WPIAL Boys & Girls Soccer Championship Saturday
WPIAL Championship Saturday once again provided 10-plus hours, four-game extravaganza filled with emotion, excitement, dynamic play, clutch performances and heartbreak for eight teams, crowning four very deserving champions at F.N.B. Stadium.
On this Championship Saturday match-by-match thread, we chronicled, in real time, district Championship wins bookended by two boys programs (Belle Vernon and Bentworth) from the Mon Valley taking gold, while the two most historically successful Girls programs in the WPIAL (Mt. Lebanon and Mars) added to their impressive trophy cases after a couple droughts.
Final Scoreboard
FINAL Class 2A Boys –#10 Belle Vernon 1, #9 Quaker Valley 0 (AET2)
FINAL: Class 4A Girls: #1 Mt. Lebanon 0, #3 North Allegheny 0 (Mt. Lebanon wins PK shootout, 5-4)
FINAL: Class 3A Girls: #4 Mars 2, #2 Shaler 1
FINAL: Class 1A Boys: #1 Bentworth vs. #3 OLSH 1 (AET2)
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⚽ Match 1: Class 2A Boys Championship – BELLE VERNON WINS FIRST EVER DISTRICT SOCCER TITLE!
#9 Quaker Valley (13-6-2) vs. #10 Belle Vernon (18-1-2)
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Status: FINAL
⏱️ Match Updates, Tactical Notes & Takeaways
Look for live updates to follow here — Tunde Akinlosotu is providing coverage of this matchup of two very different schools with contrasting soccer histories and styles, both vying for WPIAL gold.
FINAL; BELLE VERNON 1, QUAKER VALLEY 0
105′ — GOLDEN GOAL — BELLE VERNON WINS!!! Jordan Jerome nets home the game winning goal in the box for Belle Vernon off a free kick from midfield.
Jerome to Pittsburgh Soccer Now: “It skimmed off the top of my head, hit the post — and went in”
Head Coach, Tyler Caterino: “It’s indescribable. if I could bottle it up this feeling and sell it, it would go for millions”
END OF 1ST PERIOD OF ET:Quaker Valley 0, Belle Vernon 0
93′ — Morgan Bunch has totaled eight saves this game and made a key one on a header from Quaker Valley’s Connor West
88′ — A chance for QV…
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END OF REGULATION:Quaker Valley 0, Belle Vernon 0
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HALFTIME: Quaker Valley 0, Belle Vernon 0 — Quaker Valley generated 6 corner kicks in the opening 40 minutes but couldn’t convert. Belle Vernon goalkeeper Morgan Bunch made 4 big saves to keep the match deadlocked at zero.
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⚽ Match 2: Class 4A Girls Championship – MT. LEBANON WINS FIRST TITLE SINCE 2008!!!
No. 1 Mt. Lebanon (16-1-2) vs. No. 3 North Allegheny (17-3-1)
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Status: FINAL
PSN’s Match Story by Rachael Palmer
⏱️ Match Updates, Tactical Notes & Takeaways
PK SHOOTOUT — MT. LEBANON WINS 5-4.
110′ — END OF SECOND PERIOD OF EXTRA TIME — Both teams with meddling chances but can’t generate anything real dangerous
80′ — END OF REGULATION: North Allegheny 0-0 Mt. Lebanon
40′ — HALF: North Allegheny 0-0 Mt. Lebanon
6′ — Opportunity for Mt. Lebanon, as Rebecca Braunsdorf, the junior midfielder, earns a free kick about five yards outside of the box. She attempts the chip, but it goes over the crossbar.
1′ — We are underway at F.N.B. Stadium! Rachael Palmer here, on the ground, for coverage of today’s Class 4A Championship final with North Allegheny vs. Mt. Lebanon.
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PIAA Outlook: The WPIAL champion will face the District 3 fourth-place finisher, while the runner-up will take on the champion of District 8, 9, or 10 in the PIAA first round on Nov. 11.
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⚽ Match 3: Class 3A Girls Championship — MARS WINS ITS 9th TITLE!
No. 4 Mars (17-1-1) vs. No. 2 Shaler (15-4)
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Status: It’s Happening
⏱️ Match Updates, Tactical Notes & Takeaways
Look for live updates to follow here — John Krysinsky is providing coverage of this heavyweight matchup in Girls 3A!
FINAL — MARS 2, SHALER 1
64′ — GOAL — MARS TAKES THE LEAD — 2-1 — Mackenzie Powell presses — wins ball back and accelerates into box then beats Shaler keeper Livia Ryan
61′ — Dangerous free kick for Shalers after foul on edge of the box
HALFTIME — MARS 1, SHALER 1
34′ — GOAL — MARS LEVELS IT — 1-1
Breese converts on her chance from the spot!
34′ — PENALTY!! Mars’ Jade Breese accelerates into the box and is fouled.
