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USO storms into championship game, beats Perry 18-0
Photo Credit: Kayla Hitchcock
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Written by Brandon McClung, The Eagle Staff Reporter
“We’re gonna win, no doubt!” Coming from one of the USO Eagles, it was hard to see why not. After defeating the Perry Commodores in the playoffs, the USO Eagles have advanced to the city football championship. The 18-0 win didn’t come easily; both teams were scoreless in the first half of the game. At halftime, even Coach Joe Bellante said that he didn’t like the 0-0 score.
Remarkably, the second half was amazing as running back Jaylen Coleman rushed 162 yards, had a fumble recovery, and a touchdown. Austoundingly, He has already rushed for over 1,000 yards this year. Kevaun Frenzley had one sack on the Commodore quarterback for an eleven yard loss and gave the Eagles another touchdown. Donte Forte added on with yet another touchdown, plus an interception.
The Eagles hope their winning streak brings home the trophy after they face the Allderdice Dragons in the city championship this Saturday at 1:00.
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Currently Browsing: Sports
HS Student Focus:Senior soccer champions bring glory to Obama Academy
Photo Credit: Aaron Buettner
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Written by Olivia Perfetti, The Eagle Staff Reporter
Nothing is better for a new school than having a gold trophy sitting on display in the entrance.
The first half of the girl’s high school city soccer championship ended with the scoreboard reading 0-0. When Allderdice scored in the second half, the result was different for each player. Some lost hope. But for some players it gave them the energy to get back in the game. Only minutes later, senior Leeza Tokarski scored with a perfect shot to the corner. The goal renewed the team’s spirit and another couple of minutes later freshman Merce Lemon Pierce scored on a fantastic breakaway.
The last few minutes of the game, when defense was imperative and the offense and midfield dropped back to ensure no goals were scored, were the most tense. Afterward, senior Angela Perfetti commented, “It was all up to the defense, from the point Merce scored to when the whistle sounded.”
And for the fifth time in a row, our high school girls soccer team won the city championship against the Allderdice Dragons, contrary to many people’s expectations.
Although it was the team’s (which also includes players from Sci-Tech) first win under the Obama Academy name, for many of the players it was their second, third or fourth win.
Among these players are Leeza Tokarski and Angela Perfetti, four year champions and long-time soccer players.
Leeza Tokarski has been playing soccer a total of 13 years. Leeza, who scored over one-hundred goals in her high school career, plays center midfield for the team. As one of the team captains, Leeza leads and advises the offense and midfield. The team relies on her for the win. Leeza is going to Point Park University next year, on a soccer scholarship. Leeza said that the best part of winning this year was that “no-one thought we could win, and we just proved them wrong.”
Angela Perfetti, who is the team’s sweeper, has been playing soccer for a total of nine years. Like Leeza, Angela is also a captain and leads the defense. As the last line of defense, besides the team’s keeper Ashley Coleman, a lot of pressure rests on Angela each game. When asked about how she felt before the final against Dice, Angela said: “I really felt that, more than ever, I needed to step up to the plate. It was do or die.”
Two-year champion Mariah Benjamin is another of the five seniors. Mariah played for Schenley her freshman year. Her sophomore year was spent in Germany. Although she planned to play her junior year, Mariah broke her toe. Luckily for the team, Mariah was back her senior year to play stopper, the position in front of Angela, the sweeper.
Danielle Akrie was new to soccer at the beginning of the season, but after just three months she became a valuable player for the team. Danielle played striker (center offense) for the Eagles, a position that took advantage of her remarkable speed, the result of which was that Danielle scored a number of goals this year. In the interview with the seniors, Danielle said “It really hit me when the countdown from 10 started.”
Tessa Mastalski was also new to soccer and to the team this year, but her natural athleticism and spirit made her a real team player. Considered by some players as the “most improved player,” Tessa was a valuable asset as injuries plagued the defense, and Tessa was able to step in smoothly and take over. When asked what the best part of being on the team was, Tessa said, The best part was making new friends from Sci-Tech, and just the experience of something new.”
The team will miss its seniors, but the players are confident that next year’s seniors will lead the team to another championship.
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Currently Browsing: Student News
Talented students wait their turn for the spotlight
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Written by Lakiesha Spells for The Eagle
Most people don’t know that we have a lot of talented students in our school; Horace Pope and Jade Spratt just to name two. Ms Spratt has been interviewed for her talent, which is playing the clarinet. Jade informed me that she wants to make a career out of her talent which is being cultivated by her instrumental instructor Mrs. Sharif-Lucas. One of the things that she wants to do is play when she goes to college because she likes to play in front of people. Jade says, “I’m a minor in music.”
I also asked her what the hardest part in playing the clarinet was and said that it was reading the music and knowing if you’re playing it right. Jade also asked me to send a message to Mrs. Sharif-Lucas, which was “Thank Mrs.Sharif-Lucas for teaching me everything I know!”
Horace Pope is the other talented student and he plays the trumpet and he’s been playing for 6 years. When I asked him how much time he puts in, he responded with, “I don’t put in a lot of practice but, I’m still a G!” He does enjoy playing in front of people but, doesn’t want to do it when he gets older. He said, “The easiest thing to do is play interesting songs.” The hardest thing for him to do is play it all together. Why? Because he has braces and it makes it very difficult at times. Listening to music is what he likes to do and that’s why he likes to play the trumpet. “I’m not as interested now then I was before.” But, “I’m still a G!” Even though they might be anonymous to the rest of the school, they still rock on!
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Currently Browsing: Student News
Where we come from: Larimer
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Written by Martinea Goss for The Eagle
What is your neighborhood like? Is it chaotic and crazy, or is it peaceful and calm? Well, where I live, it’s a mixture of all of those things. I live in Larimer, a little neighborhood that is expanding greatly. Everywhere you turn you see construction workers building, businesses booming, and homes and recreational centers that are occupied. All of these things are being built in such little time. Within the past five yearsBakery Square, Staples, new neighborhoods, Target and several other popular businesses have opened in theEast Libertyarea. As things are opening there, the urge to build has spread. Butthings are closing also. Several schools in thePittsburghPublicSchool districtare being closed or combined. Schenley is now Obama, andPeabodystudents have moved on to Westinghouse, University Prep, and other schools. Very chaotic isn’t it?
Larimer is a quiet neighborhood, at times. There isn’t a lot of violence or crime there, but like any place else it does occur rarely. Everyone knows each other and everyone is close. There are a great many kids running and playing outside every day. Sometimes it gets so annoying, but I’ve become very accustomed to it. There aren’t a lot of kids my age, with the majority ranging from ages 4-11. Yet, the neighborhood is great overall.
People consider Larimer to be inEast Liberty.East Libertyis like a small shopping region. People go there very often for Trader Joe’s, nail shops, Giant Eagle, and other business and stores.
Shadyside is about five minutes fromEast Liberty, and there are several restaurants there, as well as pizza shops, Chinese foods, McDonald’s, and others. Even though it’s a nice area, at times it can get a bit crazy. There are a lot of people walking the streets, or just chilling on corners. And whether you are talking about East Liberty, Shadyside or Highland Park, they are neighborhoods and parts of town that are right on the border of Larimer, so what goes on there certainly affects us, too.
Larimer was just a small area where Italians and Germans originally settled. Now it’s expanding into a neighborhood full of cultures and ethnicities.
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