WPIAL / PIAA Boys High School Soccer Daily Report (Sept 21): Standings overview as first half of section play closes out this week

At Pittsburgh Soccer Now, we stick to a firm principle throughout the high school campaign: in-season rankings and early predictions carry little weight. Some of the other media outlets will classify teams by their rankings but what do those rankings actually mean?

 The true picture of WPIAL and City League soccer is only beginning to take shape as the teams complete the first half of section play this week.

With the 2026 calendar extending slightly longer than usual—regular season finales wrap up on Wednesday, October 21, followed quickly by the WPIAL postseason kickoff on Saturday, October 24—we are reaching the point where raw data, section records, and goal differentials start telling a definitive story.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now playoff bracket projections will roll out in early October.  Here we take a glance at the latest standings, hopefully in a pretty user, all-device friendly format below along with some notes above each classification as teams get ready to close out the first half of section play this season this week.

Class 4A Notes

Section 1 features Norwin standing tall at 3-0-0 in conference play with a dominant 29-7 overall goal tally, while defending Class 4A champs, Fox Chapel sits closely behind at 2-1-0.  In 2023, when Norwin made an improbable run to the WPIAL title as a number eight seed (out of eight teams), then right out of college, Carter Breen had to step in to coach his alma mater in the WPIAL Semifinal and Final wins.  This year, Breen, in his first official season at the helm as Head Coach, since taking over for Scott Schuchert, has a talented roster that’s been showing plenty of firepower, including a 3-1 win vs Fox Chapel on September 10.  It’s also been a very interesting season of transition for Norwin, as in addition having Breen installed as the new Head Coach, they’re a team playing without a home due to the renovations to its stadium.  Matches to watch this week: For the first time in a number of years, Fox Chapel and Central Catholic will renew their rivalry in boys soccer as members of the same section, when they face-off on Thursday.

In Section 2, where the South Hills corridor of schools always produces intense battles, Peters Township leads the way at 2-0-1 followed by a tight pack featuring Mt. Lebanon and Canon-McMillan at 2-1-0.  Upper St. Clair showed plenty of grit in battling Peters to the final whistle on Thursday, finding an equalizer at the death. Matches to watch this week: Riding a three-game winning streak, Mt. Lebanon will face Canon-McMillan and Upper St. Clair this week. Those three teams look like they’ll be battling Peters all the way to the end of the season for positioning in the standings.  

Meanwhile, North Allegheny commands Section 3 at 3-0-0, having allowed zero goals in section play (6-0) and only 2 goals overall across seven matches (13-2). The Tigers turned some heads by defeating Seneca Valley, 1-0, last Tuesday. On Saturday night, NA hosted last year’s PIAA 3A semifinalist Allderdice — as the teams played to a 1-1 draw.  George Williams’ Raiders squad came into that match unbeaten, with a plus-13 goal differential. Seneca Valley did bounce back rather strongly, with another 7-0 win, this time it came against North Hills, who won its first two matches in section (beating Butler and Pine-Richland).

WPIAL Class 4A Standings

Section 1

• Norwin — 3-0-0 Sec (+10) | 6-0-1 Overall (+22)

• Fox Chapel — 2-1-0 Sec (+8) | 4-2-0 Overall (+10)

• Hempfield — 1-1-1 Sec (-1) | 2-2-1 Overall (+5)

• Gateway — 1-1-1 Sec (-3) | 4-3-1 Overall (0)

• Central Catholic — 1-2-0 Sec (+2) | 3-4-1 Overall (0)

• Connellsville — 0-3-0 Sec (-20) | 2-4-0 Overall (-17)

Section 2

• Peters Township — 2-0-1 Sec (+5) | 4-0-1 Overall (+10)

• Mt. Lebanon — 2-1-0 Sec (+9) | 5-2-1 Overall (+16)

• Canon-McMillan — 2-1-0 Sec (+1) | 4-2-0 Overall (+1)

