WPIAL Tabs Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer Champions at Highmark Stadium

Monday, November 8, 2021

Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) crowned champions in boys’ & girls’ soccer this past weekend, as it held its annual WPIAL Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer Championships at Highmark Stadium.

The WPIAL saw two first-time champions in girls’ soccer with Steel Valley capturing 1A and Avonworth earning the win in 2A, and repeat champions in 3A girls’ soccer (Mars) and 4A boys’ soccer (Seneca Valley).

In all, 22 different teams punched their tickets to the PIAA Championships, which start Tuesday, Nov. 9.

4A BOYS’ RECAP [Bracket]

Top-seeded Seneca Valley made it back-to-back WPIAL championships in 4A boys’ soccer, as the Raiders defeated second-seeded Peters Township, 3-1, on Saturday night in a rematch of the 2020 title tilt.

This is Seneca Valley’s third WPIAL crown overall, also winning in 2018 with a 5-1 triumph against Norwin. The Indians were pursuing their sixth WPIAL championship.

The Raiders didn’t take long to get on the board, as senior midfielder Nathan Prex unleashed a strike in the eighth minute from 25 yards out into the right corner. Prex then assisted Seneca Valley’s second tally in the 20th minute, setting up sophomore midfielder Cole Kamarec in the box to make it 2-0.

Peters Township trimmed the gap in half in the 33rd minute, as senior forward Andrew Massucci slotted the ball home off a pass from junior forward Nick Magree. That was as close as the Indians could get however, as Prex’s second goal of the night off a pass from Maxwell Marcotte in the 70th minute set the final at 3-1.

Both Seneca Valley and Peters Township have qualified for the PIAA Championships.

4A GIRLS’ RECAP [Bracket]

On the strength of a three-goal first half, second-seeded Moon captured its fourth WPIAL girls’ soccer championship with a 4-0 triumph over fourth-seeded Seneca Valley on Thursday night.

The Tigers’ newest WPIAL crown is their third in six seasons, previously claiming back-to-back 3A titles in 2016 and 2017. Moon also won gold in 2004.

It took just five minutes for the Tigers to strike, as senior Elizabeth Hoff opened the scoring. Moon doubled the lead in the 23rd minute with a Raiders own goal, and the 2-0 advantage remained nine minutes later when sophomore goalkeeper Serayah Leach made a diving save to stop Seneca Valley senior forward Zoe Simpson.

Leach’s save led to a third Tigers tally, as freshman Lauren Muhanna bent a kick inside the left post. Moon junior Hailey Longwell finished the scoring nine minutes into the second half by converting a pinballing ball inside the box off a corner kick.

Both Moon and Seneca Valley have advanced to the PIAA Championships.

3A BOYS’ RECAP [Bracket]

Hampton snapped a 10-year championship drought on Saturday afternoon, as the second-seeded Talbots defeated top-seeded West Allegheny, 1-0, to claim the WPIAL 3A boys’ soccer crown.

This is the fourth WPIAL title for Hampton, as it previously won in the 2A classification in 1990, 2010, and 2011.

Following a scoreless first half, the Indians nearly went ahead in the 51st minute when senior forward Will Douglas’ attempt grazed the left post. The Talbots took advantage 14 minutes later when senior Zach Panza buried a header off the corner kick to put his team ahead, 1-0.

West Allegheny nearly had an equalizer in the 73rd minute, but Panza tracked back to clear an attempt from junior midfielder Logan Mackey off the line.

The Indians were pursuing their second WPIAL title in their sixth championship game appearance. West Allegheny had won in 2013, and finished runner-up in 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Hampton, West Allegheny, and third-seeded Franklin Regional all have advanced to the PIAA Championships. The Panthers defeated fourth-seeded Plum via penalty kicks, 2-1, in Wednesday’s third-place consolation match at Gateway.

3A GIRLS’ RECAP [RECAP]

Top-seeded Mars made it three straight WPIAL titles on Saturday afternoon, outlasting second-seeded Plum, 2-1.

The Fightin’ Planets and Mustangs have been championship foes in each of the last three seasons, with the former emerging victorious in each of those matchups. Mars is now an eight-time WPIAL girls’ soccer champion, winning crowns in 2000, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2020.

Just six minutes in the Fightin’ Planets struck as Piper Coffield headed in a cross from Gwen Howell. That 1-0 advantage remained until it was doubled in the 49th minute when Ainsley Ray knocked in the ball following a scramble in the box.

Plum fought back and snagged a goal in the 58th minute, as Kaitlyn Killinger pounced on a rebound to trim the Mars lead in half. However, the Fightin’ Planets held strong from there to seal the victory.

The Mustangs are still searching for their first WPIAL girls’ soccer championship.

Mars, Plum, and fifth-seeded all have qualified for the PIAA Championships. The Spartans toppled South Fayette, 2-0, in Thursday’s third-place consolation match at North Allegheny.

2A BOYS’ RECAP [Bracket]

A five-point performance by senior forward Keller Chamovitz lifted second-seeded Quaker Valley to its 10th WPIAL boys’ soccer championship, as the Quakers dispatched of ninth-seeded North Catholic, 5-0, on Thursday evening.