18′ — GOAL — SHALER LEADS 1-0 — Etta Warner is there at the far post after a corner kick from Deliah Arrigo
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⚽ Match 4: Class 1A Boys Championship — BENTWORTH WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT WPIAL TITLE!
No. 1 Bentworth (19-1) vs. No. 3 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (15-5)
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Status: It’s FINAL
Match Updates
FINAL — GOLDEN GOAL!!!! BENTWORTH WINS 2-1 IN SECOND EXTRA TIME
Adam Moessner delivers in the big moment, separating himself from a few defenders in the box, then finding room to drive a well-placed, left-footed strike for yet another game-winning goal (you may recall he hit the goal that clinched the school’s first-ever PIAA Championship last Fall)
Moessner told Pittsburgh Soccer Now after the match: “I knew goalie would be one way, so I went the other way”
END OF 1st OT
Lots of resolute defending on both sides.
END OF REGULATION! — BENTWORTH 1, OLSH 1
Once again we’re going to Extra Time!! These two schools have battled three times now in the Final, and for the second time in three years they’re playing past the 80th minute!
66′ — CHANCE FOR BENTWORTH!! Hollier (we believe) breaking behind OLSH backline is fed a terrific, precise ball from Adam Moessner that carved through the box but hits the side netting. Though most in stands and in the control room prompted a celebration (with the lights at FNB going off like there was a goal).
58′ — SAVE!! OLSH right winger gets behind his defender — gets a close range chance but low shot Issac makes a great diving stop!
HALF — BENTWORTH 1, OLSH 1
16′ — GOAL — BENTWORTH — Garrett Allen gets on the end of a cross from Austin Hollier — as the Bearcats level the match!
7′ — GOAL — OLSH — Caiden Price — composed on the ball with a defender to beat, the freshman winger takes touch with his right, switches to his left (on the left side), then drives a well-place liner inside the near side post. First time OLSH has taken the lead in this series!
1′ — Actual kick-off an hour behind the schedule (6:45).
📌 Match Notes & Historical Context
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Chasing Four-Pack History: Bentworth enters Saturday night chasing immortal WPIAL history. The Bearcats are seeking their fourth consecutive WPIAL Class 1A title (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026). A victory ties them with legendary company: only Peters Township (1985–1988) and Springdale (late 60s/early 70s) have ever managed a four-peat in WPIAL boys soccer history.
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The Final Trilogy: This marks another chapter in a fierce classification rivalry, with Brandon Scott having led OLSH to three consecutive Class 1A finals appearances against Bentworth. Expect the traveling Bentworth contingent from Bentleyville and Ellsworth to pack the stands as their boys chase history under the stadium lights.
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Bentworth (Bearcats):
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Road to the Final: Earned a first-round bye before edging No. 9 Freedom (3-2 in OT) in the quarterfinals and blanking No. 5 Springdale (1-0) in the semifinals.
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Dynasty Pursuit: Making their fourth consecutive WPIAL finals appearance after claiming the last three Class 1A titles. The defending PIAA state champions (won on Adam Moessner’s OT golden goal in 2025) return nine starters this season.
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Dominant Form & Coaching: Head coach Nick Malarbi holds an astounding 85-5 record across four seasons. The Bearcats enter at 19-1, outscoring opponents 140-8 while averaging 7.4 goals per game. Their lone loss was a 2-1 non-section battle against Elizabeth Forward on Sept. 8.
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All-State & All-WPIAL Honorees: Led by junior forward Adam Moessner (All-State & All-WPIAL), who netted the game-winner off a Caden Hackinson assist in the semifinals against Springdale.
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OLSH (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chargers):
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Road to the Final: Earned a first-round bye before topping No. 6 Riverview (5-2) in the quarterfinals and knocking off No. 2 Winchester Thurston (2-1) in the semifinals.
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Championship Rivalry: Making their third straight WPIAL championship appearance—with both previous trips ending in heartbreak against Bentworth (a 3-1 loss in 2025 and a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat following a 0-0 draw in 2024).
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Section Champions & Offense: Earned a share of the Section 1 title at 11-1 while averaging 3.4 goals per game. Hunter Smith powered the semifinal win over Winchester Thurston with a first-half goal and an assist on Isaac Tarbuk’s game-winner.
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All-WPIAL Honorees: Features three all-district selections—senior defender Colby Lane, junior midfielder Wyatt Walsh, and sophomore forward Hunter Smith.
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📌 Match Notes & Historical Context
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Section Familiarity & Coaching History: These two rivals split their section series during the regular season (Shaler winning 2-1 in September, Mars bouncing back with a 5-1 win late in the year). Mars, under legendary coach Blair Gerlach, is an absolute powerhouse with 6 recent WPIAL titles (2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021). Meanwhile, Shaler is completing a magical turnaround under first-year coach Carlo Prati, snapping a 40-year championship match drought to reach the stadium stage for the first time in program history.
