What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Aug. 28, 2023: Section play begins for girls soccer

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, August 27, 2023 | 10:03 PM

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Welcome to the start of section soccer action.

A new season of action on the pitch began this past weekend with some tournament and nonsection matches for most teams.

On Monday, section play begins in WPIAL girls soccer.

Two defending champs open up section play at home.

In Section 1-4A, North Allegheny hosts Shaler at 7:30 p.m.

In Section 4-3A, Moon welcomes Trinity at 7:30 p.m.

While Class A champion Freedom is off, runner-up Springdale visits Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in a nonsection match.

Final four rematch

Reigning WPIAL 2A champion Avonworth is also home in their section opener as they face a familiar foe in North Catholic.

North Catholic was the top seed in the 2A playoffs a year ago, and Avonworth was No. 5.

The Trojans beat Valley and Beaver to advance to the final four, and the Antelopes knocked off Keystone Oaks and Hopewell to reach the semifinals.

With a spot in the finals at stake, Avonworth edged North Catholic, 2-1.

The Antelopes would win their second straight district title by beating Mt. Pleasant, 2-1, in the finals.

Monday’s game is set for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Old rivals look to bounce back

Between 2002 and 2011, Seton LaSalle and Greensburg Central Catholic dominated the district boys soccer scene in Class A.

The Rebels captured gold five times in that span, and the Centurions won three championships.

Since then, Seton LaSalle won again in 2015, and GCC captured gold in 2019 and 2020.

Last fall, these postseason rivals were on the same side of the bracket. Top seed Greensburg Central Catholic lost to Charleroi in the quarterfinals, and Seton LaSalle was knocked off by Eden Christian Academy in the second round.

The Rebels host the Centurions in an early-season nonsection boys soccer showdown Monday.

Tags: Avonworth, Greensburg C.C., Moon, North Allegheny, North Catholic, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Seton La Salle, Shaler, Springdale, Trinity