WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer is easily one of the wildest, most unpredictable brackets in the district. Following preliminary play-in matches, a massive 20-team field has been trimmed down to the final Round of 16. With top-seeded Avonworth establishing high-scoring dominance, defending champion Deer Lakes seeking more history, and lower-seed chaos built into the very DNA of Class 2A—as Shady Side Academy head coach Ed Ellsworth noted from winning titles as a 15th seed—the road to F.N.B. Stadium is wide open.
🔑 Five Keys to the Road to F.N.B. Stadium
1. Avonworth’s High-Powered Firepower
Returning semifinalist Avonworth (#1 seed, 15-1-1) enters as the team to beat, capturing Section 3 decisively and outscoring opponents 88-8 with 10 shutouts.
Led by dynamic playmaker Calder Mahan, the question isn’t whether the Antelopes can score—they’ve put up seven or more goals six times this fall—but whether they can break through and finally capture that elusive WPIAL championship banner.
2. The Madness Includes Very Strong Top Four but Lower-Seed Cinderellas Can Emerge
Class 2A is legendary for lower seeds launching deep postseason runs. As Shady Side Academy head coach Ed Ellsworth discussed on the Kids on the Pitch Podcast, seeding numbers can be deceiving: “I’ve won it as the 15th seed. I’ve won it as the 11 seed. We lost in the final as the 1-seed… There’s a lot of paths to the final right now.”
With Shady Side navigating a brutal schedule in Section 3 alongside Avonworth and Quaker Valley, and defending champion Deer Lakes riding a 12-game unbeaten streak into a 90-goal offensive rhythm, the lower half of the bracket is primed for chaos. Watch out for Artemy Parshyn, who has been a dynamic catalyst driving the defending champions’ Deer Lakes 90-goal offensive machine. Meanwhile, No. 3 North Catholic (89 goals) has been equally dynamic — as we saw them early this season dominate at JRK Memorial Classic. NC’s only loss this season came to District 10 power Erie Cathedral Prep. Don’t look past No. 4 Elizabeth Forward either, the Warriors are riding a 14-game unbeaten streak.
3. Mount Pleasant’s 15-Game Win Streak Tested Against Blue-Blood South Park
Speaking of winning streaks — in this crazy 20 team bracket, there’s a high quality No. 5 seed Section champions lurking too — Mount Pleasant (17-1-0) enters the bracket on a blistering 15-game winning streak, averaging nearly 5 goals per game while allowing just one all season. Powered by Tyke Snyder (25G, 10A) and Lukas Showman (13G, 8A), the Vikings bring relentless offensive pressure. As coach Floyd Snyder noted, their aggressive tactical shift transformed their season, making them a tough matchup for No. 12 South Park tonight. The teams actually did play earlier this season, with Mt. Pleasant coming away with one of its toughest wins of the season, a 2-1 decision. South Park, usually a dominant side in its section, battled to get into the playoffs this season but cannot be discounted as they wear a different hat for once — not being a hunted top seed but as a potential sleeper.
4. Shady Side Academy & Seton LaSalle: The Battle-Tested Rematch
No. 6 seed Shady Side Academy brings proven postseason pedigree, hardened by an elite non-conference schedule and a brutal section slate. In a fascinating first-round twist, SSA faces No. 11 Seton LaSalle in a rematch of last year’s opening-round clash. Despite missing top scorer Zack Powers due to injury down the stretch, Ed Ellsworth’s young squad has relied on stellar play from Liam McKim, Jack Morowitz, and goalkeeper Liam Cowan to grind out results. They’ll have to be on their ‘A’ game on Monday, as Nick Balzer’s squad is battle-tested coming out of a section that was an intense battle to the end of the regular season.
