What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Oct. 9, 2023: Girls soccer playoff spots up for grabs

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, October 8, 2023 | 7:54 PM

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The fight for WPIAL girls soccer playoff spots enters its final week. What’s more exciting than two teams fighting for a postseason berth? Well if a couple of district sections are any indication, three teams in the mix to play on the playoff pitch in late October could be better.

• In Section 2-4A, Peters Township and Upper St. Clair have clinched. Now three teams are fighting for a possible two postseason slots on the bracket sheet.

Canon-McMillan is 6-3-2 in the section, Mt. Lebanon is 6-4-1 and Bethel Park is 6-5. All have three section matches left.

On Monday, the Big Macs are home to Hempfield (0-11), the Blue Devils visit Peters Township (10-0-1) and the Black Hawks host Upper St. Clair (10-1).

• In Section 2-3A, Thomas Jefferson, Elizabeth Forward and Connellsville clinched.

The battle for fourth place has Laurel Highlands with the edge at 6-5, and both Ringgold and Belle Vernon are 4-6-1 with three section matches remaining.

The Mustangs welcome Elizabeth Forward (9-1), and the Rams visits the Leopards, with the loser being in big trouble in the playoff chase.

• In Section 2-2A, Avonworth and North Catholic are playoff bound with three teams fighting for likely two postseason spots.

Quaker Valley and Beaver are tied with 4-3-1 records. Central Valley is 4-5, all with three section matches on their schedule.

The Quakers visit the Warriors in a huge game for the home team, and the Bobcats host Ambridge (2-8).

More key girls soccer Monday matchups

Here are some of the other key girls soccer matches around the WPIAL on Monday with playoff ramifications.

• Pine-Richland (4-6), Shaler (3-8) and Allderdice (3-8) enter the final week chasing Butler (6-5) for fourth place in Section 1-4A.

Shaler will be in must-win mode when it visits Butler. The Golden Tornado rolled the Titans in the first meeting, 8-1.

• West Allegheny (5-5) sits in fourth place in Section 4-3A, one game up on Blackhawk (4-6) and Chartiers Valley (2-6).

The Indians own the tiebreaker over the Cougars and won the first meeting with the Colts, 1-0.

• Apollo-Ridge needs a win to stay alive in Section 2-2A as it tries to catch Deer Lakes. A win by the host Lancers Monday clinches a playoff berth and eliminates the visiting Vikings.

• In Section 4-2A, West Mifflin is in fourth place with a 3-5 section record, one game ahead of McGuffey at 2-6. The Titans can clinch a playoff berth with a win at Shady Side Academy, and the Highlanders need a win as they host Keystone Oaks.

• In Section 4-A, Aquinas Academy is in fourth place with a 3-5 section record and has clinched a postseason spot. In a battle of the Crusaders, Bishop Canevin must win at home to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Team tennis anyone?

With the WPIAL singles and doubles tennis championships in the books, this week the district begins the process of crowning two team tennis champions.

In Class 3A, Mt. Lebanon looks to repeat after beating traditional power North Allegheny in the finals last fall.

Here are the matches for the first round Monday in Class 3A. All eight playoff matches begin at 3 p.m.

No. 16 Norwin at No. 1 Bethel Park

No. 9 Upper St. Clair vs. No. 8 Penn-Trafford at Norwin

No. 12 Oakland Catholic at No. 5 Fox Chapel

No. 13 Latrobe at No. 4 Shady Side Academy

No. 14 Seneca Valley at No. 3 Mt. Lebanon

No. 11 Moon at No. 6 Franklin Regional

No. 10 Peters Township at No. 7 Pine-Richland

No. 15 Baldwin at No. 2 North Allegheny

The Class 2A opening round is Tuesday.

Tags: Allderdice, Apollo-Ridge, Aquinas Academy, Avonworth, Beaver, Belle Vernon, Bethel Park, Bishop Canevin, Blackhawk, Butler, Canon-McMillan, Central Valley, Chartiers Valley, Connellsville, Deer Lakes, Elizabeth Forward, Hempfield, Keystone Oaks, Laurel Highlands, McGuffey, Mt. lebanon, North Catholic, Peters Township, Pine-Richland, Ringgold, Shady Side Academy, Shaler, Thomas Jefferson, Upper St. Clair, West Allegheny, West Mifflin