High School Soccer Notebook: Preseason Kickoff, Structural Overhauls & 2026 Moe Rosensteel Girls Players to Watch list is revealed

It is officially that time of year again!

High school soccer has returned to Western Pennsylvania, with official preseason practices kicking off across the region.

Our team is thrilled to jump back into action and provide comprehensive coverage for another high school soccer season.

Opening matches take place on Friday, August 28, launching a regular season that runs through October 21. From there, all roads lead to the WPIAL finals at FNB Stadium during the first weekend of November — and new this year — PIAA Finals will be also be played at FNB Stadium.

We will kick off match coverage with the JRK Memorial Classic (Boys tournament at Pine-Richland), while keeping an eye out for our site visits to preseason camps over the next two weeks.

Remember, you can subscribe today as PSN+ members get access to the exclusive bonus subscriber-only content — including numerous High School features during the season — and a virtually ad-free browsing experience.

2026 Kaitlyn “Moe” Rosensteel Players to Watch

On Monday, the Kaitlyn “Moe” Rosensteel Scholarship Foundation officially released its annual Players to Watch List, highlighting top girls’ talent across Western Pennsylvania:

• Abby Mascaro | Upper St. Clair (Senior)

• Abby Russell | Belle Vernon Area (Senior)

• Abigail Spalla | South Fayette (Senior)

• Ali Watson | Belle Vernon Area (Sophomore)

• Allie Emswiler | Eden Christian (Senior)

• Annabel Miko | Quaker Valley (Senior)

• Arianna Beck | South Park (Senior)

• Avianna Gibbs | Sewickley Academy (Junior)

• Becca Braunsdorf | Mount Lebanon (Senior)

• Brielle Dillon | Bentworth (Senior)

• Callie Adkins | Armstrong (Junior)

• Caylin Seabol | Elizabeth Forward (Senior)

• Cecilia Schlegel | Freeport (Junior)

• Demi Bergman | Thomas Jefferson (Senior)

• Elena Moreschi | Canon Mac (Senior)

• Ellie Arnold | Kiski (Junior)

• Ellie Lebe | Penn Trafford (Sophomore)

• Emelyn Schlater | South Park (Senior)

• Emerson Shine | Latrobe (Senior)

• Emily Grubich | Plum (Senior)

• Emily McKee | Fox Chapel (Senior)

• Fallan Malley | Peters Twp (Senior)

• Gabby Alcalde | Shaler (Senior)

• Gabby Beinecke | South Fayette (Junior)

• Gabriella Bonacci | South Park (Senior)

• Gloria Kovscek | Brownsville (Sophomore)

• Grace Copeland | Franklin Regional (Senior)

• Irelyn Hobbs | Montour (Junior)

• Julia Siket | Mars (Senior)

• Kaylin Hoffman | Peters Twp (Junior)

• Lilia Bhuta | Mount Lebanon (Sophomore)

• Maicee Smith | Elizabeth Forward (Senior)

• Makiah Buchak | Burrell (Senior)

• Marina Hajnosz | Peters Twp (Senior)

• Megan Keturakis | Bentworth (Senior)

• Naudia Zotter | Shaler (Senior)

• Rachel Tomley | Canon Mac (Senior)

• Sarah Coffman | Canon Mac (Junior)

• Saylor Lee | Belle Vernon Area (Senior)

• Taylor McCullough | Peters Twp (Junior)

Coaches Corner: Major Rule Changes for 2026

PIAA is stepping away from the long-standing double-dual/three-whistle system in favor of the standard Diagonal System of Officiating (DSO) used across NCAA, USSF, and international play.

Coaches noted during PSN’s off-season survey that having a single head official will eliminate conflicting calls from far-side referees while allowing Assistant Referees (ARs) to focus purely on offside lines, out-of-bounds, and touchline support using standard international flag mechanics.

The shift also opens the door for USSF and PA West-certified officials to take PIAA matches without adapting to high school mechanics.

“There is a clearer line of responsibility and communication and an opportunity for better positioning from the ARs within the diagonal system versus the double dual,” noted one local coach in the off-season survey.

“Most soccer referees are used to the diagonal system from working USSF games, so I think it will be a very good point of progress.” Another coach added, “With one whistle, the players get a better feel for what the tolerance of the one whistle is. Also, this gives more experienced—or top referees—the ability to manage the game.”

At the same time, coaches raised operational questions regarding crew assignments for smaller programs (such as 1A/2A and Middle School levels), physical conditioning demands on the center ref running the full field, and the potential benefits of providing wireless headsets for inter-crew communication.

“What would probably alleviate a lot of issues is if each crew had Coms to discuss,” shared another coach. “Being able to discuss it provides, in my opinion, the most consistency.”

Elimination of Regular-Season Overtime

Matches tied at the end of 80 minutes will now go straight into the books as draws, bringing regular-season games in line with standard league structures. The primary driver behind the decision is player safety and load management, reducing physical wear and tear during busy two- to three-game weeks to protect small rosters from soft-tissue injuries. It also addresses late-night away bus rides returning well past 10 PM on school nights.

“There are already too many required games in a condensed season without proper time for recovery between games,” said Bishop Canevin girls coach Andy Folmer.

“Especially for 1A teams with small sides, the lack of recovery time between games is a major injury and health risk.”

Bethel Park boys coach Doug Fink echoed similar concerns: “There are too many matches in a short amount of time to begin with… It makes sense to eliminate Extra Time during the regular season when we don’t get home on the bus until 10 PM or later after certain away matches.”

However, the change also brings strategic and competitive trade-offs. Some coaches expressed nostalgia for golden-goal finishes, raised concerns about undermatched teams “bunkering” defensively to preserve a draw, or advocated for alternatives like keeping overtime strictly for section games.

“Overall I think no extra time during the regular season will help the players with recovery and load management,” said Avonworth girls coach JC Mahan.

“I will miss the many memories that sudden goal OTs have produced in the past…”

Bentworth boys coach Nick Malarbi preferred a more measured approach: “I’m voting no but understand why it occurred. My vote is because I would have preferred to see actual data supporting this decision… I would have preferred a shorter overtime period—five or ten total minutes—before eliminating OT altogether.”

Summary of Officiating & Match Format Changes

Best of luck to all players, coaches, and staff as camp continues.

We look forward to seeing everyone on the pitch!

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).