• Upper St. Clair — 1-1-1 Sec (+2) | 1-2-4 Overall (+1)

• Baldwin — 1-2-0 Sec (-12) | 2-4-0 Overall (-14)

• Bethel Park — 0-3-0 Sec (-5) | 1-7-0 Overall (-11)

Section 3

• North Allegheny — 3-0-0 Sec (+6) | 5-1-1 Overall (+11)

• North Hills — 2-1-0 Sec (-4) | 6-2-1 Overall (+2)

• Seneca Valley — 2-1-0 Sec (+13) | 5-1-0 Overall (+23)

• Pine-Richland — 1-2-0 Sec (-4) | 4-2-1 Overall (+5)

• Moon — 1-2-0 Sec (-4) | 3-4-1 Overall (-4)

• Butler — 0-3-0 Sec (-7) | 1-7-0 Overall (-13)

Class 3A Notes

At the top of Section 1 is a pretty interesting race brewing between Franklin Regional and Penn-Trafford. That will culminate this week as the teams will finally meet for the first time this year.  That match is on Thursday. Between the two sides, they’ve surrendered just one goal in section play.

In Section 2, Ringgold and Trinity (each 2-0-1) have taken the early lead in the race and also played to a scoreless deadlock last week.

Back in Class 3A, Plum got tested with the Mars-Hampton gauntlet last week, coming away with 2-0 and 1-0 wins, respectively to take early command of Section three.

Without Moon this year in 3A, it’s been interesting to see how the newly reshuffled Section 4 (Western Allegheny/Beaver) is shaping up, as Jack Shearer has his group in contention as they’ve moved up from Class 2A with a strong squad and in the first three matches, knocked off perennial 3A playoff contenders, Montour, South Fayette and last year’s defending WPIAL title holders, West Allegheny.

And lets not ignore the City League — as Allderdice is playing everyone they can in WPIAL Class 4A and Class 3A — and thus far are holding up well with a 3W-3L-2D record that includes Saturday’s draw at one of the top teams in Class 4A thus far this season, North Allegheny.

WPIAL Class 3A Standings

Section 1

• Franklin Regional — 4-0-0 Sec (+17) | 6-1-0 Overall (+18)

• Penn-Trafford — 4-0-0 Sec (+26) | 5-2-0 Overall (+24)

• Kiski Area — 2-2-1 Sec (-4) | 2-4-1 Overall (-9)

• Armstrong — 1-1-1 Sec (-2) | 3-2-1 Overall (+3)

• Latrobe — 1-2-0 Sec (+5) | 1-5-0 Overall (-6)

• Indiana — 1-3-0 Sec (-7) | 3-3-1 Overall (+2)

• Greensburg Salem — 0-5-0 Sec (-35) | 0-7-0 Overall (-40)

Section 2

• Ringgold — 2-0-1 Sec (+7) | 4-1-1 Overall (+11)

• Trinity — 2-0-1 Sec (+6) | 3-0-3 Overall (+7)

• Uniontown — 2-1-0 Sec (+8) | 4-2-0 Overall (+8)

• Thomas Jefferson — 2-1-0 Sec (+9) | 3-5-1 Overall (+4)

• Albert Gallatin — 0-3-0 Sec (-21) | 2-5-0 Overall (-24)

• Laurel Highlands — 0-3-0 Sec (-9) | 1-5-0 Overall (-3)

Section 3

• Plum — 3-0-0 Sec (+7) | 6-0-0 Overall (+11)

• Hampton — 2-1-0 Sec (+3) | 6-1-1 Overall (+19)

• Mars — 2-1-0 Sec (+2) | 3-1-3 Overall (+6)

• Shaler — 1-2-0 Sec (-4) | 1-6-0 Overall (-10)

• Penn Hills — 0-2-1 Sec (-2) | 1-3-2 Overall (-2)

• Woodland Hills — 0-2-1 Sec (-6) | 1-2-1 Overall (-2)

