Herald notebook: Fox Chapel hockey advances to PIHL Penguins Cup semifinals
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Sunday, March 9, 2025 | 11:01 AM
Fox Chapel’s Antonio Cardinali plays against Canon-McMillan in the PIHL Penguins Cup quarterfinals.
Fox Chapel players celebrate Tucker Cullen’s empty-net goal against Canon-McMillan in the PIHL Penguins Cup quarterfinals March 3, 2025, at Alpha Ice Complex.
Fox Chapel’s Grant Watson makes a save against Canon-McMillan in the PIHL Penguins Cup quarterfinals March 3, 2025, at Alpha Ice Complex.
The PIHL’s promotion and relegation system makes it challenging for programs to sustain their success as they climb the ladder. Fox Chapel reached the Class A Penguins Cup two seasons ago.
After being bounced in the first round last year after taking the step up to Class 2A, the Foxes showed they had what it takes for sustained success this season. Fox Chapel moved onto the semifinals this year by beating Canon-McMillan, 6-3, in the quarterfinals.
The Foxes were scheduled to play Penn-Trafford in the semifinals earlier this week. First-year Fox Chapel coach Ryan Loebig has been happy with his team’s performance.
“We have to keep on trusting each other,” Loebig said. “It’s an important thing. We’ve got the pieces here, I think. We just have to the attitude to go along with it.”
The Foxes flexed their muscles on defense from the second period on. Canon-McMillan appeared ready to threaten Fox Chapel by scoring 51 seconds into the second period to even the game at two. However, the top-seeded Foxes responded with three goals in the next four minutes to put the game out of reach.
Hayden Ferra and Dominic Casile each scored twice for Fox Chapel. The Foxes finished with a 40-24 edge in shots on goal.
Casile said the Foxes showed their determination from early in the game.
“We were all hard at work,” Casile said. “When you were able to get to the defense, put a body on them and have the second guy come in and support them, we were able to put together a good forecheck.”
Shady Side Academy girls stunned in WPIAL finals
The Bulldogs won’t need any extra motivation for the state playoffs. Shady Side Academy lost 56-51 to Greensburg Central Catholic in the WPIAL Class 3A finals.
The Bulldogs played without 6-foot-2 forward Cassie Sauer, who was injured.
Shady Side Academy had defeated GCC twice during the regular season. Karis Thomas led the Bulldogs with 24 points.
Tags: Fox Chapel, Shady Side Academy
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