South Fayette captures 1st PIAA Class 3A girls soccer championship

By: David Bohr
Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 3:56 PM

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MANCHESTER — If members of the South Fayette girls soccer team have learned anything in these last eight days, it is that it only matters who is winning when the score becomes final.

Having already come from behind in both the quarterfinals and semifinals, the Lions knew that their first state title was still within reach when they trailed Saturday’s PIAA Class 3A championship contest with until 26 minutes to play.

Sure, they were playing Radnor, which had not given up a goal in over a month. But each Lion could feel the breakthrough coming on the Northeastern High School turf Saturday afternoon.

“The first half, after their goal, we had pressure on them. We were creating opportunities left and right,” South Fayette coach Nick Rosser said. “Once we get one goal, we can carry that pressure through to the end.”

The key goal that carried the Lions to a 3-1 victory and ended Radnor’s seven-game postseason shutout streak, came from junior defender Abbey Spalla on a penalty kick.

Spalla put the ball in the top left of the net to even the score 1-1 with 25:12 left in the second half.

“We were down there (in the offensive end of the field) for a half, and then a half of a half,” Spalla said. “Once we got that one, we knew we’d get some more.”

There was a bit of drama before Spalla even had the chance to line up for the penalty kick, though. Gabby Beinecke had been tackled in the box, near the left side of the end line, and was down on the turf for a minute. While she was down, the referee did not make any signal for where the ball would be placed when play resumed. Once Beinecke was up, the penalty shot was called.

The Lions (22-2-1), who had been denied on their first seven shots on goal and first three corners, quickly took the lead and picked up some insurance.

Less than five minutes after the equalizer, senior Emma Ferrari found freshman Silvi Rossi streaking down the right side, and after one touch she was behind the defense of the Raptors (20-5). Her crossing shot put the WPIAL runners-up ahead 2-1 with 20:43 to play.

Sophomore Harper Zapf converted South Fayette’s fifth and final corner into the third goal with 10:27 left in the game.

Radnor scored just 3:41 into the contest, when Arabella Steel crossed the ball from the left side, and Keira Mucksavage touched it into the net. That did nothing to settle Rosser’s nerves.

“I’ve been really, really nervous all day,” Rosser said. “But now it will be a happy bus ride home.”

South Fayette had a few good chances to tie the score in the first half, including a header by Rossi that Raptors goalie Maddie Lynn caught, and a nice shot on frame by Beinecke that hit the stomach of defender Ellie Rubin before it reached Lynn.

“They just keep fighting and don’t let it bother them,” Rosser said.

South Fayette goalie Caitlyn Thompson made three saves. During one of those stops, she was tackled roughly, resulting in one of two yellow cards that were issued to Radnor. Lynn made eight saves.

Tags: South Fayette