Girls’ Soccer: Class 4A WPIAL Quarterfinal Preview
The WPIAL girls’ soccer quarterfinals will take place tonight, with three of the four match-ups pitting section rivals against each other. Below are the previews of each game.
Pine-Richland (16-1-1) vs. North Allegheny (11-6-1) At Hampton (8 p.m.)
The Rams are coming in as the heavy favorite as the No. 1 seed and one of the top offenses in the WPIAL. They easily dispatched of Connellsville in the first round 3-0. The Tigers were up-and-down all season, but coming off one of their best efforts in a 5-1 win at Plum in the first round. During the regular season, the Rams defeated the Tigers 4-2 on the road in the first matchup of the season. The Tigers were able to fight to a 2-2 draw in the second matchup of the season.
Norwin (15-1) vs. Kiski Area (11-6) At Penn-Trafford (8 p.m.)
Once the top-ranked team in the country by topdrawersoccer.com, everyone expected Norwin to be in the quarterfinals. In a rematch of last year’s WPIAL championship, the Knights defeated Canon-McMillan 6-1 in the first round. Kiski Area upset Mt. Lebanon on the road, 2-1, in the first round to set up the third matchup of the season between the squads. The Knights defeated the Cavaliers 5-0 in the first meeting and 4-2 in the second.
Penn-Trafford (14-3) vs. Fox Chapel (13-5-1) At Norwin (8 p.m.)
The Warriors and Foxes are the lone matchup that is not a section matchup, but it is one that will feature two section winners. Penn-Trafford beat out Norwin in Section 4, earning the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. The Warriors made easy work of Penn Hills in the first round with a 6-1 win. The Foxes had a little bit harder time in the first time, defeating Butler 2-1 in a shootout. Fox Chapel will come into the came with more confidence though, as they defeated Penn-Trafford 2-1 on the road in the second to last game of the regular season.
Peters Township (15-3) vs. Upper St. Clair (10-5-2)
The final quarterfinal matchup will showcase the No. 1 team in Section 2 in Peters Township and No. 3 in Upper St. Clair. Both teams recorded shutouts in the first round. The Indians also had an offensive outburst, defeating Allderdice 6-0. The Panthers advanced with a 2-0 road win against Seneca Valley. The rivals split the regular season series, with both teams winning on the road. Peters Township won the first matchup 1-0 on Sept. 20, while the Panthers returned the favor with a 2-1 win on Oct. 9.
For a look at the updated bracket, click on the link below.