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Press Box Watch: Expect the press box and stands to overflow during this match as the South Hills/North Hills media and fan contingents merge for the afternoon peak.
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Mars (Fightin’ Planets):
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Road to the Final: Defeated No. 13 West Allegheny (5-0), No. 5 South Fayette (2-1), and top-seeded Penn-Trafford (1-0 in OT).
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Form & Championship Tradition: Riding an 11-game winning streak following a mid-season setback to Shaler, outscoring opponents 39-3 over that span. Mars has surrendered just 6 total goals all season.
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Program Pedigree: Making their 12th WPIAL championship game appearance under head coach Blair Gerlach. Program history boasts 8 WPIAL crowns, 4 PIAA state titles, and 18 section championships.
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All-WPIAL Honorees: Senior defenders/midfielders Katie Blake and Julia Siket, alongside junior Youngstown State commit Jada Breese (MF) and junior forward Miley Gratton. Gratton netted her 14th goal of the season in the semifinals to knock off No. 1 Penn-Trafford in extra time.
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Shaler (Titans):
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Road to the Final: Defeated No. 15 Thomas Jefferson (2-0), No. 7 Elizabeth Forward (3-0), and No. 6 Plum (2-1 on penalty kicks).
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Section Champions & Head-to-Head: Earned the No. 2 overall seed after capturing the Section 1 title at 9-1. Split their regular-season series with Mars—winning 2-1 on Sept. 21 before dropping a 5-1 decision on Oct. 12.
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Coaching & Semifinal Comeback: Led by first-year Shaler head coach Carlo Prati, who previously directed Fox Chapel to three straight championship game appearances. Trailed Plum in the semifinals before Lillian Trgovic scored with 23 minutes remaining to force extra time. Trgovic, Aven Bianchi, Deliah Arrigo, and Gabby Alcalde all converted from the spot to seal the shootout victory.
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All-WPIAL Honorees: Features five all-district selections—senior forwards Adelayde Paladin and Naudia Zotter, junior defender Deliah Arrigo, junior midfielder Lillian Trgovic, and junior goalkeeper Livia Ryan.
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📌 Boys 2A Match Notes & Historical Context
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The Cinderella vs. The Dynasty: A fascinating matchup on the turf. Belle Vernon pulled off one of the most stunning postseason runs in recent WPIAL history, taking down No. 2 Deer Lakes and No. 3 North Catholic as a No. 10 seed to reach their first-ever modern stadium-era final. Showing the depth of the 20-team Class 2A boys tournament, Belle Vernon has only lost once all season. On the other side stands Quaker Valley—the undisputed kings of the modern era with 3 titles since 2013 across Class 2A and 1A, and 10 WPIAL titles overall.
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Road to the Final:
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Belle Vernon (17-1-2): Defeated No. 7 Beaver (4-2), No. 2 Deer Lakes (2-1 OT), and No. 3 North Catholic (2-0) to reach the WPIAL finals for the first time since 2011.
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Quaker Valley (13-5-2): Defeated Freeport (2-0), Avonworth (1-0 2OT), and Ambridge (3-2 OT) to return to the championship match.
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WPIAL Titles: Belle Vernon 0; Quaker Valley 10 (2021, ’19, ’16, ’12, 1999, ’96, ’93, ’92, ’91, ’85).
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Coaching & Leadership: Sean Ryan leads Quaker Valley after taking over the program in 2024 following six seasons as an assistant (and previous experience with the NY Red Bulls Academy). Meanwhile, Belle Vernon’s Tyler Caterino (former Monessen standout in his second year at the helm) has engineered a historic playoff run for the Leopards.
📌 Girls 3A Match Notes & Historical Context
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Mt. Lebanon (Blue Devils):
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Co-Section Champions: Shared the Section 2 title alongside Peters Township and Canon-McMillan with a 7-1-2 mark.
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Hot Streak: Riding a 9-0-1 unbeaten run since Sept. 21, outscoring opponents 25-3 over that stretch while conceding just 12 total goals on the season.
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All-WPIAL Honorees: Features four All-WPIAL selections—senior midfielder Rebecca Braunsdorf, junior midfielder Ava Silva, junior goalkeeper Makenna Tappe, and sophomore midfielder Scarlett Pryor.
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North Allegheny (Tigers):
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Defending Champions: Making their sixth finals appearance in eight years under 12th-year head coach Chuck Kelly.
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Section Dominance: Rolled to an undefeated Section 3 crown (8-0), with their only two losses all year coming against Cumberland Valley and Peters Township.
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Stingy Defense: Allowed just 10 total goals all season while averaging 2.0 goals per game.
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Semifinal Drama: Advanced via a 2-1 double-overtime thriller over Peters Township, sealed when Kieran Shannon netted her team-high 12th goal of the season off an Addison Vrabel assist with under three minutes remaining in 2OT.
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