What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Aug. 28, 2025: Stingy defenses square off in 3A boys soccer

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 11:54 PM

Purchase Photo Options

When section play began in WPIAL boys soccer Tuesday, the four winners in the eight-team Section 2-3A had zero tolerance for their opponents.

All four teams currently tied for first place with 1-0 section pitched shutouts to open section play with victories.

Two of those four will square off Thursday when Bethel Park (1-0, 1-1) hosts Thomas Jefferson (1-0, 2-0).

The Black Hawks blanked South Fayette while the Jaguars shut out Laurel Highlands, both by the final scores of 3-0.

The other two teams tied for first are Ringgold (1-0, 2-0) and Trinity (1-0, 1-1).

The Rams pitched a shutout against Albert Gallatin, 4-0, and the Hillers’ section opening win was a pounding of McKeesport, 11-0.

On Thursday, Ringgold visits Laurel Highlands and Trinity is on the road at Albert Gallatin.

Out-of-section showdown

While there are plenty of early section matches in Class 3A, 2A and A on Thursday, one of the premier matchups is a nonsection encounter when Plum visits Peters Township.

The teams are off to solid starts following strong 2024 campaigns.

Both schools lost to Fox Chapel in the playoffs a year ago; the Mustangs fell in the WPIAL 4A finals, 1-0, while the Indians fell to the Foxes by the same score in the semifinals.

This is the 20th anniversary of Plum’s only boys soccer WPIAL championship in 2005 while the first of nine Indians crowns came nearly 40 years ago in 1986.

So far this season, each team has yet to lose.

The Mustangs have outscored their three opponents 8-0 while the Indians are 2-0 and have a 5-2 edge in goals in those two contests.

Another battle in boys golf

As the weather continues to be spectacular, high school teams around the WPIAL are hitting the midway point of section play in team golf.

First place in up for grabs Thursday in Section 7-3A boys golf when Fox Chapel visits Hampton.

The visiting Foxes are a perfect 4-0 in section matches while the Talbots have yet to lose as well, sitting at 3-0 in the section.

Tee time at the Wildwood Country Club in Allison Park is 3 p.m.