South Fayette shuts out Fox Chapel to defend WPIAL Class 3A girls soccer title

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, November 2, 2024 | 6:25 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Junior forward Mia Deramo wants to give everyone around Western Pennsylvania a reason to discuss the South Fayette girls soccer program. The Lions delivered another emphatic statement about their proper place on the district’s stage with a 4-0 win over Fox Chapel in the WPIAL Class 3A championship Saturday at Highmark Stadium.

Deramo, who delivered a double-overtime winner to help the Lions earn their first title last year, scored twice to help South Fayette dethrone the defending Class 4A champion Foxes and collect a second championship.

“It feels amazing because last year was the first time,” Deramo said. “We can’t wait to get here and start something strong to get our program talked about. We have a great community behind us. At South Fayette, everyone is here. We have so much support. Coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, student section and parents are all here.”

The Lions (19-3) have earned their first two championships with style points. South Fayette prevented Moon from repeating as champion last season, and the Lions prevented Fox Chapel from repeating after dropping in classification.

South Fayette coach Nicolas Rosser said the Lions enjoy these challenges.

“The girls like to compete,” Rosser said. “They like to have some type of pressure on them. They handle it well.”

South Fayette will play District 9 champion DuBois in the first round of the PIAA playoffs Tuesday night at a time and site to be determined, and the Foxes will open the state playoffs against Hollidaysburg.

South Fayette beat Fox Chapel, 2-1, in the regular-season finale. Foxes coach Carlo Prati said the rematch was a different style of game.

“This was a little more physical than the first meeting,” Prati said. “I thought we played better the first time we played them. It was an off night for us.”

South Fayette pounced on the top-seeded Foxes (18-3-1). Deramo scored 11 minutes into the match by collecting a long rebound and putting a shot into the net from about 7 yards.

Gabby Beinecke doubled South Fayette’s lead in the 32nd minute. She collected a ball at the top of the box and slid it into the back of the net.

“They kept pushing forward, and they got frantic,” Deramo said. “That kind of helped us. They were making little mistakes, and we were able to pick them off and keep going.”

The Foxes finished with a 6-4 edge in shots on target. Caitlyn Thompson made six saves for the Lions.

Fox Chapel didn’t get many cleans look at the net. The Lions made sure to capitalize on every look they got.

Emma Ferrari scored in the 53rd minute to stretch the lead to 3-0. Deramo closed the scoring by converting a penalty kick in the 65th minute.

Rosser said Deramo is one of the many players on his team he can count on in big spots.

“She eats this stuff up,” Rosser said. “They like to compete. They want this level, and they like to play at this level. You can see they take to it all the time.”

Tags: Fox Chapel, South Fayette