What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Sept. 28, 2023: Deer Lakes, Shady Side Academy renew rivalry

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, September 28, 2023 | 12:04 AM

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Last fall, the Deer Lakes and Shady Side Academy boys soccer teams split their two regular season matches and ended up as co-champions in Section 2-2A.

SSA was the No.3 seed in the WPIAL 2A playoffs and was upset by Beaver in the district quarterfinals while the No. 4 Lancers went the distance to capture their second district boys soccer title in the last three years.

With September winding down, Deer Lakes visits Shady Side Academy on Thursday.

The defending champion Lancers are 8-0 in the section, one game ahead of the Bulldogs at 7-1.

A Deer Lakes victory and the Lancers control their own destiny toward a section championship. A win for host Shady Side Academy leaves both teams tied for first and possibly heading toward another share of the section title.

The Lancers handed the Bulldogs their only loss of the season Sept. 5 with a home win, 2-1.

Also in Section 2-2A, Knoch travels to Jeannette in a battle for third place.

The Knights are 6-3 in section play while the Jayhawks are a game back at 5-4.

In Section 2-4A, the two teams tied for first place face the two teams tied for fourth place Thursday.

Upper St. Clair (8-1) hosts Mt. Lebanon (5-3-1) in a match you can watch on Trib HSSN.

Also, Norwin (8-1) hosts Canon-McMillan (5-3-1).

Thursday girls volleyball

It’s another busy Thursday of WPIAL girls volleyball section action.

In Section 3-4A, Penn-Trafford has a one-game lead over Hempfield for first place.

However, the battle for third and fourth place is hot and heavy with three teams tied for third.

Two of them meet Thursday when Fox Chapel (1-3) visits Shaler (1-3).

In Section 2-3A, only one game separates four schools in the battle for third place between Montour (3-3), Trinity (3-3), Chartiers Valley (2-4) and Moon (2-4).

Two of them will clash as Trinity visits Montour with the winner taking over sole possession of third place.

Week 5 kicks off

Six years ago, Allderdice defeated Brashear, 35-7, to win the school’s first City League championship in 50 years.

Now the Dragons battle the Bulls just looking for their first win of the season.

Allderdice is 0-2 in the City League and 0-5 overall and in danger of missing the District 8 playoffs.

They have been outscored in their five losses, 177-45.

Brashear is 1-0 in the district and 2-3 overall.

The Bulls were outscored in their first three games, all one-sided losses by a combined margin of 143-8.

However, they have won their last two games over Carrick and Perry, beating the Commodores last week in overtime, 26-24.