PIAA Girls Soccer 2022-23 and 2023-24 Classification Reports to impact WPIAL schools

Photo courtesy Matt Ralph (Brotherly Game)

The enrollment numbers were submitted in the Fall, and on January 4, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) recently released its classification realignment by sport — including for boys and girls soccer.

In the WPIAL (PIAA’s District 7), there will be some significant movement at the top, as numerous soccer programs will be dropping down from Class 4A on down through the other classes, but not at the rate of the boys side.

The WPIAL now has the task to officially set up sections for each Boys and Girls classification, but we took a stab at this below too.

Here’s a closer look at how things should look in the WPIAL for girls soccer classifications in 2022-23 and 2023-24.  (See our separate post for Boys Soccer Classification Reports).

PIAA GIRLS SOCCER CLASSIFICATION REPORT IMPACTS WPIAL SCHOOLS

Click here for the full PIAA 2022-23 and 2023-24 Classification Report for GIrls Soccer

In the WPIAL, much like the boys, the biggest changes are going to come with the defending PIAA and WPIAL champions, Moon Township, dropping along with Westmoreland County schools Connellsville, Greater Latrobe Penn-Trafford all dropping into Class 3A.   Unlike the boys, both Peters Township and Bethel Park girls will remain in Class 4A.

This will make for a very crowded — out of this world — field in Class 3A, with a two defending WPIAL and PIAA champions in the same classification, Mars and Moon.

Meanwhile, unlike the boys, there’s less movement among the schools dropping from 3A to 2A and from 2A to 1A.

Keep in mind, there could continue to be a few potential Co-op’s between schools and some other schools could opt not to field boys soccer teams, therefore the numbers below may be condensed a tad.

Here are the enrollment parameters for each classification plus total number of WPIAL schools heading into 2022-23

• Class 4A:
  • Enrollment parameters: 437 & up
  • 17 WPIAL/PPS schools

• Class 3A:
  • Enrollment parameters: 259-437
  • 30 WPIAL/PPS schools

• Class 2A:
  • Enrollment parameters: 157-265
  • 25 WPIAL schools:

• Class 1A:
  • Enrollment parameters: 1-156
  • 28 WPIAL schools

 

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PSN’s Projected Section Realignment for 2022-23 & 2023-24

Click to access Girls_Soccer_22_24.pdf

Class 4A (17 teams)

Voluntarily opted to stay up +

2021 Champion:  Moon (will be dropping to 3A!)

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

SECTION 2:   Baldwin, Bethel Park, Brashear ^, Canon McMillan, Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon, Norwin, Peters Twp, Upper St. Clair +

Editors Note: In 4A, as suggested in boys side, WPIAL should probably opt for an eight-team playoff format with the top four teams in each eight-team section qualifying for the playoffs.

Class 3A (30 teams)

Down from Class 4A > Up from Class 2A 

2021 Champion:  Mars

SECTION 1 – Armstrong, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Indiana, Kiski Area, Thomas Jefferson, Uniontown

SECTION 2: Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Connellsville, Elizabeth Forward ^, Greensburg Salem, Laurel Highlands,, Ringgold, Trinity, 

SECTION 3: Hampton, McKeesport, Oakland Catholic, Obama Academy, Penn Hills, Plum, Penn-Trafford >,Latrobe >

SECTION 4:  Blackhawk, Chartiers Valley, Mars, Montour, Moon >, South Fayette, West Allegheny 

 

Class 2A (27 teams) 

Down from Class 3A> | Up from Class 1A | Voluntarily Moved Up + 

2021 Champion: Avonworth

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

SECTION 2:  Apollo-Ridge ^, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport, Highlands, Knoch >, Shady Side Academy +, Valley 

SECTION 3: Brownsville, Ligonier Valley ^, McGuffey, Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland, Yough

SECTION 4: Avonworth, East Allegheny, Keystone Oaks, South Park, West Mifflin, Woodland Hills >

Notes:

*Ellwood City did not field a team in 2021.

 

Class 1A (27 teams) 

Down from Class 2A>

Defending Champion: Steel Valley

SECTION 1:  Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette, Riverview, Serra Catholic, Springdale, South Allegheny >

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

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

Note: Since last Classification report, two school which fielded teams: Quigley and Vincentian, each closed.

** Shady Side Academy: PSN has not received word if they will voluntarily remain in Class 2A or move back down to Class 1A