Alle-Kiski Valley high school week ahead: Week of Oct. 2, 2017

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, October 1, 2017 | 7:24 PM

Monday

• The tight Section 2-AA girls soccer race continues as Burrell hosts Springdale. The teams are tied for second place and hoping to move closer to clinching a playoff berth. Burrell (5-3-1, 4-3) saw its five-game winning streak end last week against Freeport. Springdale's three-game streak ended with a loss to Deer Lakes, but the Dynamos (6-3, 4-3) beat Burrell, 1-0, earlier this season.

• After making the playoffs for the first time last season, Apollo-Ridge can make it two in a row with a win at Riverview. Apollo-Ridge (6-2, 5-2) won 3-0 on Saturday. Riverview (2-8, 2-5) is looking to snap a five-game losing skid.

• It's a great day for hockey as the PIHL opens its season. Alle-Kiski Valley teams in action include Burrell, Deer Lakes and Plum.

• A big nonsection girls volleyball matchup takes place as Freeport hosts Knoch. Freeport was the top-ranked team in Class AA in the latest WPIAL coaches poll, and Knoch was No. 1 in Class AAA.

Tuesday

• The Leechburg girls volleyball team continues to push for a playoff berth, and the Blue Devils could make a strong statement with a Section 4-A victory over Greensburg Central Catholic. The Centurions are ranked No. 7 in Class A.

• Central Catholic dealt the Plum boys soccer team its only Section 3-4A loss of the season to this point, but the Mustangs (8-3, 8-1) can get revenge when they host the Vikings (7-2-2, 7-0-1). First place in the section is up for grabs.

• A trio of Fox Chapel boys golfers will take aim at an individual WPIAL title at the Class AAA championships at Nemacolin Country Club: junior Gregor Meyer and sophomores Scott Bitar and Amani Dambrosio.

Wednesday

• Springdale girls soccer controlled the action in its first matchup against East Allegheny, firing more than 20 shots on goal. However, the Dynamos lost because of a hat trick from Amani Johnson and 23 saves from her sister, Amaia. The teams meet again in a matchup that could determine a playoff spot.

• The WPIAL Class AA and AAA individual golf championships tee off at Diamond Run Golf Club. Fox Chapel senior Hannah Conroy is in the Class AAA field.

Thursday

• Riverview hoped to challenge for the Section 3-A boys soccer title this season, and with the playoffs looming the Raiders (8-3-1, 7-2-1) have a chance at a signature victory as they host defending section champion Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic (12-0, 10-0) at Riverside Park. The first-place Trojans beat Riverview, 7-0, earlier this season.

• Freeport won the Section 2-AA boys soccer championship last season, but a pair of losses in the first half of section play put the Yellowjackets (9-3, 7-2) behind in their quest for a repeat. They'll get a chance to avenge one of those losses when they travel to first-place Mt. Pleasant (10-2, 9-0).

Friday

• Highlands is in the middle of a competitive playoff race in Class 4A's Northwest Nine, and the Golden Rams (3-2, 2-2) have a chance at a pivotal victory with a game against second-place Montour (4-1, 4-1).

• Coming off a loss to Allegheny Conference frontrunner Seton LaSalle, Apollo-Ridge (4-2, 2-2) faces another of the league's top teams when the Vikings visit Freeport. The Yellowjackets (4-1, 3-0), hoping to win their second Allegheny title in three years, are coming off a 44-0 victory over Burrell, their second shutout of the season.

Saturday

• An intriguing football matchup as Valley visits Shady Side Academy and its star quarterback Skyy Moore, a New Kensington native. Valley (1-4, 1-2) is still alive in the Allegheny Conference playoff race, but the Vikings need a win to keep those hopes realistic.

• After beating defending state champion Canon-McMillan last week, Kiski Area's girls soccer (5-3, 3-2) takes aim at Section 4-4A rival Penn-Trafford. The first-place Warriors (9-2, 5-0) picked up a big win last week, taking down two-time defending WPIAL champion Norwin.

Week in review

Up to par: St. Joseph senior Derek Petrishen qualified for the PIAA Class AA golf regionals for the first time, surviving two playoff holes at the WPIAL championships to advance.

Off and running: Fox Chapel's cross country teams continued their strong season by sweeping the competition at the section championships last week at Northmoreland Par.