Quaker Valley claimed its fourth WPIAL crown in the last 10 seasons, while North Catholic was making its first WPIAL Championship Game appearance since playing in the 1A final in 2016.

Chamovitz opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a finish at the back post, then netted his second 13 minutes later with a curler from outside the box into the opposite upper 90.

In the 63rd minute, Chamovitz set up his classmate Ryan Edwards on a corner kick, finding the senior’s head for a tally at the near post. The hat trick came in the 74th minute with another bending shot from the left edge, and the fourth and final goal arrived four minutes later with a run into the box.

The Quakers previously won WPIAL boys’ soccer gold in 1985, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2012, 2016, and 2019.

Quaker Valley, North Catholic, and sixth-seeded Ambridge all have advanced to the PIAA Championships. The Bridgers were victorious over fourth-seeded Charleroi, 6-1, in Wednesday’s third-place consolation match at Peters Township.

2A GIRLS’ RECAP [Bracket]

Avonworth captured its first WPIAL girls’ soccer championship in style, as the sixth-seeded Antelopes used a goal from freshman midfielder Fiona Mahan in the second overtime to defeat top-seeded North Catholic, 2-1, on Saturday morning.

The Trojans were attempting to become the first school since Mars in 2010-12 to win three consecutive WPIAL 2A girls’ soccer titles. This was the Antelopes’ third-ever WPIAL Final Four appearance, and second championship game bid after falling to North Catholic, 1-0, in the 2020 version.

The scoring opened in the 22nd minute when Avonworth senior forward Mia Burens tucked a shot inside the right post. That lead was short-lived however, as the Trojans answered via Lauren McDonald, as the junior midfielder unleashed a rocket from inside the box.

Burens nearly had the go-ahead goal in the 68th minute, only to see North Catholic sophomore goalkeeper Rylee Kumer deny her with a diving save to her left.

Avonworth controlled the overtime periods, first almost grabbing a winner in the 91st minute with a Mahan strike just over the crossbar. Burens put an attempt just over in the 99th minute, then Mahan provided the heroics two minutes later with a 30-yard strike that grazed over Kumer and into the back of the net.

Avonworth, North Catholic, and second-seeded Southmoreland all have advanced to the PIAA Championships. The Scotties were victorious against fifth-seeded Shady Side Academy, 3-2, in Thursday’s third-place consolation match at Norwin.

1A BOYS’ RECAP [Bracket]

The third time was the charm for second-seeded Winchester Thurston on Friday night, as it used three goals in the final 20 minutes to defeat top-seeded Greensburg Central Catholic, 3-1, to capture the WPIAL 1A boys’ crown.

This is the Bears’ second WPIAL title, previously capturing the gold in 2014 with a 1-0 (PK) win over Sewickley Academy. The Centurions were attempting to become the first school to win three consecutive WPIAL championships in 1A boys’ soccer.

GCC struck in the 20th minute courtesy of Carlo Denis, as the junior midfielder buried a rocket from outside the box. That scoreline carried over a 40-minute stretch before the Bears would answer, as junior midfielder Alex Hauskrecht scored off a corner kick to bring it to a 1-1 deadlock.

Winchester Thurston took a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute courtesy of junior forward Jordan Pollar-Prince, who cashed in on a rebound in the box. The Bears added an insurance goal with two minutes remaining as sophomore forward Tomer Tuti calmly finished at the back post.

Winchester Thurston, Greensburg Central Catholic, and fifth-seeded Eden Christian Academy all have qualified to the PIAA Championships. The Warriors topped 11th-seeded Riverside, 2-1, in Thursday’s third-place consolation match at North Allegheny.

1A GIRLS’ RECAP [Bracket]

An overtime goal by freshman midfielder Therese Doering gave third-seeded Steel Valley its first WPIAL girls’ soccer crown in school history, as the Ironmen topped first-seeded Greensburg Central Catholic, 2-1, on Friday night.

Steel Valley was making its first appearance in the WPIAL Championship Game, with a semifinal run in the 2020 tournament being its previous best. The Centurions were attempting to make it back-to-back titles after defeating Our Lady of Sacred Heart last year, 3-2.

After a scoreless first half, GCC dented the scoreboard in the 63rd minute when junior forward Sara Felder finished a through pass from senior midfielder Tatum Gretz. The Ironmen equalized with five minutes in regulation, as senior midfielder Kelsey Salopek connected with Soraya Gibbs on a free kick, with the senior forward heading home the cross.

It was freshman midfielder Therese Doering who would play hero nine minutes into overtime, as she pounced on a bouncing ball in the box to send the Steel Valley faithful into a frenzy.

This was the first overtime contest in the 1A girls’ soccer final since 2015, when Greensburg Central Catholic defeated Charleroi in two extra frames, 1-0.

Steel Valley, Greensburg Central Catholic, and fifth-seeded Freedom Area all have advanced to the PIAA Championships. The Bulldogs defeated second-seeded Springdale, 6-0, in Wednesday’s third-place consolation match at North Allegheny.

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