What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Oct. 3, 2024: Boys soccer teams jockey for playoff position

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 | 11:31 PM

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While there is no City League football Thursday to kick off the weekend schedule, there is plenty of WPIAL boys futbol on the docket.

Both Plum and Norwin have clinched a district playoff berth in Section 1-4A and Gateway is one win away from earning a spot; however, the fourth and final playoff spot could be determined Thursday.

Two teams with 2-5 section records collide for sole possession of fourth place when Hempfield (5-8) hosts Central Catholic (2-9-1).

The Vikings won the first meeting at home, 3-0, so another win over the Spartans would give them the tiebreaker advantage.

Hempfield has won three of its last four games while Central Catholic has lost three in a row and four of five since that victory at home Sept. 12.

From a focus on fourth place to first place in boys soccer, there is only one section where the top two teams are even in the loss column.

In Section 3-3A, Latrobe (9-3) is 8-1 atop the section while Franklin Regional (7-2-1) is 7-1.

Following Thursday’s matches, the Wildcats will only have two section matches left while the Panthers will have three remaining, including a trip to Latrobe next Tuesday.

On Thursday, Latrobe visits Penn-Trafford (5-3-1, 6-4-1) while Franklin Regional is home to West Mifflin (2-6, 2-7).

Tight at the top

It’s another busy day full of section contests in each of the four classifications in WPIAL girls volleyball.

It is very crowded on top of Section 3-4A as the second half of section play begins.

At the midway point, Latrobe, Hempfield and Penn-Trafford are all tied for first place with 4-1 section records, two games in front of fourth-place Plum at 2-3.

On Thursday, one of those teams will fall from first when Latrobe visits Penn-Trafford.

Hempfield is on the road visiting rival Norwin (1-4).

Another battle for first place Thursday in Class 4A girls volleyball is in Section 2. North Allegheny is 5-0, one game ahead of Pine-Richland at 4-1.

The Rams will try to earn a split of the season series and move into a tie for first with a home win over the front-running Tigers.

Duos playing for gold

Four new champions will be crowned Thursday with WPIAL girls tennis doubles championships set for 1 p.m. at Bethel Park.

In Class 3A, the top two seeds advanced and will meet in the finals.

The top-seeded duo of junior Jackie Tang and junior Michelle Yang of Mt. Lebanon will go up against No. 2 freshman Brooke Henderson and freshman Alexandra Merkel of Shady Side Academy.

In the consolation finals for a berth in the PIAA playoffs, No. 4 freshman Cassandra Lapina and freshman Sonaya Arora of Pine-Richland will face the surprise of the tournament, No. 14 senior Kaitlyn Kuczinski and freshman Carly Weber of Chartiers Valley.

The top two seeds in the 2A tournament will also collide Thursday for district gold.

No. 1-seeded senior Kristen Close and freshman Avery Allan of Quaker Valley will battle No. 2 sophomore Brea Kelly and senior Katie Hardy of North Catholic for WPIAL gold.

No. 3 senior Sasha Hoffman and sophomore Emilia Longhi of Greensburg Central Catholic will square off with No. 4 sophomore Mollie Sclichter and junior Luciana Easly of Oakland Catholic in the 2A consolation match for a berth in the state tournament.

The PIAA girls tennis singles and doubles championships will be at the Hershey Racquet Club on Nov. 1-2.