What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Sept. 3, 2024: Section soccer matches on tap

By: Don Rebel
Monday, September 2, 2024 | 6:41 PM

With picnics and holiday summer weekend in the past, it’s time to labor again for the first time in September on the WPIAL pitches and courts.

Most of the boys and girls district soccer Tuesday will be nonsection with the exception of four matches.

On the boys side, Penn-Trafford (1-1) looks to even its Section 3-3A record when it visits Cupples Stadium in Pittsburgh to face Allderdice (2-1).

The Warriors lost their only section game to Franklin Regional last week, while the Dragons were winners in their only section contest thus far, shutting out West Mifflin.

In Section 4-3A, first-place Montour will host Ambridge.

The Spartans are 2-0 atop the section and 4-0 overall. The Bridgers have only played once, losing their section opener last week to West Allegheny.

In girls section soccer Tuesday, both matches are openers in Section 3-3A.

South Fayette has split its first four matches this season, beating West Allegheny and Avonworth while falling to Peters Township and Bethel Park.

The Lions open up section play by visiting Oakland Catholic. The Eagles lost both matches they’ve played.

The other match is for bragging right in Fayette County as Uniontown visits Albert Gallatin.

The Red Raiders are 1-1 this season while the Colonials search for their first victory at 0-2.

Volleyball first serves

Section play begins in two of the four classifications in district girls volleyball Tuesday.

In Section 1-3A, two teams that were seeded in the top 10 of the 3A playoffs a year ago square off in a section opener as Montour hosts Trinity.

Both the Spartans and Hillers reached the district quarterfinals before losing to the two finalists in 2023, champion Hampton and runner-up North Catholic.

Two WPIAL teams that qualified for the PIAA playoffs last season will eventually collide in Section 1-2A, but for now, they prepare to open up section play.

Avonworth, which lost to 2A runner-up Freeport in the WPIAL semifinals, will host rival Northgate, while Quaker Valley, which fell to eventual district champion Beaver in the 2023 final four, visits Hopewell is a section opener.

‘Four’ a share of first

The WPIAL boys golf team season is now into the second half of the section schedule.

In Section 4-3A, defending WPIAL champion Central Catholic is in a three-way battle for first place, currently tied in the loss column with both Plum and Franklin Regional.

Those two teams square off on Tuesday.

The Mustangs are 4-1 in section matches while the Panthers are 3-1.

Tee time for Franklin Regional against Plum at the Willowbrook Golf Club is set for 3:30 p.m.

Tags: Albert Gallatin, Allderdice, Ambridge, Avonworth, Bethel Park, Central Catholic, Franklin Regional, Hopewell, Montour, Northgate, Oakland Catholic, Penn-Trafford, Peters Township, Plum, Quaker Valley, South Fayette, Trinity, Uniontown, West Allegheny