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PIAA Finals Preview: Winchester Thurston boys, Shady Side & Mars girls play for State titles

PIAA Soccer Finals

Saturday, November 16, 2019 | HersheyPark Stadium – Hershey, PA

Broadcast: PCN-TV | Live Stream

The high school soccer season will come to a conclusion on Saturday, as three teams from Western Pennsylvania will be playing for PIAA titles: Winchester Thurston (Boys 1A), Shady Side Academy (Girls 1A) and Mars (Girls 3A).

1A GIRLS – 11 a.m. 

Camp Hill (24-0) vs. Shady Side Academy (20-1)

This is a return match — as these two schools met on this stage in 2017, with Shady Side Academy winning its first-ever PIAA title, 4-0.

Head Coach Mary Lynch had a freshman standout in that game — who’s now one of her team leaders — junior midfielder Melissa Riggins, who scored once and had one assist against Camp Hill.

This will be the Indians third appearance in the state championship since 2016, and they came close to making it last year too, when they lost to Freedom in a 3-2 double-overtime thriller in the state semifinals last season.

The Indians will have to be on top of its game defensively, as unbeaten Camp Hill’s attack has plenty of double-digit goal scoreres. They’ll want to closely mark Camp Hill junior Julia Raich, who’s scored 41 goals and 17 assists heading into Saturday’s contest.

Coaches: Jared Latchford, Camp Hill; Mary Lynch, Shady Side Academy

Players to watch: Ava Brackett, Camp Hill; Melissa Riggins, Shady Side Academy

 

1A BOYS – 1:30 p.m. 

Moravian Academy (23-1) vs Winchester Thurston (19-2)

It wasn’t an easy road — but Winchester Thurston have made it to its first state championship appearance in program histor.   On its road to Hershey — they kept coming up against a familiar opponent: section rivals Greensburg Central Catholic. The two schools met four times this season. While they split the season series, and GCC came out on top in the WPIAL final, 1-0, Winchester Thurston, thanks to Beck Buchanan’s two goals on Wednesday, won the final match, 2-1.

In the PIAA playoffs, Winchester Thurston defeated District 6 champion Bishop Carroll, 7-0; District 3 third-place finisher Lancaster Country Day, 4-0; and its return match against GCC.

District 11 champion Moravian Academy defeated District 4 champion Millville, 2-1; District 3 runner-up York Catholic, 4-0; and District 1 champion Dock Mennonite 4-0.

Moravian Academy is making its second. They won the state title over Sewickley Academy in 2014, 4-0. … Beck Buchanan scored two goals in Winchester Thurston’s semifinal victory over Greensburg Central Catholic. … Moravian Academy has three double-digit goal scorers heading into Saturday’s contest. Senior Austin Recinos has 19 goals and nine assists. Four players scored in Moravian Academy’s shutout victory in the semifinals. … The Lions have only allowed 21 goals all season. Winchester Thurston has only allowed 10 and has been scored on just twice in the postseason.

Coaches: Bob Hartman, Moravian Academy; Adam Brownold, Winchester Thurston

Players to watch: Austin Recinos, Moravian Academy; Beck Buchanan, Winchester Thurston

3A GIRLS – 4 p.m. 

Villa Joseph Marie (21-2-1) vs. Mars (21-0-1)

WPIAL champion Mars has been a team on a mission this season — after an undefeated campaign through the regular season, they had the most decisive win in the eight WPIAL finals at Highmark Stadium, beating Plum, 4-0, capping off a 20-0 run in four games against all opponents in the WPIAL playoffs.

The Planets are led by Pitt commit Ellie Coffield, who is one of the three finalists for the Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player of the Year Award. Make no mistake though, head coach Blair Gerlach has molded a complete team — with offensive firepower and one that’s been very difficult to score upon — that hasn’t been stopped by any Class 3A opponent all season.

Mars hasn’t really bee challenged all season, except against Class 4A Seneca Valley, who they tied 3-3.

In the PIAA playoffs they defeated District 10 champion Warren, 6-1; WPIAL third-place finisher West Allegheny, 4-0; and District 12 runner-up Archbishop Wood, 5-1.

District 1 champion Villa Joseph Marie defeated District 3 third-place finisher Conrad Weiser, 3-0; District 2 runner-up Berwick, 3-0; and District 12 champion Archbishop Ryan, 1-0. Villa Joseph Marie has made it to the PIAA state championship for the past five years and has won twice. They lost to Moon in 2016 and ‘17.  The Jems haven’t allowed a goal since the beginning of the state tournament.

The last time Mars made a state championship appearance (2011), it defeated Villa Joseph Marie, 1-0. The only blemish on Mars’ record is a 3-3 tie with Seneca Valley on Sept. 14. The Fightin’ Planets have only allowed three goals since the beginning of October.

Coaches: Rich Finneyfrock, Villa Joseph Marie; Blair Gerlach, Mars

 

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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