WPIAL Girls Soccer Playoff Preview and Keys to Road to F.N.B.: Class 1A

WPIAL Class 1A girls soccer combines small-school passion, high-scoring individual phenoms, and elite tactical programs.

Top-seeded Sewickley Academy (15-0-0), No. 2 Winchester Thurston (15-2-0), and No. 3 Brownsville (15-1-0) headline a bracket overflowing with high-volume goal scorers and incredible postseason storylines.

🔑 Five Keys to the Road to F.N.B. Stadium

WPIAL Girls Soccer Playoff Preview and Keys to Road to F.N.B.: Class 1A

WPIAL Class 1A girls soccer combines small-school passion, high-scoring individual phenoms, and elite tactical programs.

Top-seeded Sewickley Academy (15-0-0), No. 2 Winchester Thurston (15-2-0), and No. 3 Brownsville (15-1-0) headline a bracket overflowing with high-volume goal scorers and incredible postseason storylines.

1. Top-Seeded Sewickley Academy’s WPIAL-Best Attack

Top-seeded Sewickley Academy (15-0-0) is one of just three undefeated girls teams in the WPIAL. Winning Section 1 with an unblemished 12-0 mark, the Panthers scored a classification-best 119 goals (7.9 goals per game) while giving up just 12. They open at Peters Township MS against No. 16 Beth-Center.  The Panthers have been led offensively by senior forward Emma Eannarino, sophomore midfielder Claire Karsman and junior forward Avianna Gibbs with others contributing each game. They came up just short a year ago, losing to Bentworth in the District Final in a match where they controlled play for long stretches. Lessons learned from that run and with talented roster makes the Panthers the team to beat in this bracket.

2. Winchester Thurston’s Experienced Roster & Ava Keller

No. 2 seed Winchester Thurston (15-2-0) captured the Section 3 title behind senior midfielder Ava Keller and a battle-tested roster. Looking to advance past last year’s semifinal exit, the Bears face No. 15 Mohawk tonight at U.S. Steel Community Field in Hazelwood.

3. Brownsville Claims the No. 3 Seed

Section 2 co-champion Brownsville (15-1-0) earned the prized No. 3 seed over rival Bentworth, likely by virtue of their late-season head-to-head section victory. Backed by a lockdown defense that has surrendered only 9 goals all season, the Falcons face No. 14 Springdale tonight at Penn-Trafford.

4. Defending Champion Bentworth at No. 5 & Their Star Core

Defending WPIAL champion Bentworth (14-2-0) begins its title defense from the No. 5 seed slot. Head coach Tyler Hamstra’s squad was steel-tested early against higher-classification opponents and remains one of the most dangerous, high-scoring teams in the state. Powered by returning All-WPIAL standouts Megan Keturakis, Brielle Dillon, and Bella Moyer, the Bearcats face No. 12 Aquinas Academy tonight at Peters Township MS.

5. Brooklyn Perhacs & Steel Valley’s Firepower

If you want goals, watch No. 9 seed Steel Valley (8-5-0). Senior phenom Brooklyn Perhacs put up an astonishing 42 goals, supported by Talia Tozzi (9G, 16A). Coach Ed Tozzi’s group faces No. 8 Carlynton (10-6-0) at Avonworth tonight in a mouth-watering 8/9 matchup.

📋 Mini Team Capsules & Round of 16 Matchups

• No. 1 Sewickley Academy Panthers (15-0-0) — Undefeated Section 1 champs with 119 goals. (Faces #16 Beth-Center, Mon. 6:00 PM @ Peters Twp MS)

• No. 2 Winchester Thurston Bears (15-2-0) — Section 3 champions led by Ava Keller. (Faces #15 Mohawk, Mon. 7:00 PM @ Hazelwood)

• No. 3 Brownsville Falcons (15-1-0) — Conceded only 9 goals; earned #3 seed over Bentworth. (Faces #14 Springdale, Mon. 6:00 PM @ Penn-Trafford)

