What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Nov. 5, 2024: Mars girls soccer begins state playoff quest

By: Don Rebel
Monday, November 4, 2024 | 11:26 PM

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On this busy day, a new President of the United States may or may not be determined by the end of the day and a new football player may or may not be acquired by the Pittsburgh Steelers by the end of the NFL trading deadline, but the PIAA playoffs in soccer, volleyball and field hockey will definitely begin.

The girls soccer state playoffs have been an out-of-this-world experience for two WPIAL programs.

The Mars girls won three straight Class 3A state soccer titles from 2019-2021, while Moon captured PIAA 4A gold in 2021 and 3A crowns in 2022 and 2023.

While the Tigers did not qualify this season, ending their three-year championship run, the Fightin’ Planets are part of the 3A field that begins play on the pitch Tuesday.

Mars (18-3), the third team out of the WPIAL, heads north to play District 10 champion Harbor Creek (12-7) at 6 p.m.

Here are the other 10 first-round girls soccer state playoff matches involving WPIAL teams:

• In Class 4A, WPIAL champion Peters Township (19-0-1) will host Central Dauphin (16-2-1) out of District 3 at 4 p.m.

• In 4A, Seneca Valley (14-3-2) heads east to challenge District 6 winner Altoona (15-5) at Mansion Park in Altoona at 7 p.m.

• In Class 3A, District 7 champ South Fayette (19-3) hosts District 9 winner DuBois (17-3) at 7 p.m.

• In 3A, Fox Chapel (18-4) heads east to take on District 6 champion Hollidaysburg (15-4-1) at 6 p.m.

• In Class 2A, WPIAL title holder Quaker Valley (17-2-2) is home to District 10 runner-up Fort LeBoeuf (14-5) at 6 p.m.

• In 2A, WPIAL runner-up Burrell (14-6-1) goes north to Erie to battle District 10 champ Cathedral Prep (17-2-1) at the Hagerty Family Events Center at 6 p.m.

• In 2A, North Catholic (16-4) will battle District 5 winner Bedford (18-0-1) at Windber HS at 6 p.m.

• In Class A, District 7 champion Springdale (17-1) takes on District 5 runner-up Conemaugh Township (16-4-1) in a match at Fox Chapel at 7 p.m.

• In Class A, WPIAL runner-up Winchester Thurston (15-6) travels to face District 9 winner Karns City (16-4) at 6 p.m.

• In Class A, Seton LaSalle (15-3-2) will visit District 5 champ McConnellsburg (19-2-1) at 5 p.m.

Drought on the pitch

Three years ago, the WPIAL claimed three of the four boys soccer championships in the PIAA playoffs.

However, over the last two state postseasons in boys soccer, the only District 7 team to win gold was Seneca Valley capturing the 4A crown in 2022.

One defending PIAA champion from the west a year ago was Cathedral Prep. The Ramblers won the PIAA Class 3A title and are now in the 2A tournament this fall.

District 10 runner-up Cathedral Prep (15-6) heads to the Pittsburgh area Tuesday to challenge newly minted WPIAL 2A champion South Park (20-0-2) at 6 p.m.

Here are the other 10 first-round boys soccer state playoff matches involving WPIAL teams and one match with the City League champion:

• In Class 4A, WPIAL champion Fox Chapel (13-4-2) will host Mechanicsburg (10-8-3) from District 3 at 5 p.m.

• In 4A, District 7 runner-up Plum (17-1-3) heads north to Erie to go up against District 10 champion McDowell (16-4) at 6 p.m.

• In Class 3A, WPIAL champ and undefeated Moon (22-0) will host Lampeter-Strasburg (16-2-3) from District 3 at 6 p.m.

• In 3A, D-7 finalist Franklin Regional (15-3-3) heads east to clash with District 6 winner Bellefonte (15-3-3) at 5:30 p.m.

• In 3A, 2020 state champion Mars (16-2-4) visits District 3 chmapion Conrad Weiser (21-1) at 5 p.m.

