PIAA Girls Soccer First Round: Norwin Escapes Seneca in Pks, USC, South Park, GCC and Charleroi advance

Class AAA
WPIAL Champs Norwin beats Seneca Valley With Comeback Win In OT 
The perfect season for the Norwin Knights continues, but they had to go the distance – to double overtime –  to knock off WPIAL foe Seneca Valley in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs on Tuesday.  Lexie Kolano scored from a cross to help the Knights advance to the PIAA quarterfinals.
Upper St. Clair 4, McDowell 0 — Landy Mertz scored twice, Maddy Rocks added a goal and assist, and Rachel Witte scored to carry WPIAL runner-up Upper St. Clair (17-2-1) to a PIAA Class AAA first-round win over the District 10 champion at Veterans Stadium in Erie. Nikki Gibbons earned the shutout.
Class AA
Mercyhurst Prep 1, Mars 0 — District 10 runner-up Mercyhurst Prep advanced to the quarterfinals with a PIAA Class AA first-round win over WPIAL champion Mars (17-3).
South Park 6, Clearfield 1 — Nicole Evans scored three goals and Katie Schultz had two goals and three assists to lead WPIAL runner-up South Park (19-3-1) to a PIAA Class AA first-round win over the District 9 champion at DuBois. Molly Sailor made eight saves for the Eagles, who will play Villa Maria in the quarterfinals.
Villa Maria 2, Central Valley 1 — District 10 champion Villa Maria (20-0-2) scored twice early in the second half to secure a PIAA Class AA first-round victory at Veterans Stadium in Erie.
Carolina Lucci scored with 17 minutes left for the Warriors (17-2-1), the WPIAL third-place finisher.
Class A
Charleroi 2, Conemaugh Township 0 — Kyra Watkins and Kaitlyn Riley scored to lead WPIAL runner-up Charleroi (18-2-2) to a PIAA Class A first-round win at Somerset.
Greensburg C.C. 4, Wilmington 0 — Bailey Cartwright had two goals and assisted on another to lead WPIAL champion Greensburg Central Catholic (22-1) past District 10 champion Wilmington in a PIAA Class A first-round playoff game at Hampton. Sydney Ward and Abby Skatell also had goals for the Centurions, who will play Karns City in the quarterfinals.
Karns City 3, Shady Side Academy 2 — Megan McCartney scored a pair of goals as the District 9 champion Gremlins (17-0) posted their first PIAA playoffs victory since 2005 with a win over WPIAL third-place finisher Shady Side Academy (17-5) in a Class A first-round game. Haley Scherer also scored for Karns City, which took a 3-0 lead before needing to hold off a late rally. The Gremlins will play Greensburg Central Catholic in the PIAA quarterfinals Saturday.

John Krysinsky

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).