PLUM, Pa. – Laurel Highlands finished its 2026 campaign with a first‑round playoff loss to top‑seed Plum, but head coach Alexander Guie remained upbeat about the progress his squad made over the season.
Season turnaround and playoff preview
After dropping the first three games and suffering a 5‑2 loss to cross‑town rival Uniontown, the Highlanders rallied in the second half of the year. A 2‑0 victory over Uniontown in their second meeting secured a postseason berth, and a 1‑0 double‑overtime win over Uniontown on Thursday, capped by Matt Kolencik’s golden goal, earned them a spot in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.
“Overall, I’m happy with the season,” Guie said after the match. “The way we’ve progressed, and I’m excited for the future. I couldn’t ask for a better group.” He noted the team’s depth, estimating a roster of 46 players, and expressed confidence that the experience gained will pay dividends next year.
Playoff game recap
Plum entered the match undefeated at 16‑0‑1 and opened the scoring early, with Hudson Strasser delivering a cross that Caden Zoller turned into his first of two goals at the 30:46 mark of the first half. Plum’s second goal arrived at 12:34 when Joaquin Santiago chipped the ball over senior keeper Dan O’Neal.
O’Neal made four saves, including a diving stop in the second half, but Guie warned that the Highlanders will miss his presence next season. “Since I’ve been here, Danny’s been our rock in the back there, and we are going to miss him for sure,” Guie said.
Plum’s third and fourth goals came in the second half. Anthony Arrigo’s free kick set up Zoller’s second tally with 37:40 left, and Kent Holmes added two quick goals, the first 38 seconds after Zoller’s strike and the second at 29:07, giving Plum a 4‑0 lead. The final goal was scored by Holmes on the team’s ninth shot on target.
Highlanders’ effort and standout players
Despite the shutout, Laurel Highlands continued to press. Jackson Baker had a shot on target with 9:30 left, and Jackson Nairn produced several near‑misses in the final minutes while also delivering solid defensive work. “Jack Nairn can do about everything on the field that a coach could ask him to do,” Guie praised, adding that Nairn could even excel as a goalkeeper if needed.
Matt Kolencik, who scored the overtime winner against Uniontown, was lauded for his all‑around contributions. “Matt Kolencik has been indispensable,” Guie said. “You could rely on him to give you anywhere from an eight‑out‑of‑10 to a 10‑out‑of‑10 performance every game.”
Statistical snapshot
Plum recorded 17 total shots, nine on target, while Laurel Highlands managed eight shots, two on target. The home side held a slight edge in corner kicks, 2‑1.
Plum’s goalkeeper Chase Eber made one save, and substitute Jack Majcher added another in the second half to preserve the clean sheet.
Looking ahead
Guie concluded on an optimistic note, emphasizing the team’s resilience and the development of younger players. “We’re building with our team, and I can’t wait for next year,” he said, underscoring the program’s commitment to fostering talent and community pride in Plum.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
