What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023: As boys soccer season winds down, key matches remain

By: Don Rebel
Monday, October 9, 2023 | 11:19 PM

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With one week left in section play, there are several key matches in a fight for a WPIAL boys soccer playoff spot on the 10th day of the 10th month of the year.

There are also two big matches Tuesday between teams that have already punched their postseason ticket and have bigger fish to fry in their remaining section games: winning a section championship.

In Section 2-3A, Moon is 10-0-1 and has a half-game lead over Montour at 10-1.

The Tigers visit the Spartans in a West Hills clash with nearly a winner-take-all feel to it.

While both teams still have two section matches remaining, a win all but clinches the section crown for Moon while a victory would put Montour in first place and in control of its own destiny. A tie would keep the Tigers up by a slim margin.

Defending champion Moon edged Montour in the first meeting last month, 2-1.

The margin is even closer in Section 3-2A because there is no margin.

Belle Vernon and Mt. Pleasant are tied for first place with 11-1 records heading into their likely section title match Tuesday at Mt. Pleasant.

Again, both teams have two section games remaining, but having a one-game lead with two matches left is huge.

In their first meeting this season Sept. 14, the Leopards blanked the Vikings, 1-0.

Belle Vernon’s lone section loss came in their next contest after that big win as they fell to McGuffey, 2-1.

More key clashes

The only playoff spot up for grabs in Class 4A is the battle for fourth place in Section 2.

Canon-McMillan is 7-4-1 in section play and has a one-game lead over Mt. Lebanon at 6-5-1.

The Blue Devils have the tiebreaker at 1-0-1 this season against the Big Macs, so Canon-Mac has to finish ahead of Lebo.

On Tuesday, both schools are home. Canon-McMillan hosts Allderdice (2-8) while Mt. Lebanon is home to Norwin (9-3).

In Section 1-2A, Elizabeth Forward currently resides in fourth place with a 7-4-1 section record, a game in front of Woodland Hills at 6-5.

The two teams meet at Woodland Hills on Tuesday. A Warriors win clinches a playoff spot for EF while a Wolverines home victory puts them in control of their own destiny in their final two section matches.

Elizabeth Forward shut out Woodland Hills in their first meeting, 3-0.

Finally in Section 1-A, the two teams fighting for first place do battle with the two teams locking horns for fourth place on Tuesday.

Sewickley Academy (8-1-1) and Eden Christian Academy (7-1-2) are even in the loss column at the top of the section while Beaver County Christian (5-5-1) has a one game lead over Neshannock (3-6-1).

On Tuesday, Neshannock visits Sewickley Academy while Beaver County Christian is home to Eden Christian Academy.

Serving on the bubble

Tuesday marks another busy day of section action in WPIAL girls volleyball.

While there are no battles for first place in head-to-head action, there are plenty of teams fighting for fourth place and a postseason spot in several sections.

In Section 1-4A, Butler (1-5) visits North Hills (1-4).

In Section 3-4A, Fox Chapel (1-5) travels to Norwin (1-4).

In Section 2-3A, Moon (3-5) hosts Montour (3-6). West Allegheny is in the mix as well at 3-5 and visits second place South Fayette.

In Section 3-3A, Albert Gallatin (4-6) welcomes Belle Vernon (5-5). Elizabeth Forward is also 4-6 and hosts third-place Laurel Highlands.

In Section 3-2A, Bentworth (6-7) is home to Charleroi (6-6). Brownsville is 6-6 as well and is home to eighth-place Beth-Center.

In Section 4-2A, New Brighton (4-6) is on the road to face Hopewell (5-5). Central Valley is 4-6 too and visits second-place Avonworth.

Team tennis continues

The WPIAL girls team tennis playoffs began in Class 3A with first-round matches Monday.

Now on Tuesday, the 2A tournament begins.

Top-seed Knoch won WPIAL 2A gold for a second straight season in 2022 and is trying to win three district team tennis titles in the last four years.

The championships are set for the Janet L. Swanson Tennis Center at Washington & Jefferson College on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

All seven opening-round matches are set for 3 p.m.

Class 2A first round

No. 1 Knoch Knights – bye

No. 9 Winchester Thurston Bears at No. 8 Chartiers Valley Colts

No. 12 South Park Eagles at No. 5 Hampton Talbots at Hampton Community Park

No. 13 Central Valley Warriors at No. 4 Indiana Little Indians at White Township Park

No. 14 Southmoreland Scotties at No. 3 North Catholic Trojans at Cranberry Township Park

No. 11 Montour Spartans at No. 6 Beaver Bobcats at Brady’s Run Park

No. 10 Derry Trojans at No. 7 Quaker Valley Quakers

No. 15 McGuffey Highlanders at No. 2 Sewickley Academy Panthers