High School Soccer Playoff Rewind: 10 Things We Learned From Monday’s First Round (Girls WPIAL Class 3A/1A)

Monday night provided more excitement across the WPIAL girls soccer landscape, featuring impressive performances and high level soccer in Classes 3A and 1A.

WPIAL Class 3A and 1A Girls Soccer Playoff Final Scoreboard — Monday First Round (Oct. 26)

With the set up in this year’s postseason, believe it or not, there will be days off, including today (Tuesday), the usual Friday, but this year, there will be no games played on Saturday, October 31 (WPIAL avoiding Halloween for once!), while all the classifications will play quarterfinal round matches on Wednesday and Thursday and Semifinal Round matches to be played on Monday and Tuesday of next week.

In addition, as the Quarterfinal Round kicks off on Wednesday for Boys 3A/1A and Girls 4A/2A, the stake will get higher for teams that advance in the WPIAL tournament as they will also get one step closer to qualifying for the PIAA (State) playoffs.

Here’s the breakdown of how many teams qualify for the PIAA from each WPIAL (District 7) classification.  Also please note that Pittsburgh City League schools compete in a separate district, with City League team qualifying for a Play-In game that will take place next week (likely vs District 6 or 9 school). The last two years, Allderdice qualified out of the City League in both boys and girls, with the boys team making an unprecedented run to the PIAA Semifinal last year.

Following an opening night marked by historic milestones, with a bracket buster result like No. 14 Springdale over No. 3 Brownsville, and statement performances from title contenders, here are 10 Things We Learned from Monday’s action!

1. Springdale Bracket-Busting Win vs Brownsville

The biggest surprise of Monday night unfolded in Class 1A. No. 14 Springdale (5-8-1) traveled on the road and outclassed No. 3 Brownsville (15-2) in a 3-2 thriller. Ainsley Wade led the charge with a goal and an assist, while Adele Walters-Vrabel and Makenna Haas chipped in crucial tallies to stun the WPIAL Seeding Committee’s high 3-seed.

Springdale — a program that has certainly been on the big WPIAL tournament big stage before — proved they were battle-tested after surviving a strong section and tough overall schedule alongside Shady Side Academy, Riverview, and Steel Valley.

2. South Fayette Sends a Statement as a Dangerous No. 5 Seed

Defending PIAA Class 3A state champion South Fayette (10-4-5) showed that championship pedigree cannot be ignored. The Lions put on a clinic in a 4-0 victory over No. 12 Franklin Regional, powered by two goals apiece from Abbey Spala and Silvi Rossi.

South Fayette now advances to face No. 4 Mars in what some coaches and insiders have hinted may be a de facto “Finals-level” quarterfinal showdown on Thursday.  I am sure that some of the higher seeded teams in Class 3A will have something to say about that.

3. Emma Eannarino Reaches Century Milestone as Sewickley Rolls

Top-seeded Sewickley Academy (16-0) dominated Beth-Center 12-0 to advance in Class 1A, but the night belonged individually to Emma Eannarino. Eannarino scored a hat trick, punctuated by the milestone 100th career goal of her illustrious high school career. Claire Karsman added three goals of her own, and Madison Sundo chipped in two as the undefeated Panthers rolled into a quarterfinal date with Carlynton.

4. Bentworth Plays Its “Best Match of the Season”

Following a regular season where they shared the Section 2 title, defending Class 1A champion Bentworth (16-2) looked every bit like a title contender in a 5-0 dismantling of No. 12 Aquinas Academy. Head coach Tyler Hamstra noted it was his team’s finest performance of the fall, highlighted by a four-goal masterclass from Brielle Dillon, an insurance goal by Bella Moyer, and a clean sheet notched by goalkeeper Julia Brandau.

Hamstra added: “Playoff wins are some of the hardest things you can do and the hardest thing you have to earn sometimes. Very happy with the group they really put in a great performance.”

5. Carlynton’s Belle D’Antonio Shines Bright

No. 8 Carlynton (11-6) put on an offensive showcase in a 9-0 victory over No. 9 Steel Valley in Class 1A. Belle D’Antonio carved up the defense with four goals and an assist, backed by two goals from Riley Mauro and a goal and two assists from Gigi Choate.

