Mofoluke ‘Mo’ Obiri leads Seton LaSalle in scoring

Tri-State Sports & News Service

Seton LaSalle took the long way into the playoffs, which was just fine for its star player, Mofoluke Obiri. She’s used to making long treks.

Obiri, who goes by Mo, was born in Ontario, Canada, then moved to Malaysian Capital Kuala Lumpur, then Mount Pleasant (Mich.), and finally Pittsburgh. She has attended Seton LaSalle for her entire high school career and no matter where she moves on to,she will always be remembered by the Rebels. Her 74 goals and counting are fourth in team history behind Pam Pitchok (77), Pia Pitchock (83) and all-time leaderAlexa DelGreco (92).

“I’m just glad she has stayed for all four years,” said Seton LaSalle coach Brooke Mangis. “We can always count on Mo. She leads the team in scoring, but she also draws so many defenders. That leaves room for other people to step up.”

Obiri’s ability to draw a crowd helped alleviate some early-season shuffling of the lineup. Sisters Tori and Vanessa Hudson, both defenders, tore their ACLs during the offseason, although not at the same time. That contributed to the Rebels losing their first two games. But since then, the squad has gelled and ripped off 15 straight wins, including a 31 victory over Mohawk Monday night in the first round of the WPIAL Class 1A playoffs.

For her part, Obiri said that moving to all of those new places helped her understand people and better assimilate to whatever culture she was a part of.

“Moving has helped me a lot,” said Obiri, whose father is an engineer and his career led to the moves. “I’ve had to work with a wide range of people and do that every time I moved. It really has helped.”

Mangis has noticed a player with superstar skills and the humble attitude of a role player.

“She’s very quiet, very humble,” said Mangis. “You would never get that vibe from her that she’s one of the top players in the WPIAL. And she’s super smart. She’s looking at the top schools in the country in academics.”

Obiri is ranked in the top 10 of her class and has her sights set on Ivy League and other elite schools to study engineering, just like her father. She said she would like to continue playing soccer after this season, but her education will come first.

Canon-McMillan

The Big Macs’ streak of eight consecutive trips to the WPIAL quarterfinals came to an end to a familiar foe on Monday night when Norwin scored a 6-1 firstround victory. Perhaps that was payback for 2013, when the Big Macs broke Norwin’s streak of winning at least one playoff game every year dating back to at least 2003? For even more proof of how close these two power programs are, you don’t have to look too far back in the history books.

The teams met in two championship matches just last season. Norwin won the WPIAL by defeating the Big Macs, 3-1, at Highmark Stadium. Canon-McMillan got its revenge with a 3-1 PIAA quarterfinal victory en route to claiming the state title.

Avonworth

It has been a bittersweet season for sure, one that saw Avonworth coach J.C. Mahan reach a milestone while leading his squad through heartbreak. Mahan won his 100th career match by leading the Antelopes to a 1-0 victory over Beaver on Sept. 13.

Avonworth has been playing with a heavy heart this season after all-section goalie Hannah Milbert died tragically in a house fire last winter.