WPIAL Soccer Opens With Big Upsets
Monday's first-round results delivered several shocking defeats for top seeds, setting the stage for Thursday's quarterfinals.
By Alessia Diallo ·
High school soccer fans across the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League saw their brackets shift on Monday night. The opening round of the postseason produced a mix of dominant performances and unexpected results. Several top-seeded teams fell to lower-ranked opponents. These outcomes will define the matchups on Thursday.
The most dramatic reversal came in Class 2A boys soccer. Ambridge, ranked No. 13, defeated No. 4 Elizabeth Forward 4-3 in overtime. Aaron Scheib scored four goals for the underdogs. He tied the game with 2:15 remaining in regulation and scored the winner in extra time. Elizabeth Forward relied on Aidan Davis and Luca Valerio for their three goals.
In Class A girls soccer, No. 14 Springdale pulled off an upset against No. 3 Brownsville. The Dynamos won 3-2. Ainsley Wade contributed a goal and an assist. Adele Walters-Vrabel and Makenna Haas also found the back of the net. Brownsville received goals from Gloria Kovscek and Ellie Haddad. This victory secures Springdale a quarterfinal spot against No. 6 Riverview.
Established programs maintained their dominance in other brackets. Sewickley Academy, the top seed in Class A girls soccer, defeated Beth-Center 12-0. Emma Eannarino scored three goals, including her 100th career goal. Claire Karsman also had three goals for the Panthers. They will face No. 8 Carlynton on Thursday. Carlynton advanced with a 9-0 win over Steel Valley.
Mars girls soccer, ranked No. 4 in Class 3A, shut out West Allegheny 5-0. Jade Breese recorded a hat trick. Miley Gratton and Makenna Weaver added one goal each. The Fightin’ Planets will meet No. 5 South Fayette in the quarterfinals. South Fayette won their opening match 4-0 against Franklin Regional.
Penn-Trafford, the top seed in Class 5A girls soccer, beat Albert Gallatin 8-0. Ellie Lebe had two goals and two assists. Zoe Bell contributed a goal and two assists. The Warriors will play No. 8 Hampton on Thursday. Hampton advanced with a 3-1 victory over Moon.
In Class A boys soccer, North Catholic defeated Burrell 6-0. Matthew Liscinsky scored twice. Ryan Mueser added a goal and two assists. The Trojans will face No. 6 Shady Side Academy. Shady Side won their first-round match against Seton LaSalle 3-0.
Avonworth, the No. 1 seed in Class 2A boys soccer, beat West Mifflin 5-2. Carlos Miranda recorded a goal and two assists. The Antelopes will meet No. 9 Quaker Valley. Quaker Valley advanced after a 2-0 win over Freeport, with Luca Kurumfashe scoring both goals.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
