PETERS TOWNSHIP -- Belle Vernon Area coach John Kerekes knows that his team's wasn't at its best Thursday against Shady Side Academy, but it was good enough for the Leopards to earn their second straight berth in the WPIAL AA semifinals.
"When good teams don't play their best, they can still find ways to win," the first-year mentor said. "We did not play well, but we did what we had to do to win."
After a relatively even first half, the Leopards (18-2) got on the board with 6:55 left in the first half when Anthony Zenobi rebounded a head ball attempt by Josh Page and buried it in the back of the goal.
The Indians (10-8-1) missed their best chance to score when they hit the crossbar on a shot with 36:50 left in the game.
"That was their best chance and we had to weather the storm early in the second half," Kerekes said. "Once we got through that stretch, we were all right."
The Leps put the contest away with 24:17 remaining when Dave Wurmlinger took a lead pass from Page and put the ball in the back of the net to ice the contest.
Garrett McLaughlin made five saves to earn his 12th shutout of the season and 33rd of his career.
Kerekes complimented the play of his senior keeper, as well as his senior-laden defense that has only given up eight goals all year.
However, it was senior Adam Jackson who stood out the most to the first-year Lep coach.
"Adam did a great job," Kerekes said. "He didn't touch the ball much, but he was all over the field. That is the kind of hustle that we need."
The win sets up a BVA rematch with South Park (18-1-1) from last year's WPIAL consolation game. A year ago, the Leps won that meeting to earn their first-ever PIAA berth in school history.
South Park defeated Mars, 1-0, in their quarterfinal match.
This time, both teams have something to prove as second-seeded South Park is looking for revenge while the 14th-seeded Leps are still playing with a chip on their shoulders after being given such a low seed.
"They are going to want to get us back," Kerekes said. "For us, we are doing all right for a team ranked so low.
"The guys are still motivated by it."
