Hungry for big games, Allderdice boys soccer are back in PIAA tournament

The Allderdice boys soccer team is back in the PIAA tournament — which kicks off on Tuesday — as the Pittsburgh City League (PIAA’s District 8) champions appear to be a cohesive and determined team once again ready for the State playoff stage.

The Dragons are set to face General McLane in a First Round match in the Boys Class 3A bracket.

It’s a familiar match-up, as the same two schools faced off against each other in the first round of last year’s tournament.

“There are only quality opponents still playing in the PIAA tournament at this late stage in the fall” David Thyberg, Allderdice Head Coach told Pittsburgh Soccer Now this week

Not only are the Dragons familiar with General McLane from last year’s PIAA when they came away with a win in the school’s first PIAA tournament appearance since 2011, but the schools met again earlier this season at the Mars Tournament, in August, with the Erie school getting the victory.

“We’ve played a really strong strength of schedule ourselves and we’re ready. We know McLane from last year, plus back in August when we were still yet to hit our stride.”

In fact, Tyberg has guided Allderdice down a very similar path as they did a year ago, playing a schedule that mirrored 2024, with one key exception.

Last year, they began the season and competed well into the schedule as part of WPIAL (District 7). but were informed they could no longer compete in the WPIAL and would be ineligible for the WPIAL playoffs due to a PIAA bylaw initially passed in February 2023. The original ruling, resulting from a dispute between Butler and the PIAA regarding football, stated that teams within the PIAA could only participate in the postseason of their designated districts. Allderdice and Obama Academy, which are members of District 8, were abruptly, and completely unexpectedly, on their own.

Despite getting the rug pulled out from them, and after making their best effort to protest the ruling, Allderdice and Obama Academy teams carried on with the season, completing against each other in a City League Championship match.  Allderdice won that match, then defeated DuBois in a PIAA Subregional contest which got them into the PIAA Boys Soccer Class 3A tournament. With a talented squad, the Dragons proved themselves on the state playoff stage, making it to the Quarterfinal round, where they lost to WPIAL champion, Moon, in a match that was decided by a golden goal in extra time.

Moon rises over Dice, 2-1 in OT

This season, despite knowing that the matches wouldn’t count in standings, they still competed against WPIAL Class 3A, Section 3 schools — playing them as they would have if they were part of the section — with home and away matches against the likes of WPIAL runner-up Franklin Regional, Latrobe, Penn-Trafford and others.

The Dragons posted another solid campaign, with a 14-5-0 overall record, highlighted by a number of wins against schools that went on to compete in the WPIAL playoffs, including a 2-1 win against Franklin Regional in the second match between the two schools.

In this year’s City League Championship game showdown with Obama Academy, Allderdice were pushed to the brink, nearly seeing its season end, but they showed plenty of resolve, coming back for a 2-1 win in extra time.

The Dragons found themselves trailing early on to an Obama squad that was up to the challenge, with Joey Preston scoring early in the first half.

Obama Academy kept the 1-0 lead until late Michael Bishop goal leveled the match.

The match would go to extra time, when Jonathan Ruff hit the game winner, after getting a pass Luca Fuerte for a Golden Goal which would put them through.

Then, the Dragons faced Dubois again in the PIAA Subregional last week, coming away with a 3-1 victory.

Now they feel like they’re hitting their stride in time as they travel to Erie to face General McLane.

“They’re very physical and have a few top tier players so it should be an exciting game,” Tyberg said.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to continue our journey together and show our best qualities, however the tournament ends up, it’s been a beautiful ride and we’re grateful for each day we get play and pursue greatness as a team.”

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The winner of the Allderdice-General McLane match will face the winner of WPIAL Champion West Allegheny vs York Suburban, on Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

PIAA Boys Soccer Tournament Brackets released

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).