Boys soccer matchup between Upper St. Clair, Peters Township among 3 things to watch Tuesday in high school sports

By: Don Rebel
Monday, September 2, 2019 | 8:46 PM

From 2000-15, the South Hills dominated WPIAL boys’ soccer’s highest classification.

Fifteen of the century’s first 16 Class AAA champions were Bethel Park, Canon-McMillan, Mt. Lebanon, Peters Township or Upper St. Clair. The exception was 2005, when Plum won it all.

While the power has swung to the north in the three years after soccer expanded to four classes, there is still some good soccer played in the South Hills.

Section 2 had four of the eight quarterfinalists a year ago, but Peters Township and Mt. Lebanon lost in the quarters, and Upper St. Clair and Canon-McMillan lost in the semifinals.

Tuesday marks the opening of section play in boys soccer, and one of the top matches is Upper St. Clair hosting Peters Township.

A year ago, the Panthers swept the Indians by scores of 4-2 and 2-1. In 2017, it was Peters taking two from USC.

In fact, these two rivals haven’t split a regular season series since 2015.

Out-of-section standout

There are 48 WPIAL boys soccer section openers Tuesday.

One of the better matchups, though, is a nonsection contest between West Allegheny and Quaker Valley.

Both played for gold a year ago and had to settle for silver in their respective classes.

West Allegheny lost to Franklin Regional, 1-0, in the Class AAA finals, and Quaker Valley was knocked off by Shady Side Academy in a shootout in the Class AA title match.

The Quakers were Class AA champs three years ago, and it has been six years since the Indians won district gold in Class AA.

Defense begins

Tuesday also marks the start of section play in WPIAL girls volleyball.

All four defending WPIAL champions hit the court to begin defending their crowns with section matches.

Bishop Canevin is at Cornell top open Section 3-A play. The Crusaders have won the last two WPIAL Class A titles.

North Catholic is also on the road as it travels to South Park in a Section 2-AA opener.

Knoch visits Blackhawk in a Section 4-AAA match. The Knights are one of three teams (along with North Allegheny and Bishop Canevin) looking for a WPIAL three-peat in 2019.

North Allegheny is the only 2018 champ to open section play at home. The Tigers host Shaler in Section 1-AAAA. The match can be heard at 7 p.m. here at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Knoch, North Allegheny, North Catholic, Peters Township, Quaker Valley, Upper St. Clair, West Allegheny