On Saturday, WPIAL soccer playoffs continue with quarterfinal round matches in Girls Class 2A and Class 1A and Boys Class 4A.
Below you’ll see the schedule for Saturday along with PSN’s outlook for Girls Class 1A playoffs have reached the ‘Elite Eight’ as most of the higher seeds advanced in Tuesday’s first round, but things will get more difficult for the higher seeds to keep rolling.
WPIAL Girls Class 1A Playoffs Schedule & Bracket
Quarterfinal Round (Saturday, October 25)
11:00am #9 Carlynton (10-7-1) vs #1 Sewickley Academy (15-1-0) at Quaker Valley
12:00pm #11 Waynesburg Central (9-4-2) vs #3 Seton LaSalle (13-4-0) at Peters Township MS
12:00pm #5 Riverside (8-3-1) at #4 Springdale (10-1-1)
4:00pm #10 Our Lady of Sacred Heart (7-6-1) vs #2 Bentworth at Peters Township MS
winners to move on to Semifinal Round to be played on Tuesday (site/times TBA)
First Round (Tuesday, October 21)
WPIAL Girls Class 1A Playoffs — First Round Scoreboard
First Round (Tuesday, October 21)
FINAL: #11 Waynesburg Central 1, #6 Winchester Thurston 0
FINAL: #3 Seton LaSalle 4, #14 Brownsville 0
FINAL: #2 Bentworth 3, #15 Freedom 2
FINAL: #4 Springdale 2, #13 Chartiers-Houston 1
FINAL: #9 Carlynton 2, #8 Eden Christian 1 (Extra Time)
FINAL: #5 Riverside 1, #12 Riverview 1 (Riverside wins PK Shootout, 5-4)
FINAL: #10 Our Lady of Sacred Heart 1, #7 Aquinas Academy 0
FINAL: #1 Sewickley Academy 7, #16 Ellis School 0
PSN’s Girls Class 1A Tournament Outlook
If this year’s Class 1A Girls Soccer tournament is anything like it was a year ago, we’ll be in for a treat.
If you recall, last year’s eight-match District Championship weekend whirlwind began with Springdale-Winchester Thurston high scoring affair, where the Dynamos outlasted the Bears, 5-3.
However, this year, Springdale is back in the mix, but there’s a host a teams’ who can rise to the top in this field.
Judging from our recent Coaches Corner survey about top teams in this classification, most coaches agree that it’s going to be there for the taking.
“Looks like could be really wide open for the top eight teams. There’s a good chance the WPIAL could have a new, first-time champion this year in 1A.”
Another believes that there are middle-and-lower seeded teams that could wreak havoc. Considering there was a period of time from 2010-2019, where only two or three programs dominated this classification, things have come a long way.
One coach points out: “The most interesting part is how tough the bottom seeds 12-15 could be super tough matchups for seeds 2-5. Many of the (section) champions won’t have easy run.”
The top-ranked team is Sewickley Academy, who have been the closest to being a very dominant team this season at this level, losing only once (to Class 2A neighbors, Quaker Valley) while going unbeaten in section that includes a talented Seton LaSalle side.
Bentworth’s longtime coach, Tyler Hamstra, reaped the benefits of having an experienced squad, as the Bearcats had a heck of a regular season. One coach pointed out: “Bentworth has a solid group of Seniors and should make a run this year” and another added “Bentworth spreads the field well and passes well.”
The other top four seeds include the second-place team in Section 3, Seton LaSalle and the defending champs, Springdale.
Seton LaSalle’s only losses in section play came in a pair of one-goal results to Sewickley Academy (3-2 and 1-0). The Rebels have not been shy about playing up in Class, facing 3A Moon (losing 3-0), 2A Deer Lakes (3-1 loss) and earning wins against Armstrong (5-3) and Keystone Oaks (4-1).
Springdale featured a balanced attack with sophomore Tessa Derringer, senior Hailey Marchlewski and freshman Adele Walters-Vrabel, senior Lacey Shondeck combining for 40 goals. Head Coach Marc Bentley’s name came up in Coaches Corner survey as someone who is tough to play against and has a well thought out game-plan.
Are there any potential sleepers lurking among this Girls Class 1A field?
Though they won a Section title, the WPIAL selection committee tabbed Riverside at 5-seed in the tournament. The Panthers took the section title by thwarting challenges from Eden Christian and OLSH and snapping a three-match losing streak with a 2-1 win over Mohawk.
While in our preliminary outlook, Winchester Thurston was tabbed as a potential sleeper, but they were upended in the first round by Waynesburg Central, as s Ella Kincer’s goal 23 minutes into the second half proved to be the difference.
There are a number of programs in Class 1A that saw marked improvement this season — which could only mean that some of what the coaches were trying to say, about teams in the lower seeds being dangerous as the tournament kicks off.
Carlynton is one of those teams.
“I am excited. We are growing and getting better and better each game. We have loads of potential this year.” Heather Ritz, Carlynton’s Head Coach, shared with PSN.
Carlynton finished third to Sewickley Academy and Seton LaSalle, while wrapping up the regular season winning three of its last four matches.
Ritz added: “Bella D’Antonio has been very solid and strong in the center mid positions for us. She is a sophomore and has many goals and assists already. Mary Crawford is a freshman and is leading the team in goals scored, as a forward. Sophia OBrien, Riley Mauro and Gigi Choate are also successful with many goals and assists.”
Sure enough, Carlynton built upon its regular season progress with a first round playoff win, beating Eden Christian, 2-1, in extra time when Riley Mauro scored for the Golden Cougars in regulation before Gigi Choate’s goal from 18 yards out gave them the win in overtime.
Next up — they’ll really see if they can shake up Class 1A tourney against No. Sewickley Academy on Saturday.
More PSN High School Soccer Content
Plus, be sure to check out our latest subscriber feature, High School Girls Coaches Corner for more insights on the upcoming post season from numerous coaches.
PSN Presents High School Coaches Corner: Girls coaches share insights from early season