• No. 4 Shady Side Academy Bulldogs (8-5-0) — Went 7-2 down the stretch hosting Serra Catholic. (Hosts #13 Serra Catholic, Mon. 6:00 PM)

• No. 5 Bentworth Bearcats (14-2-0) — Defending champions (Megan Keturakis, Brielle Dillon, Bella Moyer) beginning title defense as the #5 seed. (Faces #12 Aquinas Academy, Mon. 8:00 PM @ Peters Twp MS)

• No. 6 Riverview Raiders (12-1-0) — Co-section champs fronted by Mary Quinlan. (Faces #11 Freedom Area, Mon. 8:00 PM @ Fox Chapel)

• No. 7 Eden Christian Academy (10-5-1) — Solid group facing Chartiers-Houston at North Allegheny. (Faces #10 Chartiers-Houston, Mon. 6:00 PM @ NA)

• No. 8 Carlynton Cougars (10-6-0) — Hosts Steel Valley in Avonworth opening clash. (Faces #9 Steel Valley, Mon. 6:00 PM @ Avonworth)

• No. 9 Steel Valley Ironmen (8-5-0) — Powered by Brooklyn Perhacs’ 42 goals. (Faces #8 Carlynton, Mon. 6:00 PM @ Avonworth)

• No. 10 Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers (8-8-1) — Faces Eden Christian at North Allegheny. (Faces #7 Eden Christian, Mon. 6:00 PM @ NA)

• No. 11 Freedom Area Bulldogs (6-8-1) — Traditional postseason power taking on Riverview. (Faces #6 Riverview, Mon. 8:00 PM @ Fox Chapel)

• No. 12 Aquinas Academy Crusaders (5-5-1) — Draws defending champion Bentworth at Peters Township. (Faces #5 Bentworth, Mon. 8:00 PM @ Peters Twp MS)

• No. 13 Serra Catholic Eagles (6-8-2) — Travels to Shady Side Academy. (Travels to #4 Shady Side Academy, Mon. 6:00 PM)

• No. 14 Springdale Dynamos (4-8-1) — Takes on #3 Brownsville at Penn-Trafford. (Faces #3 Brownsville, Mon. 6:00 PM @ Penn-Trafford)

• No. 15 Mohawk Warriors (8-6-2) — D-10 tested side (Audrey Whippo, Audrina Cox) facing Winchester Thurston. (Faces #2 Winchester Thurston, Mon. 7:00 PM @ Hazelwood)

• No. 16 Beth-Center Bulldogs (3-11-2) — Draws top-seeded Sewickley Academy. (Faces #1 Sewickley Academy, Mon. 6:00 PM @ Peters Twp MS)

🗺️ Official Tournament Bracket & Schedule Roadmap

First Round (Monday, October 26 — Chronological Order):

• • #16 Beth-Center vs. #1 Sewickley Academy — 6:00 PM @ Peters Township MS

  • #14 Springdale vs. #3 Brownsville — 6:00 PM @ Penn-Trafford HS

  • #13 Serra Catholic at #4 Shady Side Academy — 6:00 PM @ Shady Side Academy

  • #10 Chartiers-Houston vs. #7 Eden Christian — 6:00 PM @ North Allegheny HS

  • #9 Steel Valley vs. #8 Carlynton — 6:00 PM @ Avonworth HS

  • #15 Mohawk vs. #2 Winchester Thurston — 7:00 PM @ U.S. Steel Community Field (Hazelwood)

  • #12 Aquinas Academy vs. #5 Bentworth — 8:00 PM @ Peters Township MS

  • #11 Freedom Area vs. #6 Riverview — 8:00 PM @ Fox Chapel HS

Quarterfinals: Thursday, October 29 (Higher seeds host)

Semifinals: Tuesday, November 3 (Neutral sites)

WPIAL Championship & PIAA Play-In / WPIAL Consolation: November 5 Window @ F.N.B. Stadium

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).