2024 WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer championship breakdown: South Park vs. Avonworth
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Friday, November 1, 2024 | 11:01 AM
Avonworth’s Abdul Basit battles Deer Lakes’ Zane Spence for possession during their WPIAL Class 2A semifinal on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at North Allegheny.
South Park’s Daniel Battista moves the ball against Burrell during their WPIAL Class 2A semifinal on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at North Allegheny.
WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer championship
1-South Park (19-1-1) vs. 2-Avonworth (17-2-2)
1:15 p.m. Saturday, Highmark Stadium
Tickets: $10 general admission
Coaches: Jon Cantwell, South Park; Tom Angell, Avonworth
Players to watch: Danny Battista, South Park; Rowan Carmichael, Avonworth
WPIAL titles: South Park 4 (2005, ‘06, ‘14, ‘23); Avonworth 1 (2018)
Playoff path: South Park defeated No. 16 Waynesburg Central, 6-0, in the first round; No. 9 Central Valley, 3-0, in the quarterfinals; and No. 13 Burrell, 3-0. Avonworth beat No. 15 McGuffey, 7-0; No. 10 Shady Side Academy, 1-0 in overtime, in the quarterfinals; and No. 3 Deer Lakes, 3-1, in the semifinals.
Corner kicks: South Park won the 2023 WPIAL title with a 1-0 victory over Quaker Valley. The Eagles kept up the momentum this season, rolling to the Section 3 title at 13-0-1. They outscored opponents 90-11 thus far. Their lone loss came against Moon on Sept. 14. South Park has posted 11 shutouts, including its past four victories. Coach Jon Cantwell was named the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Class 2A coach of the year. Danny Battista was tabbed the player of the year. Battista was joined on the all-WPIAL team by teammates Caden Loveland, Ryan Ellis, Ryan Wesolowski and Cooper Hochendoner. Battista, who scored 21 goals in the regular season, had two goals in the semifinals. Wesolowski also scored. … Avonworth captured the Section 2 title at 14-1-1. The ‘Lopes average 5.3 goals per game. They are 10-0-1 in their past 11 games. Representing Avonworth on the all-WPIAL team are Abdul Wahab, Abdul Basit and Rowan Carmichael. Carmichael scored twice in the semifinal victory. Nathan Kline added a goal. Basit had 18 goals in the regular season.
Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.
Tags: Avonworth, South Park
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