What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Oct. 15, 2024: Final playoff spots, sections titles to be decided Tuesday

By: Don Rebel
Monday, October 14, 2024 | 11:50 PM

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A new rule passed by the PIAA may come back to haunt the Beaver boys soccer team.

On Sept. 28, the Bobcats defeated Keystone Oaks, 2-1. However, that win was later overturned by a PIAA regulation passed in June that punishes a team if an ejected coach does not promptly leave the area.

Reportedly, Beaver coach Scott Hazuda drew a yellow card late in the match. Because an assistant coach had earlier drawn a yellow as well, Hazuda’s card resulted in his ejection.

Hazuda left the stadium but stayed standing near a fence.

According to PIAA regulations: “Any Coach and/or adult Personnel removed, ejected or disqualified from a Contest who refuses to leave the competition area (out of sight and sound) as directed by the Contest Official will result in a forfeiture of the Contest.”

The win became a loss.

If the victory stood, Beaver (7-7-1) would only need a win at Riverside on Tuesday to clinch a playoff berth.

Instead, the winner of the Hopewell (8-7) at Keystone Oaks (7-7-1) match Tuesday will clinch a postseason spot.

The Bobcats still need a win, but now they also need the Hopewell-Keystone Oaks match to end in a draw in order to qualify.

The other playoff berth up for grabs in boys soccer Tuesday is in Section 3-3A.

West Mifflin can clinch a playoff berth if Belle Vernon loses at home to Penn-Trafford.

A Leopards win or tie and the Titans are home for the postseason.

Let’s share

Most of the WPIAL boys soccer section titles have been determined heading into the final night of the regular season; however, two teams can move into a tie for their section championship with a victory Tuesday.

In Section 3-4A, North Allegheny has already earned at least a share of the section crown with an 8-2 section record. Fox Chapel can finish 8-2 with a win at North Hills (4-5) on Tuesday.

NA and Fox Chapel split their matches in the regular season, with the Tigers winning in mid-September, 1-0, while the Foxes got a split thanks to a win in overtime last week, 3-2.

In Section 2-2A, Avonworth has completed its section schedule with a 14-1-1 record.

Quaker Valley is 13-1-1 and has one more section match Tuesday when it hosts Central Valley (12-3).

While they would technically be co-champs, Avonworth would earn the plaque and higher seed because of the head-to-head advantage.

The teams played to a scoreless tie Sept. 26 at Avonworth, but in the first clash at Quaker Valley, the Antelopes blanked the Quakers, 3-0.

Room for one more?

A total of 60 WPIAL girls soccer teams have qualified for the upcoming district playoffs.

The field is set in Class 4A, 3A and 2A.

In Class A, 16 teams have clinched and one more could be joining them.

On Tuesday, Greensburg Central Catholic (4-7) visits Apollo-Ridge (2-8).

If the Centurions win, GCC will tie the Ellis School for fourth place and will also earn a playoff berth.

Serving for first

The final week of the WPIAL girls volleyball regular season is underway and there are two matches Tuesday with section championship implications.

In Section 1-4A, Canon-McMillan looks to seal the deal on an outright section title when it visits Upper St. Clair.

The Big Macs are a perfect 9-0 heading into their final section match of the season, while the Panthers are knocking on the door, one game back in the loss column with a 7-1 section mark.

Canon-McMillan won the first meeting between the two at home on Sept. 19, 3-0.

In Section 1-3A, Chartiers Valley closes out its section schedule hoping to earn at least a share of the section title with a win at home against Montour.

The Colts are 9-2, one win more but also one loss more than the Spartans, who are 8-1.

Montour has two section matches remaining and can win the section title outright with three more wins.

The Spartans defeated the Colts on Sept. 19, 3-1.