WPIAL Boys Soccer Class 3A Quarterfinal Round: Match Capsules

at Hampton

# 7 Thomas Jefferson (16-2-1) at #2 Hampton (15-2-1)

How they got here:

TJ defeated North Catholic, 1-0 with an extra time winner coming from Ray Schrello;

Hampton also needed Extra Time to defeat Trinity, 1-0, as Coleman Docherty scored the game-winner

Players to Watch: 

T.J. — Brayden Miller (24 goals and four assists) was co-section player of the year.

Hampton — Luke Fiscus – through the regular season finale scored 32 goals, and had the assist on the playoff game-winner.

at Plum

#8 South Fayette (11-4-3) at #1 Plum (18-1-0) 

How they got here:

Plum beat Chartiers Valley, 5-1, as Brady French had two goals; South Fayette defeated Plum’s section rival, Latrobe, 4-0

Players to Watch:

Plum — Tristen Ralph led the Mustangs with 11 goals and 10 assists during the regular season, and when called upon, also dropped to the back line, as a center back.

South Fayette — Michael Plasko — was a force on Saturday as he scored all four goals in the Lions’ 4-0 win vs Latrobe. Also, goalkeeper Dylan Janoski, who plays for the Riverhounds Development Academy, had the clean sheet.

More on this match-up… 

South Fayette punished Latrobe on set pieces and in the air, and will hope to do the same against a Plum side that likes to possess the ball.  The two schools have met multiple times in the playoffs in recent years, with Plum winning last year’s encounter, 2-1, in Extra Time.

They Said It:

Plum Head Coach Raf Kolankowski on playing Chartiers Valley and now South Fayette:  “It looks like we have to go through that section (Class 3A Section 2) if we want to make it through to the final.”

“Well, here we meet again, playing South Fayette 3rd time in 4 years. Last year we played three teams from that section and if we make it to Semi again it look like it will be the same situation. South Fayette is a very good team and they create problems for us. Last year we beat them in a shootout and they have most of their guys back so it will be a monumental feat for us to compete with them. They are very well coached and Rob does a great job with them.”

at Montour

# 13 Indiana (6-10-1) at #5 Montour (14-4-0) 

How they got here:

Indiana pulled off what is probably the upset of the WPIAL soccer playoffs to this point, defeating No. 4 Bethel Park, in a penalty kick shootout (0-0, 4-1 in PKs); Montour took care of Gateway, in impressive fashion, rolling to a 5-0 win.

Players to Watch:

Indiana – Under pressure, Goalkeeper Alex Bauer earned the clean sheet against Bethel Park — plus helped his team to victory in the PK shootout.

Montour — Jaxson Camp led the Spartans with 14 goals during the regular season, but it was Andrew Prunier who had the hat trick on Saturday to bring his total to 16 for the season and playoffs.

at Moon

Note: PSN’s Matthew Baldwin will be on site for coverage of this match. 

#11 Franklin Regional (11-7-0) vs #3 Moon (15-3-1)

How they got here:

Moon and Franklin Regional both rolled to 4-0 wins on Saturday.  The defending 3A Champs, Moon, topped Ringgold, while Franklin Regional stunned No. 6 Mars.

Players to Watch:

Moon – Mike Walenchok.  The senior midfielder scored 22 goals during the regular season to lead the Tigers.  Aedan Costa added 12 goals plus

Franklin Regional:  Joey Bayne scored twice for the Panthers on Saturday, while Danny Christafano led the team in goals during the regular season.

They said it: 

Moon HC Tyler Blake: “Had 47 man games lost to starters this season. We’ve got them all back and playing Ringgold (in first round of playoffs) was the 2nd time all season we’ve had everyone at our disposal so we’re pleased with health right now, at the right time!“