Aquinas Academy boys blank Riverview, reach WPIAL 2nd round for 1st time since 2016

By: Brennan Valladares
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 4:33 PM

The last time Aquinas Academy made it to the second round of the WPIAL boys soccer tournament was in 2016. That all changed Saturday afternoon.

The sixth-seeded Crusaders scored three second-half goals to knock off 11th-seeded Riverview, 3-0, in the opening round of the Class A playoffs at Peters Township.

“It’s been a long, long time since the school had an opportunity to advance in the playoffs,” coach Mat Anselmino said.

“And I think that was a mental block for a lot of the guys. And despite getting the majority of the play in the first half and creating chances, it was just going to take that first goal for them to realize we can play at this level. And once that started to happen, guys started to play with more confidence.”

The Crusaders’ win extended a four-game shutout streak. For the Raiders (7-9-1), their two-game winning streak ended along with their season.

Aquinas Academy (13-5) had 21 shots to Riverview’s 15.

Anselmino’s comment about that first goal instilling confidence in his team was evident.

In the 47th minute, senior Jonah Burchill had a chance to break the tie off a corner kick. His header was barely saved by the crossbar, but he would get another chance.

In the 63rd minute, senior Patrick Richthammer set up for a corner kick. He placed it perfectly for Burchill, whose header this time went right in, giving Aquinas a lead it would not relinquish.

Eight minutes later, the Crusaders’ second goal was set up by Richthammer again, this time to his younger brother, Michael Richthammer. Then, barely a minute later, junior John Dolan took an entry pass from Michael Richthammer and scored his third career goal.

“It was my third career goal. I didn’t even know what I was doing,” joked Dolan.

In the first half, Aquinas won the time of possession by eight minutes (24 to 8), which showed up in the shot count. The Crusaders had 11 shots to Riverview’s eight.

Aquinas had multiple opportunities to drive one in, beginning at the 10-minute mark. Patrick Richthammer nearly headed one in on a cross from Marco Anselmino. Six minutes later, Marco Anselmino centered one to Michael Richthammer, but his shot was broken up.

Marco Anselmino had a chance himself on a breakaway on the left side, but he hit the crossbar. Then, on a corner kick, Enzo Anselmino nearly scored on a header, but it was too high.

All it took was one goal to open the floodgates, and now Aquinas Academy will prepare for the winner of No. 3 Winchester Thurston and No. 14 Serra Catholic.

Said Mat Anselmino on how his team will carry the momentum of this win into the next round: “I think it’s the excitement and now realizing that the biggest hurdle has been crossed, and I think we can play with anyone.”

Added Michael Richthammer: “We have to come out like we did in this second half and show them who’s boss.”

Tags: Aquinas Academy, Riverview