Springdale ekes out section win over formidable Riverview

By: Michael Love
Monday, October 6, 2025 | 10:10 PM

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When the Riverview and Springdale girls soccer teams met for the first time this season under the lights Sept. 11 at Riverside Park in Oakmont, the Dynamos had the better of play and came away with a four-goal victory.

The Raiders sought a measure of revenge in the rematch Monday at Springdale.

A spirited crowd, bolstered by the energy from the two student sections, watched two of the top teams in WPIAL Class A battle back and forth in comfortable evening conditions.

As the game seemed like it might head to extra time, Springdale got the winner.

Dynamos senior Lacey Shondeck was fouled in the box with 8 minutes, 26 seconds left in regulation.

Sophomore Tessa Derringer took the penalty kick and fired it past Riverview sophomore keeper Maddy Martino for the game’s only goal in a 1-0 Springdale victory.

“Lacey got in a few times like that down that right-hand side, and it was something where we were looking to get in behind their defense,” Springdale coach Marc Bentley said. “She did a nice job cutting to the box and getting fouled. Tessa then was ice cold from the spot. It was a really good penalty (shot). It was going to be really hard for any keeper to make that save.”

The goal, Derringer’s 11th of the season, lifted Springdale to the cusp of the Section 4-A title at 7-0-1 (22 points).

“When I set up for the shot, I was thinking about just being the most confident I could be,” Derringer said. “This was a really tight game, and I thought it might be my last chance to get (a goal). I tried not to think about it too much and just wanted to hit it as hard and as good as possible.”

Springdale has two section games remaining starting with a home game against Ellis on Thursday.

“We still have to take care of business in the next two games,” Bentley said. “We had a few chances early on tonight that could’ve made it a little more comfortable, but give Riverview credit. They came in and played a really good game. They are always dangerous in the counterattack. It is always the same type of close, intense game when these two teams play.”

Riverview fell to 6-3 (18 points) in section play. The Raiders lost their second straight section game after last Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Winchester Thurston.

“I think that was our most complete game,” Raiders coach Jessica Garland said of Monday’s contest. “We were connecting passes and were working as a team. I couldn’t have been more proud of their effort.”

Riverview steps away from section play Wednesday afternoon against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at Riverside Park. The Raiders return to the section next Monday at Apollo-Ridge.

“I love that the girls have emotion about this and these type of games,” Garland said. “What I am seeing out of them on the field and with that heart and energy, I am excited to see what this group can do moving forward.”

An intensity befitting the rivalry was established early in the first half as both teams sought scoring chances but were turned away at each turn by the respective defenses.

The defensive battle spilled to the second half, where both teams continued to search for that first goal.

Riverview junior Hannah Hudack delivered the first strong attempt of the half as her shot from the right wing at 30 yards in the seventh minute sailed about two feet high of the Springdale goal.

The Dynamos regained possession, headed the other way and received a free kick on a Raiders foul.

Derringer’s long-range shot from about 40 yards rocketed high off the Riverview goal.

A few seconds later, Dynamos freshman Adele Walters-Vrabel got off a shot from about 25 yards that sailed a few feet wide of the left post. Sophomore Kaitlyn Shock added her own solid attempt in the 15th minute with Walters-Vrabel getting two on goal a short time later.

Hudack rang another one off the football crossbar, two feet above the Springdale goal, with 19 minutes left in regulation.

The teams continued to increase the pressure. Springdale took a corner kick with 16:30 left that was deflected away from the scrum in front of the Riverview goal.

Riverview had one last good chance with 1:49 left after Shondeck picked up a yellow card. A Raiders free kick from 35 yards was saved by Springdale sophomore keeper Genevieve Conklin.

Riverview, with just two subs to start the game, lost freshman Amelia Baldwin to injury midway through the first half. She returned to the game with 32 minutes left in the second half before leaving for good 16 minutes later.

“She gets knocked down a lot, but she always pops back up and wants to keep going,” Garland said. “She’s such a tough player for us.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Riverview, Springdale