Section 4

• Central Valley — 3-0-0 Sec (+6) | 3-2-0 Overall (+3)

• Chartiers Valley — 2-1-0 Sec (+6) | 5-1-0 Overall (+10)

• West Allegheny — 2-1-0 Sec (+11) | 5-2-0 Overall (+13)

• South Fayette — 2-1-0 Sec (+5) | 3-1-2 Overall (+8)

• Blackhawk — 0-3-0 Sec (-19) | 0-4-0 Overall (-24)

• Montour — 0-3-0 Sec (-9) | 0-5-0 Overall (-12)

Pittsburgh City League (District 8) Standings

• Obama Academy — 1-0-0 Sec (+2) | 1-5-0 Overall (-4)

• Allderdice — 0-0-0 Sec (0) | 3-3-2 Overall (0)

• Brashear — 0-1-0 Sec (-2) | 1-2-0 Overall (-4)

2A Notes

Class 2A is the Wild-Wild West of WPIAL boys soccer this year — with FIVE sections!  By all indications (unless WPIAL committee provides any other updates that we don’t know about) they will still be taking the top four teams from each section, but this will create an added preliminary round to the 2A tournament.

In Section 1, Freeport has been a bit of a surprise at the top of the standings, but they’ll get a good test this week when they face defending 2A champs Deer Lakes on Tuesday on the road for a match that will set the top of the table order for the first half of the season.

The talented North Catholic group has followed its solid JRK Memorial Classic showing this year by getting off to a very solid start in Section play and remain undefeated in an eight-team section that requires 14 total matches in-section.

The top of Section 3 may be the group of death in WPIAL boys soccer this year– with Avonworth, Quaker Valley and Shady Side Academy all lurking near the top of the standings.

WPIAL Class 2A Standings

Section 1

• Freeport — 4-0-0 Sec (+27) | 5-1-1 Overall (+26)

• Deer Lakes — 3-0-0 Sec (+30) | 4-2-1 Overall (+27)

• Burrell — 3-1-0 Sec (+8) | 5-2-1 Overall (+14)

• Knoch — 2-1-0 Sec (+12) | 3-4-0 Overall (+8)

• Highlands — 1-3-0 Sec (-5) | 2-3-0 Overall (-4)

• Leechburg — 0-3-0 Sec (-34) | 0-3-0 Overall (-34)

• Valley — 0-5-0 Sec (-38) | 0-8-0 Overall (-71)

Section 2

• North Catholic — 4-0-0 Sec (+20) | 7-0-0 Overall (+25)

• Ambridge — 3-1-0 Sec (+13) | 5-2-0 Overall (+15)

• Beaver Area — 3-1-0 Sec (+21) | 4-2-0 Overall (+21)

• Mohawk — 2-2-0 Sec (-5) | 3-3-0 Overall (+2)

• Hopewell — 2-2-0 Sec (+14) | 2-3-1 Overall (+8)

• South Side — 1-3-0 Sec (-4) | 1-4-0 Overall (-8)

• Ellwood City — 1-3-0 Sec (-29) | 1-3-1 Overall (-29)

• Riverside — 0-4-0 Sec (-30) | 0-5-0 Overall (-45)

Section 3

• Avonworth — 4-0-0 Sec (+21) | 8-0-0 Overall (+34)

• Quaker Valley — 4-0-1 Sec (+18) | 5-2-1 Overall (+15)

• Shady Side Academy — 2-1-1 Sec (+13) | 3-2-1 Overall (+13)

• West Mifflin — 1-3-0 Sec (+3) | 3-4-0 Overall (+1)

• Steel Valley — 1-3-0 Sec (-21) | 2-4-0 Overall (-22)

• East Allegheny — 1-3-0 Sec (-20) | 2-5-0 Overall (-24)

• South Allegheny — 0-3-0 Sec (-14) | 0-6-0 Overall (-25)