5. he Deep Contender Gauntlet Filled with Talented Players
No. 8 seed Freeport enters the dance behind 11 clean sheets and goalkeeper Judah Thompson, looking to build on coach Brad Walker’s sentiment that they are no longer just happy to be in the tournament — as they really pushed Deer Lakes thsi season in their section. Looking at the rest of the field, there are numerous teams more than capable of pulling off an upset or two. Ambridge scored eight goals in its preliminary round match. Cannot forget another program with impressive WPIAL championship pedigree, and that’s No. 9 Quaker Valley who will certainly provide a good fight for Freeport. Quaker Valley finished third in that killer section with Avonworth and Shady Side. Another good first round match pits last year’s runner-up, Beaver, against Belle Vernon, who’ve had a great season. Beaver’s attack, generated 92 goals this season, with Shane Ebbitt leading the way.
📋 Mini Team Capsules & Round of 16 Matchups
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No. 1 Avonworth Antelopes (15-1-1) — Led by Calder Mahan; hosts West Mifflin.
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No. 2 Deer Lakes Lancers (13-2-2) — Defending champs with 90 goals; hosts Hopewell.
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No. 3 North Catholic Trojans (15-1-2) — High-scoring attack facing Burrell at Mars.
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No. 4 Elizabeth Forward Warriors (13-2-2) — 14-game late-season unbeaten run; hosts Ambridge.
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No. 5 Mount Pleasant Vikings (17-1-0) — Powered by Tyke Snyder & Lukas Showman; hosts South Park.
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No. 6 Shady Side Academy Bulldogs (11-3-3) — Led by Liam McKim; hosts Seton LaSalle in a playoff rematch.
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No. 7 Beaver Area Bobcats (11-2-4) — 92-goal offense fronted by Shane Ebbitt; hosts Belle Vernon.
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No. 8 Freeport Yellowjackets (12-3-2) — 11 shutouts; hosts section rival Quaker Valley.
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No. 9 Quaker Valley Quakers (10-5-2) — Veteran semifinalists visiting Freeport.
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No. 10 Belle Vernon Leopards (14-1-2) — Defensively sound side visiting Beaver.
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No. 11 Seton LaSalle Rebels (9-4-3) — Won 4 of last 5; visits Shady Side Academy.
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No. 12 South Park Eagles (6-4-7) — Dangerous lower seed visiting Mount Pleasant.
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No. 13 Ambridge Bridgewaters (13-4-2) — Pigtail winner visiting Elizabeth Forward.
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No. 14 Burrell Buccaneers (11-5-3) — Pigtail winner taking on North Catholic at Mars.
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No. 15 Hopewell Vikings (9-7-2) — Double-OT preliminary winner heading to Deer Lakes.
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No. 16 West Mifflin Titans (10-9-0) — Prelim winner drawing top-seeded Avonworth.
🗺️ Official Tournament Bracket & Schedule Roadmap
First Round (Monday, October 26 — Chronological Order):
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#15 Hopewell at #2 Deer Lakes — 7:00 PM @ Deer Lakes HS
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#12 South Park at #5 Mount Pleasant — 7:00 PM @ Mount Pleasant HS
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#10 Belle Vernon at #7 Beaver Area — 7:00 PM @ Beaver Area HS
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#9 Quaker Valley at #8 Freeport — 7:00 PM @ Freeport HS
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#16 West Mifflin at #1 Avonworth — 8:00 PM @ Avonworth HS
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#14 Burrell vs. #3 North Catholic — 8:00 PM @ Mars Athletic Complex
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#13 Ambridge at #4 Elizabeth Forward — 8:00 PM @ Elizabeth Forward HS
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#11 Seton LaSalle at #6 Shady Side Academy — 8:00 PM @ Shady Side Academy
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Quarterfinals: Thursday, October 29 (Higher seeds host)
#10 Belle Vernon at #7 Beaver Area winner vs #15 Hopewell at #2 Deer Lakes winner
#11 Seton LaSalle at #6 Shady Side Academy winner vs #14 Burrell vs. #3 North Catholic winner
#12 South Park at #5 Mount Pleasant vs #13 Ambridge at #4 Elizabeth Forward winner
#9 Quaker Valley at #8 Freeport winner vs #16 West Mifflin at #1 Avonworth
Semifinals: Tuesday, November 3 (Neutral sites)
WPIAL Championship & Consolation: November 5 Window @ F.N.B. Stadium
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