Fox Chapel Herald notebook: Hockey team swimming in new Class 3A waters

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Fox Chapel hockey team is making the jump up to Class 3A as part of the PIHL’s promotion-relegation system of classifying teams. The Foxes, who lost in overtime of the Class 2A Penguins Cup final last season, took a tough loss to open the season.

Fox Chapel, which fell 12-0 to Thomas Jefferson, showed it has the ability to bounce right back in its next matchup, a 4-3 shootout win over Upper St. Clair.

The Panthers, who reached the Class 3A semifinals last season, forced overtime with a goal by Jordan Lucca. Fox Chapel finished with a 2-1 edge in the shootout thanks to successful attempts by Keita Komatsu and Parker Hanley, who converted the game-winner.

Ian Berdik, Linden Trac and Gavin Forbes all scored in regulation for the Foxes (1-1).

Headed to states

Shady Side Academy’s Brooke Henderson and Alexandra Merkel played to their second seed at the WPIAL Class 3A doubles championships. Henderson and Merkel, who were also runner-up last season, fought their way back to the finals to play top-seeded Jackie Tang and Michelle Yang, who they also faced in the finals last season.

Tang and Yang won the rematch 7-6 (2), 6-2.

Fox Chapel’s doubles team of Zoey Liu and Clara Drahnak reached the second round with a 10-6 win over a pair from North Hills before losing to the top seed.

The Bulldogs’ No. 2 doubles team, Casie Lapina and Taylor Shanefelter, was seeded third and reached the second round before bowing to a team from Upper St. Clair.

Field hockey success

Shady Side Academy hasn’t had many issues competing against Class A opponents this season. The Bulldogs are 8-2 overall and 7-0 in section play. They average 5.0 goals per game in section play, while only conceding 0.6.

Fox Chapel is in a battle for first in what is a hotly contested Class 2A race. The Foxes are 9-2-3 overall and 7-1-2 in section. Fox Chapel had a three-point lead over Peters Township.

Still rolling

The Fox Chapel boys soccer team opened the year with a one-goal loss to Canon-McMillan. Not much has slowed down the Foxes since. They have won 12 consecutive matches, including a 4-0 win over Butler last week.

Fox Chapel has had a few close calls this season — including three overtime wins — but it was in position to claim another high seed in the Class 4A playoffs.

Tags: Fox Chapel, Shady Side Academy