Pine-Richland, Penn-Trafford, The Ellis School Claim WPIAL Field Hockey Titles

Monday, October 31, 2022

Washington, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) hosted its championship games in the sport of field hockey this past Saturday at Cameron Stadium on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College. The top seed in all three classifications emerged as champions, as The Ellis School (1A), Penn-Trafford (2A), and Pine-Richland (3A) were victorious over the course of the afternoon.

In 3A, Pine-Richland’s win kept its unbeaten season alive at 19-0-1 and extended its streak to four consecutive titles. The Rams now have five to their name, winning their first in 2017.

Penn-Trafford’s championship in 2A was its seventh straight, continuing a streak that began in 2016. The Warriors have eight titles overall, capturing their first in 2011 in the 3A classification.

The Ellis School won its first 1A championship since 2017, and its ninth overall. The Tigers previously won in 1A in 2016 and 2017, and in 2A in 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2014, and 2015.

The champions in each classification have qualified for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Field Hockey Championships, which begin on Tuesday, November 8. The championship games are set for Saturday, November 19 at Cumberland Valley High School.

3A RECAP [Bracket]
Top-seeded Pine-Richland earned its 16th shutout of the season, topping second-seeded North Allegheny, 3-0, to win its fourth straight 3A championship.

The Rams opened the scoring in the first quarter, as senior forward Emma Westerhoff found the back of the net to give the one seed a 1-0 lead. That advantage carried through the halftime break and was doubled in the third quarter courtesy of a goal from junior forward Jessica Albertson.

In the fourth quarter, sophomore midfielder Georgia Rottinghaus sealed the victory with Pine-Richland’s third goal.

The Rams won all three meetings against the Tigers this season, previously claiming a 2-1 overtime win on September 27 and a 3-1 triumph on October 20.

North Allegheny finishes the season with a 13-5-1 overall record.

2A RECAP [Bracket]
Penn-Trafford became the first school since North Allegheny to win seven consecutive WPIAL field hockey titles, capturing the 2A trophy with a 4-1 victory over second-seeded Greater Latrobe.

The top-seeded Warriors have now matched what the Tigers program accomplished from 1998-2004 when they rattled off seven straight 3A titles.

After a scoreless opening frame, Penn-Trafford scored twice in the second quarter to carry a 2-0 lead into halftime. Senior midfielder Madison Keenan netted the Warriors’ first before classmate Ella Morocco doubled the one seed’s advantage before the break.

Senior forward Gracie Eshelman made it 3-0 in favor of the Warriors in the third quarter, but the Wildcats pulled one back later in the frame with a tally from senior forward Emma Cowan.

Penn-Trafford sealed the win in the fourth quarter when junior midfielder Ava Hershberger found the back of the net.

The Warriors previously defeated Greater Latrobe twice this season, by a 4-2 margin on September 12 and a narrower 3-2 mark on October 5.

Penn-Trafford will carry a 16-4-0 record into the PIAA Championships. Greater Latrobe finishes the season at 8-5-2.

1A RECAP [Bracket]
Trailing 1-0 in the fourth quarter, The Ellis School scored three fourth-quarter goals to race past second-seeded Aquinas Academy, 3-1, and win the 1A championship.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Crusaders senior midfielder Emma McGinley scored unassisted early in the second frame to give the two seed a 1-0 advantage. That lead stood until the fourth quarter, when Tigers junior forward Rita Gianakis reset the game with an equalizing goal.

Gianakis provided the heroics in the end, scoring the go-ahead tally with less than five minutes remaining and adding an insurance goal in the final minute.

Top-seeded Ellis previously defeated Aquinas Academy for the section crown with a pair of 2-1 victories on October 12 and 17.

The Ellis School will enter the PIAA Championships with a 11-2-1 record, while Aquinas Academy completes its season with a 6-5-1 mark.

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