WPIAL Girls Class 1A Soccer Semifinal Round: Springdale, Winchester Thurston move on to Final

WPIAL (PIAA District 7)  soccer playoffs resume Tuesday with semifinal round contests that decide who gets to play in the Finals at Highmark Stadium.

Here’s our thread for GIRLS CLASS 1A.

Moving on to the WPIAL Final will be Springdale and Winchester Thurston, who will face each other on a short turnaround — on Thursday night at 6 p.m.

The results of these matches will also further determine how spots for PIAA tournament are decided, as the winners will advance to PIAA tournament, as Seton LaSalle and Sewickley Academy now face each other in a Play-In match either on Thursday.

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WPIAL Girls Class 1A Semifinal Round Schedule

both matches to be played at Dormont Stadium

FINAL: Springdale 5, Sewickley Academy 1

FINAL:  Winchester Thurston 1, Seton LaSalle 0

Match Day Updates

@GirlsSeton loses a heartbreaker in the Semifinals against a tough WT team 1-0. See you Thursday against Sewickley for the 3rd place game to qualify for States! Congrats to WT! @pghsoccernow @TribLiveHSSN @SLS_Athletics

— blackngold22 (@blackngold22) October 30, 2024

WPIAL Girls Soccer Result:

Springdale 5-1 Sewickley Academy

Briana Ross ⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️
Hailey Marchlewski ⚽️
Carissa Walsh ⚽️🅰️

Molly Hurley 🅰️
Brooke Taliani 🅰️
Ainsley Wade 🅰️@TribLiveHSSN @pghsoccernow

— Springdale Girls Soccer (@SpringdaleHSGS) October 29, 2024

Match Day Notes and Recent Coverage

Advancing to the semifinals, No. 1 seed Springdale continued its strong form, defeating the defending champs, Freedom, in convincing fashion, 5-0.

The No. 3 seed, Bentworth, were not able to slow down No. 6 Winchester Thurston, who raced to an impressive 4-0 win in the upset.  Earlier in the morning, Sewickely edged Aquinas Academy, 1-0, while the action concluded when No. 2. Seton LaSalle cruised to a 4-0 win over last season’s runner up, Riverview.

While the top seed, Springdale, cruised to its first round win, the rest of the field jumped right into tight, intense contests on Tuesday as three matches went the distance, including two penalty kick shootouts and another golden goal in extra time.

The WPIAL soccer committee awarded the top four seeds in order of Section title winners including:  Springdale (13-1), Bentworth (15-1), Seton LaSalle (12-2-2) and Eden Christian (8-7-1).

Last year’s finalists Freedom and Riverview were eliminated in the Quarterfinals, as Springdale rolled to a 5-0 win, as freshman Tessa Derringer scored twice. Senior Molly Hurley also scored twice, and she now has 13 goals, while Bri Ross continues to be the Dynamo’s playmaker, with two assists (bringing her total to 24 for the season) and another goal (now up to 35 for the season.

Winchester Thurston have rolled through the playoffs thus far with a pair of convincing 4-0 wins against teams from the same section, first Chartiers-Houston, then Bentworth.  Margherita Memoli has been the Bears’ leading scorer, with 12 goals in the regular season.

Seton LaSalle are a hot team — having won 11 of its last 12 matches in the homestretch including their first round playoff, 2-0, over Ellis School, then another convincing win against last year’s runner-up, Riverview,, 4-0.  The Rebels are led by Angelina McGrath (20 goals in regular season) and Sydney Morgan (11)

Sewickley Academy, who finished second to the Rebels in the same section, extended its win streak to seven matches with a narrow 1-0 win over Aquinas Academy in the quarterfinal.  They also beat Riverside, 2-0, in the first round.  The Panthers have a strong core built around the talents of senior forward Katherine Varghese, senior goalkeeper Marie Bigi and sophomore midfielder Emma Eannarino.

Final Scoreboard: WPIAL Girls Soccer Class 1A Quarterfinal Round

WPIAL Girls Soccer Class 1A First Round: No. 1 Springdale cruises, three matches go to Extra Time

Kids on the Pitch Podcast: WPIAL Boys and Girls Soccer Playoff Brackets are out (Part II w/ Beaver Area’s Nick Crivelli, OLSH’s Paige Petroval & Pine-Richland’s Jordan Wiegand)

WPIAL Girls Soccer Class 1A Results

Quarterfinal Round

Saturday, October 26

FINAL:  Sewickley Academy 1, Aquinas Academy 0

FINAL: Winchester Thurston 4, Bentworth 0

FINAL: Springdale 5, Freedom 0

FINAL: Seton LaSalle 4, Riverview 0

First Round (Tuesday, October 22)

 Click on links below to each team to find roster where applicable

FINAL:  Springdale 7, Greensburg Central Catholic 1

FINAL: Seton LaSalle 2, The Ellis School 0

FINAL:  Riverview 1, Waynesburg Central 0

FINAL:   Sewickley Academy 2, Riverside 0

FINAL: Freedom 1, Carlynton 1 (Freedom wins in PK shootout, 4-3) 

FINAL:  Winchester Thurston 4, Chartiers-Houston 0

FINAL:  Bentworth 2, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 1 (Extra Time / 2)

FINAL:  Aquinas Academy 0, Eden Christian Academy 0 (Aquinas advances by winning PK shootout)

Last Five WPIAL Girls Class 1A Champions

• 2023 – Freedom
• 2022 – Freedom
• 2021 – Steel Valley
• 2020 – Greensburg Central Catholic
• 2019 – Shady Side Academy

WPIAL Girls Class 1A Leading Scorers

Bri Ross, Springdale — 31

Riley Mauro, Carlynton — 26

Riley Kerr, Greensburg C.C. — 22

Megan Keturakis, Bentworth — 21

Emma Eannarino, Sewickley Academy — 20

Angelina McGrath, Seton LaSalle — 20

Kolbi Rastoka, Waynesburg — 20

Brielle Dillon, Bentworth — 19

Leah Hartley, California — 18

Isabella Dumbroski, Serra Catholic — 17

Bella Moyer, Bentworth — 15

Violet McKinney, Eden Christian — 14

Alyssa Bearer, Freedom — 13

Ava Capozzoli, Chartiers-Houston — 13

Emily Rafferty, Waynesburg — 13

Amelia Brose, Chartiers-Houston — 12

Mackenzie Mars, O.L. Sacred Heart — 12

Margherita Memoli, Winchester Thurston — 12

Carissa Walsh, Springdale — 12

Gigi Choate, Carlynton — 11

Natalie Kirsch, Bishop Canevin — 11

Sydney Morgan, Seton LaSalle — 11

Ellie Whippo, Mohawk — 11

Tessa Derringer, Springdale — 10

Lauren Hartley, California — 10

Molly Hurley, Springdale — 10

Akiera King, Ellis School — 10

Brooklyn Perhacs, Steel Valley — 10

Mary Quinlan, Riverview — 10

Rylei Rastoka, Waynesburg — 10

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).