Hockey

Senior-led Hempfield relishes run to WPIAL field hockey playoffs

November 3, 2021

You could say Hempfield’s early exit from the WPIAL field hockey playoffs has cast a persistent pall of doubt over a program that, until this year, hadn’t even sniffed a postseason opportunity. But it did little to break the Spartans’ spirit.

Latrobe’s Lauren Sapp works out with her teammates during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, at Greater Latrobe High School.

Latrobe field hockey encouraged by strong playoff showing

November 2, 2021

A pair of inmates, a princess, a frat boy and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich were key components in the final Latrobe field hockey practice of 2021.

The Fox Chapel field hockey team finished as the WPIAL Class 2A runner-up.

Fox Chapel field hockey team relishes another trip to WPIAL finals

Fox Chapel secured the No. 2 seed in the WPIAL Class 2A field hockey playoffs for the second year in a row.

Quaker Valley’s Max Quinn was named the team MVP last season after producing 13 goals and 13 assists.

Senior sparks Quaker Valley hockey team with high-energy game

October 31, 2021

Max Quinn is known for his hard-charging, high-energy attitude on the ice.

Penn-Trafford’s Ryan Crombie moves the puck in front of Latrobe’s Jack Beddick during a game last season.

Buzz building for Penn-Trafford hockey team

There is a good reason for the buzz surrounding the Penn-Trafford hockey team.

Pine-Richland players celebrate after winning the WPIAL Class 3A field hockey title Oct. 31, 2021, at Washington & Jefferson.

Pine-Richland completes WPIAL Class 3A field hockey 3-peat

October 30, 2021

The Pine-Richland Rams proved once again to be the dominant force in WPIAL Class 3A field hockey, as they defeated North Allegheny, 3-1, to capture a third straight title Saturday night at Washington & Jefferson.

Shady Side Academy field hockey players celebrate after defeating Aquinas Academy in the WPIAL Class A final Oct. 30, 2021, at Washington & Jefferson.

Shady Side Academy captures 4th straight WPIAL field hockey title

Betsy Gorse returned to Shady Side Academy for her second stint as head coach four seasons ago, and the move turned out in the best way for both her and the school, as the Bulldogs won their fourth consecutive WPIAL Class A championship Saturday by defeating Aquinas Academy, 1-0, at Washington & Jefferson’s Cameron Stadium.

The Penn-Trafford field hockey team celebrates its WPIAL Class 2A championship win over Fox Chapel on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.

Penn-Trafford gets past Fox Chapel to win 6th straight WPIAL field hockey crown

Since WPIAL field hockey moved to three classifications in 2016, Penn-Trafford has had a stranglehold on the 2A championship. That story didn’t change tonight at W&J’s Cameron Stadium on Saturday, as the Warriors defeated Fox Chapel 1-0 to capture their sixth consecutive title.

Franklin Regional’s Chase Williams works against West Allegheny’s Tyler Morgan during a game last season.

Franklin Regional hockey eyes title that got away

Franklin Regional came up a little short in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League Class 2A finals in 2021. The Panthers fell 2-0 to Baldwin.

Fox Chapel goaltender Noah Wedner stops a Hampton shot during an Oct. 25 game at Valencia’s Frozen Pond Arena. The Foxes recorded a 5-3 victory to go 5-0 on the season.

Fox Chapel hockey leaving last season’s struggles in the dust

It didn’t take long for the resurgent Fox Chapel hockey team to exceed its wins total from last season.

A-K Valley boys athlete of the week: Nash Wedner, Fox Chapel

October 28, 2021

Nash Wedner

Penn-Trafford’s Ava Hershberger is a member of the 2021 field hockey team.

Westmoreland County girls athlete of the week: Penn-Trafford’s Ava Hershberger

October 27, 2021

Ava Hershberger

Shaler Area hockey coach Cory Sakolsky during workouts July 27, 2020 at Shaler Titans
Football Field.

Shaler hockey coach preaches calculated risk taking

October 24, 2021

Cory Sakolsky isn’t concerned that the Shaler Area hockey team won’t listen to his instructions. The second-year Titans coach is worried they may listen a little too well.

Plum’s Zach Miller (62) celebrates his goal with Travis Marks during their game against Wheeling Catholic on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at Pittsburgh Ice Arena.

Young lineup off to strong start for Plum hockey

October 23, 2021

The Plum varsity hockey team won just one game last year in a 2020-21 season that was unlike any other in the history of the PIHL with delays, restrictions and numerous changes overall because of the covid pandemic.

Norwin’s Hunter Hardy plays against Greensburg Salem on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 at Kirk S. Nevin Arena

Norwin hockey program moving in right direction

Norwin second-year hockey coach Mike Robinson lists his team’s strengths in this order:

North Hills’ Noah Benscoter returns for his sophomore season.

North Hills hockey hopes last year’s strong finish carries over

North Hills hockey was able to close out last year’s regular season as strong as any team in the PIHL’s Class A. But now the program wants more following a crushing ending.