North Allegheny girls defy expectations with WPIAL championship, deep state playoff run

By: John Grupp
Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The North Allegheny girls soccer team saved its best for last.

After entering the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs as a third-place section finisher and a fifth-seeded underdog, the Tigers used a remarkable run to put together arguably the most memorable postseason in program history.

“We were kind of overlooked because we had some losses during the season,” coach Chuck Kelley said. “But throughout that entire period of time, we tried to play the best soccer that we can.”

The season ended with a 1-0 loss to Central Bucks East (21-4) on Nov. 11 at Chambersburg in the PIAA Class 4A semifinals, but it didn’t take away from an unlikely trophy-winning postseason.

“It’s been really special,” junior midfielder Rosalia Varlotta said. “We had a good run in states and were able to beat some good teams.”

The Tigers (19-4-2) posted thrilling victories during their dramatic playoff run. They edged No. 4 Pine-Richland, 2-1, in a penalty kick shootout in the WPIAL quarterfinals and beat top-seeded Peters Township, 1-0, in a semifinal rematch to reach the WPIAL championship game.

“No one wanted to lose to Peters again and have the same thing happen two years in a row,” Varlotta said. “Everyone was determined to do what we can to win.”

And the Tigers kept winning.

A 2-1 double overtime victory against No. 2 Seneca Valley on Oct. 31 at Highmark Stadium gave NA its fourth WPIAL crown in seven years. No other soccer program — boys or girls — has won as many WPIAL titles during that span.

There was no letdown in the PIAA playoffs. After a 5-0 first-round win over District 3 runner-up Penn Manor, NA nipped defending state champion Downingtown West, 2-1, in overtime to advance to the PIAA semifinals.

Not bad for an NA team that went 1-2-1 against section rivals Seneca Valley and Pine-Richland during the regular season before rallying in the playoffs.

“That’s been the attitude the entire year,” Kelley said. “The standard is that we want to play the best soccer we can. Sometimes that will win you games. Sometimes it may not be enough. But the players believe in what they are doing.”

There were many stars during the playoff surge.

• Junior goalie Jordan Beemer, who fought through a knee injury suffered in the first half of the PIAA semifinals, allowed only four goals in seven postseason games.

• Junior midfielder Sahara Catlos scored the PK game-winner against Pine-Richland, and senior Averie Bierker, a Miami (Ohio) recruit, netted the lone goal against Peters Township in the WPIAL semifinals.

• Varlotta had the golden goal against Seneca Valley in the WPIAL finals and scored the OT winner on a penalty kick against Downingtown West after senior Avery Ruffus drew a foul in the box.

• All-WPIAL junior Kieran Shannon, who led the Tigers with 19 goals, scored game-tying goals in the WPIAL finals and the PIAA quarterfinals.

“There have been a lot of players who have stepped up throughout the year,” Kelley said. “They all believe in what we are doing, and their goals are what the team’s goals are.”

Opposing coaches took notice. Senior midfielder Emma Schupansky, a UMBC commit, and senior defender Ava Hutter, a LaSalle recruit, joined Shannon on the all-WPIAL team.

That trio, along with Varlotta (13 goals), Ruffus and senior defender Mia Bosley were named all-Section 3-A in voting by coaches.

Others who played their final game at NA are midfielder Luciana Zagacki, defenders Maddie Williams and Lydia Randiga and reserve midfielder Mallory Lanasa.

“It has been an ongoing process that they have worked toward since they stepped through the door as freshmen,” Kelley said. “They saw in the players who have come before them and the roles that they play. They have found a way to make that their own as they’ve gone through those years.”

North Allegheny should be back in contention next season. Nine of the 17 Tigers who played in the WPIAL finals are underclassmen.

“I’m really proud of the team,” Varlotta said. “I’m hoping we can make it back-to-back.”

Tags: North Allegheny