From breathtaking extra-time golden goals to legendary postseason comebacks, the WPIAL girls soccer quarterfinals delivered unforgettable theater.
Quarterfinal Scoreboards:
Here are 10 Things We Learned from the girls’ quarterfinal round!
1. Bentworth Girls Showcase the “Heart of a Champion”
Down 2-0 on the road against No. 4 Shady Side Academy in the second half, defending 1A champion Bentworth summoned an incredible title-winning response. As head coach Tyler Hamstra shared with PSN, the Bearcats showed incredible hunger after feeling they didn’t deserve their first-half deficit: “The second goal really went against us and could’ve broke us, but the girls really fought back and we were so hungry. After we were able to make it 2-1 we really had momentum for the rest of the game.” Erupting for three unanswered goals in the final 30 minutes—capped by Joa Johns’ stunning 40-yard missile—Bentworth stole a 3-2 victory to punch their ticket to the semifinals against Sewickley Academ in what will be a rematch of last year’s Girls 1A district final.
2. Mars Ends South Fayette’s Reign in 3A Heavyweight Bout
There won’t be any trophies in the case for South Fayette this year. After a golden reign that has included multiple WPIAL crowns and last year’s PIAA state title, the Lions have been eliminated at the earliest point in the WPIAL tournament in nearly half a decade.
In a clash of the two most dominant 3A programs of the decade, No. 4 Mars (15-1-1) defended home turf at the Mars Athletic Complex, using late-game heroics from Reese Vuckovich and Miley Gratton in the final 12 minutes of regulation to eliminate South Fayette 2-1 and advance to meet Penn-Trafford.
3. Penn-Trafford Fends Off Hampton in Overtime Thriller
If you like high-level soccer with a lot of goals, Penn-Trafford and Hampton provided plenty of fireworks on Thursday night in Class 3A. Top-seeded Penn-Trafford (14-2-3) avoided a massive upset bid from No. 8 Hampton thanks to freshman star Zoe Bell, who netted the game-winner just five minutes into overtime to cap a wild 4-3 victory.
The Warriors got brilliant multi-assist performances from Kylee McClintock and Ellie Lebe to outlast the Talbots.
4. North Allegheny Survives Norwin in PK Drama
Defending 4A champion North Allegheny (16-2-1) proved once again that Chuck Kelly’s squad is built for November pressure. After battling No. 6 Norwin to a tight 1-1 draw through regulation—featuring an opening goal by Mia Barsotti and an equalizer from Norwin’s Mackenzie Carpenter—the Tigers swept the penalty-kick shootout 3-1, backed by two clutch saves from Jordan Beemer and conversions from Barsotti, Taryn DeWitt, and Kieran Shannon.
5. Riverview Outclasses Springdale in Class 1A Clash
No. 6 Riverview (14-1) kept its stellar postseason run rolling with a clinical 3-1 victory over No. 14 Springdale. Juliette and Isolina Brun each found the back of the net, while Hannah Hudack chipped in a goal and an assist to set up a semifinal date with Winchester Thurston.
6. Sewickley Academy Edges Resilient Carlynton Side
Top-seeded Sewickley Academy (17-0) remained undefeated, but they were pushed to the absolute limit by No. 8 Carlynton before prevailing 1-0 on a winner by Claire Karsman. Carlynton proved they were heavily under-seeded and played like a team that belonged deep in the tournament, giving the top-ranked Panthers all they could handle.
7. Shaler’s Livia Ryan Anchors Clean Sheet Over Elizabeth Forward
No. 2 Shaler (14-3) continued its fantastic season with a 3-0 shutout of No. 7 Elizabeth Forward. Etta Warner netted a brace, and goalkeeper Livia Ryan secured her 11th shutout of the season—highlighted by a massive penalty kick save—to send the Titans to a semifinal meeting with Plum.
8. Freshman Claire Dobson Lifts Winchester Thurston in OT
In a nail-biter in Class 1A, freshman Claire Dobson played the hero, scoring the golden goal in overtime to lift No. 2 Winchester Thurston (17-2) past a game No. 7 Eden Christian side 1-0. The Bears advance to face Riverview in what promises to be an electric all-Section semifinal.
9. Fox Chapel & Mount Lebanon Cruise Into 4A Semifinals
No. 4 Fox Chapel made a major statement in Class 4A, dispatching No. 5 Seneca Valley 3-1 behind goals from Elle Bachman, Ava Henderson, and Emily McKee. Meanwhile, top-seeded Mt. Lebanon cruised past Upper St. Clair 3-0 to set up a massive all-Section clash between the Foxes and Blue Devils in the semifinals.
10. South Park Rolls Onward to the Class 2A Final Four
Unbeaten and untested no longer in terms of pressure, No. 1 South Park (20-0) blanked No. 9 Quaker Valley 2-0 behind goals from Eden Very and Aubrey Tabak. The Eagles march into the semifinals with an unblemished record, where a tough test against Burrell awaits.
📅 Upcoming Semifinal Schedules (Monday & Tuesday)
🗓️ Monday Semifinals (Girls 4A/2A)
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Girls Class 4A: 6 p.m. #2 Peters Township vs. #3 North Allegheny | 8 p.m. #1 Mt. Lebanon vs. #4 Fox Chapel (both matches at Chartiers Valley)
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Girls Class 2A: 6 p.m. #2 Freeport vs. #3 Avonworth | 8 p.m. #1 South Park vs. #4 Burrell (both matches at Fox Chapel)
🗓️ Tuesday Semifinals (Girls 3A/1A)
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Girls Class 3A: 6 p.m. #1 Penn-Trafford vs. #4 Mars | 8 p.m. #2 Shaler vs. #6 Plum (both matches at Fox Chapel)
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Girls Class 1A: 6 p.m. #1 Sewickley Academy vs. #5 Bentworth (Peters Twp) | 7 p.m. #2 Winchester Thurston vs. #6 Riverview (at Gateway)
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