Section 4

• Seton LaSalle — 3-0-1 Sec (+11) | 4-2-1 Overall (+13)

• Charleroi — 2-0-1 Sec (+3) | 4-0-1 Overall (+24)

• Elizabeth Forward — 2-0-1 Sec (+8) | 4-2-1 Overall (+3)

• South Park — 1-1-3 Sec (+2) | 2-1-4 Overall (+3)

• Keystone Oaks — 1-2-1 Sec (-1) | 2-3-1 Overall (-3)

• McGuffey — 1-3-1 Sec (-6) | 2-4-1 Overall (-4)

• Waynesburg Central — 0-4-0 Sec (-17) | 2-4-0 Overall (-10)

Section 5

• Belle Vernon — 5-0-0 Sec (+17) | 7-0-1 Overall (+20)

• Mount Pleasant — 4-1-0 Sec (+17) | 6-1-0 Overall (+25)

• Derry Area — 2-2-0 Sec (-6) | 4-3-0 Overall (+4)

• Yough — 2-2-0 Sec (+3) | 2-3-0 Overall (+2)

• Ligonier Valley — 1-3-0 Sec (-11) | 2-4-0 Overall (-8)

• Southmoreland — 1-3-0 Sec (-3) | 1-5-0 Overall (-11)

• Brownsville — 0-4-0 Sec (-17) | 1-6-0 Overall (-22)

Class 1A

While Class 2A increased to five sections, Class 1A is now down to three sections, but this season, while Bentworth comes in again as the favorites, there’s some heated competition with Beaver County Christian surging into first place ahead of Our Lady of Sacred Heart in Section 1 and Winchester Thurston is getting some stiff challenges from both Trinity Christian and Springdale in Section 3.

WPIAL Class 1A Standings

Section 1

• Beaver County Christian — 5-0-0 Sec (+11) | 8-0-0 Overall (+34)

• Our Lady of the Sacred Heart — 3-1-0 Sec (+11) | 4-4-0 Overall (+11)

• Freedom — 3-2-0 Sec (-2) | 5-2-0 Overall (+1)

• Aquinas Academy — 1-2-1 Sec (-4) | 1-2-1 Overall (-4)

• Neshannock — 1-3-1 Sec (-2) | 2-3-1 Overall (+6)

• Eden Christian — 1-3-1 Sec (-3) | 1-4-1 Overall (-4)

• Sewickley Academy — 0-3-1 Sec (-11) | 0-5-2 Overall (-16)

Section 2

• Bentworth — 5-0-0 Sec (+52) | 5-1-0 Overall (+51)

• Bishop Canevin — 3-2-0 Sec (+7) | 4-2-0 Overall (+11)

• Serra Catholic — 3-2-0 Sec (-11) | 4-2-0 Overall (-7)

• Chartiers-Houston — 2-1-2 Sec (+11) | 6-1-2 Overall (+27)

• Carlynton — 2-2-0 Sec (-16) | 3-2-1 Overall (-15)

• Brentwood — 1-3-1 Sec (-1) | 1-3-1 Overall (-1)

• Beth-Center — 1-3-1 Sec (+6) | 1-5-1 Overall (-2)

• California — 0-4-0 Sec (-48) | 0-6-0 Overall (-68)

Section 3

• Winchester Thurston — 3-0-1 Sec (+17) | 7-0-1 Overall (+25)

• Trinity Christian — 2-0-3 Sec (+4) | 3-0-4 Overall (+5)

• Springdale — 2-1-1 Sec (+5) | 4-2-1 Overall (+17)

• Riverview — 2-1-1 Sec (+8) | 4-3-1 Overall (+11)

• Jeannette — 1-2-0 Sec (+11) | 3-3-0 Overall (+18)

• Greensburg Central Catholic — 1-3-0 Sec (-9) | 2-4-0 Overall (-12)

• St. Joseph — 0-4-0 Sec (-36) | 0-5-0 Overall (-41)

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