Gomes and a 78th-minute bicycle kick goal from Rafael Santos. Pitt-Greensburg's men blanked Penn State Altoona, 5-0, behind a brace from junior Cooper Robson. Grove City topped Washington & Jefferson, 6-1.

The Pitt-Greensburg women beat Penn State Altoona, 2-1, with two goals 28 seconds apart late in the second half, the first from junior Riley Gesinski (Mt. Pleasant) in the 76th minute. The Bobcats also beat La Roche, 5-0, to improve to 11-4 overall and 6-0 in the AMCC. They have won seven straight and secured a first-round bye in the conference playoffs. Saint Vincent won its sixth in a row, 2-1 over Chatham, and Seton Hill came back to beat Pitt-Johnstown, 2-1, with goals in the 80th and 84th minutes.

Elsewhere, John Carroll senior Wade Boyle (Greensburg Central Catholic) won the Jeff Roope Invitational at 7-under-par to close the fall season, as he had opened it, with a win. Bethel junior Izzy Aigner (Greensburg Central Catholic) helped the Pilots win the NCCAA Championship, and Westminster freshman Gunnar Probst (Latrobe) won three swimming events against Saint Francis (Pa.). Saint Vincent junior Brooke Street was named AMCC Bowler of the Week for the second straight time.