• In 3A, City League champ Allderdice (13-4-1) goes up against District 10 champion General McLane (16-3) at George Cupples Stadium on the South Side of Pittsburgh at 6 p.m.

• In Class 2A, WPIAL runner-up Avonworth (17-3-2) visits District 5 winner Bedford (14-3-3) at 6 p.m.

• In 2A, Deer Lakes (18-3-1) from the WPIAL heads north to battle District 10 winner Fairview (19-2) at 7 p.m.

• In Class A, undefeated WPIAL champion Bentworth (19-0) will go up against District 6 champ Westmont-Hilltop (12-8) at Big Mac Stadium in Canonsburg at 6 p.m.

• In Class A, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (15-3) finished second in District 7 and will visit Brockway (12-6-1) at 7 p.m.

• In Class A, Eden Christian Academy (11-7-2) from the WPIAL draws District 10 winner Mercyhurst Prep (15-6) in a match to be played at Fairview HS at 5 p.m.

NA is black and golden

While District 1 power Pope John Paul begins its quest for a third straight PIAA Class 3A girls volleyball championship, it has a ways to go to match what North Allegheny continues to do in Class 4A.

The Tigers have already reached seventh heaven, so now they believe eight would be great.

Since 2017, no other school has won the 4A state crown except for NA.

North Allegheny’s efforts for an eighth consecutive state girls volleyball championship begins at home Tuesday when it welcomes Manheim Township (16-4) from District 3 at 6 p.m. on Trib HSSN.

Here are the other 11 first-round girls volleyball state playoff matches involving WPIAL teams:

• In Class 4A, District 7 runners-up North Catholic (16-3) head east to visit District 6 champ State College (13-2) at 6 p.m.

• In Class 3A, fresh off a WPIAL title run, Mars (18-4) will host District 6 champion Central Mountain (14-2) at 6 p.m.

• In 3A, D-7 second place Beaver (18-4) challenges District 9 winner DuBois (17-1) at 6 p.m.

• In 3A, Hampton (14-6) from the WPIAL heads north to battle District 10 champ Meadville (13-1) at 6 p.m.

• In Class 2A, WPIAL winner Quaker Valley (18-2) welcomes District 10 runner-up Cathedral Prep (15-5) at 6:30 p.m.

• In 2A, District 7 runners-up Hopewell (17-3) visits District 6 champion Richland (19-1) at 7 p.m.

• In 2A, Neshannock (16-2) from the WPIAL squares off with District 10 champ Corry (16-1) at 6 p.m.

• In 2A, Southmoreland (16-5) from District 7 travels to District 5 winner North Star (15-4) at 7 p.m.

• In Class A, Greensburg Central Catholic (17-3), the new champion of the WPIAL, hosts District 9 second place Clarion-Limestone (18-1) at 6 p.m.

• In Class A, WPIAL runners-up Frazier (15-4) visits District 10 champion Saegertown (12-4) at 7 p.m.

• In Class A, Eden Christian Academy (21-3) from the WPIAL visits District 9 winner Clarion (12-4) at 6 p.m.

WPIAL champs only

Much like lacrosse in the spring, field hockey is a sport that has been dominated by schools in the central and eastern part of the state since the inception of PIAA championships 50 years ago.

No WPIAL school has ever reached the PIAA finals in field hockey.

Only the District 7 champions earn a berth in the two-week tournament.

A year ago, all three WPIAL champions were bounced in the first round.

On Tuesday, the three District 7 winners from Saturday will be home in an effort to pick up a rare victory on the state stage.

Class 3A champion Pine-Richland (20-0) tries to remain undefeated when it hosts Mechanicsburg (16-5-1), the No. 3 seed out of District 3, at 6 p.m.

Class 2A WPIAL winner, Peters Township (16-3), will be home to Hershey (11-9), the No. 4 seed out of District 3, at 6:30 p.m.

Finally, in Class A, WPIAL champion Shady Side Academy (17-4-1) welcomes Camp Hill Trinity (17-4-1), the No. 4 seed from District 3, at 6 p.m.