HARRISON CITY — Coach Justin Cerullo could not have been prouder of the Albert Gallatin Colonials girls soccer team despite an 8-0 defeat to No. 1 seed Penn‑Trafford in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs on Monday at Warriors Stadium. Cerullo praised the “big picture,” noting the program’s historic achievements and the character shown by his players.
Season Highlights
The Colonials closed the regular season with a 9-9 record, marking the first time in the program’s 28‑year history that they finished above .500. The team also qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time ever, a milestone that surprised many who had been watching the squad develop quietly under the radar.
The season opened with a 3‑2 upset of Thomas Jefferson on Sept. 10, signaling that the Colonials could compete with established programs. After a heartbreaking 1‑0 loss to Laurel Highlands on Sept. 16, the Colonials rebounded with a 1‑0 victory over the same opponent at Mustang Field on Oct. 7. Two wins over Uniontown later secured the playoff berth.
Playoff Game Recap
Penn‑Trafford struck first just 90 seconds in, with Ellie Lebe scoring the opening goal. Ashley Hetrick added a second before the half‑hour mark, giving the Warriors a 2‑0 lead at halftime. Albert Gallatin’s disciplined off‑side trap earned several free‑kick opportunities, but fatigue set in during the second half.
Kylee McClintock extended the lead to 3‑0 with 37:55 remaining, followed by a series of goals from Tori Yurt, Lebe (who completed a brace), Lauryn Francis, Zoe Bell and Gaby Geary, pushing the final score to 8‑0. The Colonials managed a few shots on target late in the game, including a free‑kick attempt by senior Caileigh Theodori, but Penn‑Trafford goalkeeper Natalie Broadwater kept a clean sheet.
Looking Ahead
Three seniors—Caileigh Theodori, Olivia Eicher and Isabella McClelland—will graduate, leaving a strong core of returning players to build on this historic season. Cerullo emphasized the leadership and character of the seniors while expressing confidence in the younger athletes who will step up next year.
“We have three seniors who have been fantastic players, people and leaders, and we will miss them dearly, but at the same time, there is a very strong core of girls coming back,” Cerullo said.
Penn‑Trafford (13‑2‑3) moves on to host Hampton (11‑6‑1) in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 7 p.m., while Albert Gallatin looks to use this breakthrough season as a foundation for future success.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
