Springdale girls outlast Sewickley on PKs in playoff rematch, advance to PIAA semifinals
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Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 6:03 PM
Springdale’s Tessa Derringer works against Sewickley Academy’s Emilia Carrabba during their PIAA Class A state quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at North Allegheny.
Springdale goalkeeper Genevieve Conklin makes a save against Sewickley Academy during their PIAA Class A state quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at North Allegheny.
Springdale’s Mia Pesce battles Sewickley Academy’s Sarah Merryman for possession during their PIAA Class A state quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at North Allegheny.
Springdale’s Lacey Shondeck battles against Sewickley Academy’s Emma Eannarino for possession during their PIAA Class A state quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at North Allegheny.
Springdale’s Ariana Caltagarone works against Sewickley Academy’s Emma Eannarino during their PIAA Class A state quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at North Allegheny.
Springdale’s Adele Walters-Vrabel works against Sewickley Academy’s Olivia Stefanik during their PIAA Class A state quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at North Allegheny.
Springdale’s Ainsley Wade works against Sewickley Academy’s Grazia Jardini during their PIAA Class A state quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at North Allegheny.
Eleven days had passed between Springdale and Sewickley Academy’s WPIAL Class A girls soccer semifinal Oct. 28 and their PIAA quarterfinal contest at North Allegheny.
The possibility of a rematch of the tight Panthers’ victory was there with some speculating on what would transpire in the rematch.
Postulation turned into reality under partly cloudy skies at Newman Stadium with a trip to the state semifinals on the line.
And it was Springdale that answered the most important question of all.
The evenly matched Panthers and Dynamos needed a penalty kick shootout to decide the winner.
Freshman Mia Pesce, Springdale’s ninth shooter, put her attempt into the back of the net to clinch the 7-6 shootout win.
“I was nervous, but I kept telling myself that I was going to make it in,” Pesce said. “I was reassuring myself, and my teammates were giving me confidence.”
When Pesce scored, she turned around and welcomed a running and cheering group of Dynamos for the on-field celebration.
“I was in shock with what had just happened,” she said. “Once I saw everyone yelling and coming at me, I just started crying.”
Springdale sophomore keeper Genevieve Conklin stopped Sewickley Academy’s final two shooters, senior Makenzie Dice and junior Mya Spadafore.
“I was praying and telling myself that I can make those saves, and we can win this,” Conklin said. “I couldn’t be nervous. It was an amazing feeling to play them again and win it after losing to them (in the WPIAL playoffs). I am just so happy.”
Seniors Lacey Shondeck and Haley Marchlewski, sophomore Tessa Derringer, freshman Adele Walters-Vrabel, and sophomores Makenna Haas and Ainsley Wade also scored in the shootout for Springdale, which improved to 15-2-1 and will take on Bishop Guilfoyle in the semifinals Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.
The Dynamos came into Saturday’s matchup coming off of a 2-1 overtime victory over District 5 champion Windber in Tuesday’s first round.
The Panthers, who capped their season at 19-4, saw juniors Olivia Stefanik, Emilia Carrabba and Emma Eannarino; freshman Claire Karsman; junior Nalani Brayley; and senior Marin Edmunds score in the shootout.
“PKs, they are a great way to win it and a terrible way to lose,” Sewickley Academy coach Gary Weber said.
“We played really well. We had our chances today. We just didn’t put them away when we could have. When it goes to PKs, it can go anywhere. Unfortunately, it went their way today and not ours. Congratulations to Springdale. I hope they do well when they move on.”
Saturday’s game was the fifth postseason meeting between Sewickley Academy and Springdale in the past four seasons. The Dynamos now hold a 4-1 edge in the playoff series.
Sewickley Academy held a 10-8 shot advantage after 80 minutes of regulation, which saw both teams deliver strong defense, even possession and a few good scoring chances.
The Panthers had three shots in the first overtime to none for Springdale.
Marin Edmunds got a good look with a header in the box off a corner kick three minutes into the initial extra session.
Dice had a clean shot from eight yards with 2:50 left, but Conklin got a good read on it and dove to her right to make the save.
Springdale held a 2-1 shot edge in the second OT.
Walters-Vrabel recorded a strong shot at the 6:55 mark that was saved by Sewickley Academy sophomore keeper Gabrielle Edmunds.
Eannarino missed the net on a shot in the box for the Panthers with five minutes on the clock.
“This is such a great feeling to be moving on, and this game and the outcome speaks to the resilience of this team,” Springdale coach Marc Bentley said.
“That PK shootout was a wild ride. We were able to find a way to win this one and also win in overtime the other night. In November, it’s about finding a way to win and staying alive.”
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: Sewickley Academy, Springdale
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