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PIAA Soccer Quarterfinals Preview:  13 WPIAL Teams Looking To Advance on Saturday

Can Greensburg Central Catholic girls keep it rolling?

Can Greensburg Central Catholic girls keep it rolling?


The WPIAL is still going strong in the PIAA soccer playoffs, with 13 area teams playing in the State Quarterfinals on Saturday.
Among the storylines, there’s still a chance to have an all-Western PA semifinal in five of the six remaining boys and girls classifications.
In addition, a few WPIAL teams will battle each other in the boys quarterfinals.  In Boys Class AAA, Canon McMillan will have a rematch of their WPIAL semifinal win over Seneca Valley, and in Class AA South Park takes on Mars.  Both games will be played at North Allegheny.
Three Western PA teams (Upper St. Clair and Norwin girls and Fox Chapel boys) will have to travel through the Appalachian Mountains to Chambersburg to take on teams from the Eastern side of the state. For the Foxes (19-2-1), it’s their second trip to Chambersburg this week, as they beat Central York on penalties on Tuesday. Norwin (23-0) survived a second test in a week from Seneca Valley to remain unbeaten and untied.
I will be in Chambersburg — and should catch all of the Norwin and Fox Chapel games — and maybe even some of the Upper St. Clair finale.
You can follow the action through my twittler feed @johnkrysinsky as I’ll try to post updates as I can.
Below are all of the PIAA quarterfinals featuring WPIAL teams — along with various notes and tidbits about each game/WPIAL team:  
 
Boys (WPIAL Teams in Bold)
BOYS AAA
Fox Chapel (19-2-1) vs. Springfield Delco (16-5-2) at Chambersburg, 5 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Doug Gulasy previews the match.
http://triblive.com/sports/hssports/soccer/9416997-74/chapel-fox-central#axzz3rJb7Gbe8
Canon-McMillan (19-3) vs. Seneca Valley (16-2-1) at North Allegheny, 6 p.m
This is a rematch of the WPIAL semifinal, which was also played at North Allegheny.  The first game was won by Canon-Mac, 1-0, on November 2nd.  Seneca impressed with a 5-1 win in the first round of the PIAA playoffs against State College.
BOYS AA
Mars (19-3-1)  vs. South Park (19-2-1) at North Allegheny, 2 p.m.
Here’s a feature in the Tribune-Review this week on the South Park boys as they prepare for the WPIAL Runner-ups, Mars, who have had a few come-from-behind wins this season.
South Fayette (19-3) vs. Susquehannock at Altoona, 4 p.m.
South Fayette won the WPIAL title thanks to a strong performance by Jordan Smith.   In Thursday’s Trib, here is a nice look at South Fayette’s rise to the top of WPIAL’s Class AA Boys soccer.
BOYS A 
Seton-La Salle (18-5) vs. Bishop McCort at Somerset, 1 p.m.
Seton LaSalle rolled through their first round match.  We’ll see if Bishop McCort can provide a bigger challenge.
Sewickley Academy (19-3) vs. Mercyhurst Prep at Slippery Rock, 2 p.m.
Since losing 2-1 to Avonworth in the WPIAL Semifinals, Sewickley Academy boys have gone on a 10-goal rampage in the last two games, beating Greensburg Central Catholic in the PIAA play-in game, and Karns City in the first round of the PIAA playoffs on Tuesday.
Girls (WPIAL Teams in Bold)
CLASS AAA
Upper St. Clair (17-2-1) vs. CB South at Chambersburg, 1 p.m.
The Panthers rebounded from WPIAL finals loss with a 4-0 win in the first round of the PIAA’s against Erie McDowell.
Norwin (23-0) vs. Downington West at Chambersburg, 3 p.m.
Norwin needed a comeback in OT, over Seneca Valley, to save their perfect season – and keep a run to State Championship alive.   Now comes their next hurdle – Downington West – and a three-hour trip to Chambersburg.
Class AA
South Park (19-3-1) vs. Villa Maria at Slippery Rock, noon
South Park, is the lone WPIAL team remaining in Girls AA, after a first-round, 6-1 win on Tuesday over Clearfield.
CLASS A
Charleroi (18-2-2) vs. Loyalsock Township at Altoona, noon
Coach Jim Rue isn’t sure what to expect from a new opponent, from Williamsport, as the Trib-Review takes a look at Charleroi’s game against Loyalsock.
Greensburg C.C. (22-1) vs. Karns City at NA, 4 p.m.
The Centurians seem to have their eyes on another State title—as they keep rolling.  Their only loss this year was in their first game, against Red River (Ohio).

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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