Though it marked a tough exit for Steel Valley—who battled gallantly in Section 4—senior standout Brooklyn Perhacs capped off a truly legendary individual campaign finishing with 42 goals scored on the season.

6. Irelynn Hobbs Continues Her Tear for Montour

One of the most prolific goal-scorers in the district continued her postseason dominance on Monday. Irelynn Hobbs netted a brilliant hat trick, and teammate Uma Hann opened the scoring as No. 3 Montour (12-2-4) defeated No. 14 Knoch 4-1 in Class 3A. With Brooklyn Young adding two assists, the Spartans advance to meet No. 6 Plum in what promises to be a high-octane quarterfinal clash.

7. Shaler’s New Era Under Carlo Prati Rolls On

Under the guidance of veteran coach Carlo Prati—who returned to his alma mater this season after capturing WPIAL gold at Fox Chapel—No. 2 Shaler (13-3) secured a historic home playoff victory, blanking No. 15 Thomas Jefferson 2-0 behind goals from Etta Warner and Lily Trgovic. Though out of section, it was the second win for Shaler this season over TJ.

The Titans will host No. 7 Elizabeth Forward on Thursday looking to keep their dream run alive.

8. Jade Breese Hat Trick Propels Mars Past West Allegheny

No. 4 Mars (14-1-1) made its championship intentions clear in Class 3A, blanking West Allegheny 5-0. Jade Breese put on a finishing masterclass with a brilliant hat trick, while Miley Gratton and Makenna Weaver added tallies to set up Thursday’s heavyweight quarterfinal clash against South Fayette.

9. Penn-Trafford & Elizabeth Forward Flex Offensive Muscle

Top-seeded Penn-Trafford (13-2-3) rolled past Albert Gallatin 8-0 in Class 3A, powered by two goals and two assists from Ellie Lebe, a goal and two assists from Zoe Bell, and additional scoring from Kylee McClintock, Gaby Geary, Ashley Hetrick, Tori Yurt, and Lauryn Francis. Meanwhile, No. 7 Elizabeth Forward handled Latrobe 5-2 to advance and set up a quarterfinal date with Shaler.

10. Winchester Thurston, Shady Side & Eden Christian Cruise

Rounding out the dominant opening-night performances, No. 2 Winchester Thurston (16-2) blanked Mohawk 7-0 behind a hat trick from Iris Jarrin and two goals from Kimi Smuckler. No. 4 Shady Side Academy defeated Serra Catholic 11-0, and No. 7 Eden Christian topped Chartiers-Houston 2-0 thanks to goals from Violet McKinney and Lily Kostelnik, setting the stage for a compelling slate of Thursday quarterfinals.

WPIAL Playoff Tournament Schedules

Quarterfinals — Thursday, October 29 (Higher seeds host)

• Girls Class 3A Quarterfinals:

  • Top Half: #8 Hampton at #1 Penn-Trafford | #5 South Fayette at #4 Mars — Thursday, Oct. 29 (Time TBA)

  • Bottom Half: #7 Elizabeth Forward at #2 Shaler | #6 Plum at #3 Montour — Thursday, Oct. 29 (Time TBA)

• Girls Class 1A Quarterfinals:

  • Top Half: #8 Carlynton at #1 Sewickley Academy | #5 Bentworth at #4 Shady Side Academy — Thursday, Oct. 29 (Time TBA)

  • Bottom Half: #7 Eden Christian at #2 Winchester Thurston | #14 Springdale at #6 Riverview — Thursday, Oct. 29 (Time TBA)

Semifinals — Tuesday, November 3 (Neutral Sites)

• Class 3A and 1A Semifinal fixtures narrowing fields down to the final two district contenders.

WPIAL Championships & Consolation Finals — F.N.B. Stadium (Nov. 5–7 Window)

PIAA Championship Tournament

• Brackets revealed Sunday, November 8

• First Round Tuesday, November 10

• Quarterfinal Round, November 14

• Semifinal Round, November 17

• Championship (FNB Stadium) — November 20 and November 21

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).