A-K Valley soccer playoff preview capsules for Oct. 18, 2025

By: Bill Hartlep
Friday, October 17, 2025 | 6:48 PM

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Boys

Class 3A

First round

15-Knoch (5-12-1) at 2-Bethel Park (12-1-3)

1 p.m. Saturday, Bethel Park High School Stadium, Bethel Park

Winner plays: Winner of 7-Mars (11-5-2)/10-Penn-Trafford (10-7) in quarterfinals Wednesday (time/site TBD)

Players to watch: Austin Friedline, Knoch; Xavier Jackson, Bethel Park

Throw-ins: Knoch tied for fourth in Section 1 with Indiana at 4-7-1 to earn a playoff bid. The Knights lost their last four games after a stretch of three wins in four games. They average 1.4 goals per game and allow 2.4. … Bethel Park reached the WPIAL semifinals last season. The Black Hawks won Section 2 at 12-0-2. Their only losses were in the season opener against Peters Township and regular-season finale against Canon-McMillan. They outscored opponents 66-17 this season and allowed just 1.0 goals per game.

Class A

First round

12-Neshannock (13-4-1) at 5-Springdale (11-5)

11 a.m. Saturday, Springdale High School Athletic Field, Springdale

Winner plays: Winner of 4-Beaver County Christian (14-2)/13-Chartiers-Houston (10-7) in quarterfinals Wednesday (time/site TBD)

Players to watch: Zayden Herb, Neshannock; Brennan Mattie, Springdale

Throw-ins: Neshannock finished fourth in Section 1 at 5-4-1. The Lancers averaged 3.8 goals while allowing 1.0. They scored a 1-0 win over Beaver County Christian in double overtime and finished with key wins over South Side and Sewickley Academy. … Springdale finished second to Winchester Thurston in Section 4 at 8-2. The Dynamos averaged 3.5 goals and outscored section opponents 42-9. They posted late-season shutouts over Aquinas Academy, Trinity Christian and St. Joseph.

11-Riverview (7-8-1) vs. 6-Aquinas Academy (12-5)

Noon Saturday, Confluence Financial Partners Stadium, Peters Township

Winner plays: Winner of 3-Winchester Thurston (11-4-1)/14-Serra Catholic (6-11) in quarterfinals Wednesday (time/site TBD)

Players to watch: Greg Morse, Riverview; Marco Anselmino, Aquinas Academy

Throw-ins: Riverview finished fourth in Section 1 at 4-5-1. The Raiders averaged 2.5 goals and allowed 2.1. The Raiders won their final two games of the regular season, including a 3-2 triumph over playoff-bound Trinity Christian on Monday, after dropping four straight. Morse, a freshman, had two goals and an assist. … Aquinas Academy took second in Section 3 at 8-2 behind OLSH. The Crusaders averaged 4.1 goals and allowed 1.4. After losses to Springdale and OLSH, Aquinas finished the regular season with consecutive shutout wins over Eden Christian, Bishop Canevin and Beth-Center. Anselmino scored 22 goals this season to become Aquinas Academy’s all-time leading scorer.

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: Aquinas Academy, Bethel Park, Knoch, Neshannock, Riverview, Springdale