What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Oct. 11, 2023: Crunch time for girls soccer playoff hopefuls

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 12:19 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Win and you’re in.

Those four words mean a lot is at stake in a particular contest.

That will be the case for two WPIAL girls soccer teams as the playoffs essentially begin early for McGuffey and West Mifflin.

South Park (9-0), Shady Side Academy (7-2) and Keystone Oaks (5-3-1) have all clinched postseason berths in Section 4-2A.

The final playoff spot will be determined when the Highlanders visit the Titans in the final section game for both schools.

McGuffey is 2-6-1 while West Mifflin is 3-6. The winner finishes in fourth place and earns a playoff spot.

If the two teams tie, West Mifflin would finish ahead of McGuffey and qualify for late October soccer.

The Titans beat the host Highlanders in their first meeting this season 3-1 on Sept. 20.

Sealing the deal

The WPIAL girls soccer playoff picture is nearly complete with only a handful of spots still up for grabs.

Three more pieces of the postseason puzzle may fit into place Wednesday.

In Section 2-3A, Laurel Highlands (6-6) can clinch a spot with a victory at Ringgold (4-7-1). The host Rams are in must-win mode.

In Section 1-2A, Beaver (5-4-1) earns a berth in the postseason if it wins at Quaker Valley (6-3-1), a team that has already clinched. Bobcats are also in with a Central Valley (4-6) loss at North Catholic (9-1).

In Section 1-A, Seton LaSalle (4-6) is in with a win at Serra Catholic (3-7).

Team tennis 3A quarters

With no big upsets in the first round of the 2023 WPIAL Class 3A girls team tennis playoffs, the quarterfinals are set for Wednesday.

The top seven seeds all won and advanced in the opening round, while No. 9 Upper St. Clair knocked off No. 8 Penn-Trafford, 4-1.

The seven other first-round winners all advanced convincingly with scores of either 5-0 or 4-1.

The championships are set for the Janet L. Swanson Tennis Center at Washington & Jefferson College on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

All four quarterfinals matches are set for Wednesday at 3 p.m.

• No. 9 Upper St. Clair Panthers at No. 1 Bethel Park Black Hawks

• No. 5 Fox Chapel Foxes at No. 4 Shady Side Academy Bulldogs

• No. 6 Franklin Regional Panthers at No. 3 Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils

• No. 7 Pine-Richland Rams at No. 2 North Allegheny Tigers