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WPIAL girls soccer sees minimal section realignment heading into 2021 season

Photo courtesy Ed Thompson

The high school soccer season will be officially kicking off with practice sessions beginning Monday, August 16.

With the new season comes some adjusted realigning of sections during the middle year between formal realignments, which typically take place every two years based on school enrollment numbers.  The WPIAL had no choice but to make some adjustments from the 2020-2021 realignment, which shifted numerous schools around to different sections and classifications during the Fall 2020 season.

The most notable changes for this season will come in Girls Class 1A, as a few private school closings (Quigley & Vincentian) has shifted some things, but overall, the landscape among WPIAL girls soccer classifications looks very similiar to what it looked like during the 2020 season.

WPIAL Girls Soccer Standings (2020)

Class 4A (19 teams) 

SECTION 1:  Butler, North Allegheny, North Hills, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, Shaler Area

SECTION 2:   Baldwin, Bethel Park, Canon McMillan, Moon, Mt. Lebanon, Peters Twp and Upper St. Clair

SECTION 3:   Allderdice, Fox Chapel, Hempfield, Latrobe, Norwin, Penn-Trafford 

No changes from 2020. 

Class 3A (29 teams) 

SECTION 1 – Armstrong, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Hampton, Indiana, Kiski, Knoch

SECTION 2: Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Connellsville, Greensburg Salem, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, Trinity, Uniontown

SECTION 3: Brashear, Oakland Catholic, Obama Academy, Penn Hills, Plum, Thomas Jefferson, Woodland Hills

SECTION 4:  Blackhawk, Central Valley, Mars, Montour, South Fayette, West Allegheny 

No changes from 2020

Class 2A (24 teams – down one school from 2020) 

SECTION 1:  Ambridge, Avonworth, Beaver Area, Hopewell, North Catholic, Quaker Valley

SECTION 2: Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport, Highlands, Shady Side Academy, Valley 

SECTION 3: Brownsville, McGuffey, Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland, Waynesburg, Yough

SECTION 4: East Allegheny, Elizabeth Forward, Keystone Oaks, South Allegheny, South Park, West Mifflin 

Changes: Ellwood City (not fielding a team in 2021) 

Class 1A (27 teams, down two from 2020) 

SECTION 1:  Apollo Ridge, Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette, Ligonier Valley, Riverview, Serra Catholic, Springdale

SECTION 2: Bentworth, Beth-Center, Charleroi, Chartiers-Houston, Monessen, Seton-LaSalle, Steel Valley 

SECTION 3: Freedom, Mohawk, Neshonnock, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Riverside, South Side Beaver

SECTION 4: Acquinas Academy, Bishop Canevin, Carlynton, Eden Christian, Ellis School, Sewickley Academy, Winchester Thurston

Changes:  Quigley (school closing), Vincentian (school closing)

 

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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