Springdale girls soccer looks to topple Bishop Guilfoyle in PIAA semifinal

By: Michael Love
Sunday, November 9, 2025 | 8:55 PM

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Hailey Marchlewski made many offensive runs during the 110 minutes of regulation and overtime in Saturday’s PIAA Class A quarterfinal against Sewickley Academy at North Allegheny’s Newman Stadum.

The Springdale senior forward, with tired legs but a heart and mind full of confidence, then was the second one to go in the penalty kick shootout. She was successful in her attempt before settling in to watch her teammates compete through seven more rounds.

The emotions were high on both sides before anxious anticipation turned to elation for the Dynamos as freshman Mia Pesce found the back of the net for the game winner.

She turned and was mobbed by her teammates, who began to celebrate the victory that not only avenged a loss to the Panthers from the WPIAL semifinals but also put them into the state semifinals for the second year in a row.

“I was so nervous. My heart was pounding,” Marchlewski said of the shootout. “After I went, I was sitting next to my assistant coach Makenna (Krebs), and we were talking about how nerve-wracking it was. There were times when we were down, and all they had to do was make one shot and we were out. Then they would miss, and it was up to us to keep it going. I knew that no matter what the outcome, I was just so proud of my team. We gave it our all to the very last minute.”

The win was the first for Springdale in a shootout since last year’s PIAA first-round victory over Connemaugh Township at Fox Chapel.

The Dynamos (15-2-1) have passed two hurdles in the PIAA playoffs — Springdale downed District 5 champion Windber in overtime in the first round — and now will face District 6 champion Bishop Guilfoyle for the right to play in Saturday’s PIAA championship game.

“It was cool to see that no matter what would’ve happened (Saturday) that the girls had each other’s backs, and that speaks to what is going on with the closeness of this team,” Springdale coach Marc Bentley said.

Tuesday’s semifinal is at 6 p.m. at Westmont Hilltop’s Price Field and is a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal-round contest won by Springdale, 2-1.

“We’re all very excited to be where we are with a chance to get back to the finals,” Marchlewski said.

“Bishop Guilfoyle has been scoring a lot and beating teams by a lot, so we know what we’re up against. But we have a lot of heart and drive and determination. We beat them once, and we can do it again.

The Marauders (20-1) enter the semifinals off of a pair of PIAA shutouts. BG topped District 10 champion Seneca in the first round before scoring a 6-0 victory Saturday over a McConnellsburg team that beat WPIAL champion Bentworth, 2-0, in the first round.

The Springdale players had Sunday off before they get back at it Monday afternoon in preparation for Tuesday’s matchup.

“Obviously, a quick turnaround between two really big games, but we will definitely do what we can to be ready for Tuesday,” Bentley.

Marchlewski scored the game winner late in last year’s quarterfinal win over Bishop Guilfoyle. The Marauders tied the game with five minutes remaining on a goal by BG offensive standout Emma Marasco, but Marchlewski was right there to deliver the deciding goal a short time later.

“We had a series of tough games leading up to the final last year, especially the one against Bishop Guilfoyle, and we expected nothing less this time around,” Bentley said. “The girls remember how much we had to grind to get that win (against BG) last year. Having been there before definitely helps them. It also helps some of the freshmen and younger girls coming in knowing that they are on the field with players who have that experience of playing at that level.”

Bishop Guilfoyle has won 11 games in a row since a 3-2 loss to Class 2A quarterfinalist Bedford in late September. The Marauders, with junior three-year starter CeCe Rumfola in net, have pitched 14 shutouts this season.

Marasco reached the 40-goal mark for the season in the win over McConnellsburg. Three others — seniors Hailey Degol and Delaney Lechner and sophomore Meggie Ritchey — have scored at least 15 goals apiece.

“They are such a dangerous team with so many scoring weapons,” Bentley said. “We remember from last year how strong they were on the counterattack. We know that it is going to be a tough game. And it looks like it’s going to be a cold night. But the girls will be ready to play. They are on a mission to get back to the state championship game.”

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: Springdale