Undefeated Riverview, Springdale collide in latest chapter of girls soccer rivalry

By: Michael Love
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | 8:01 PM

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When last the Riverview and Springdale girls soccer teams met, the Raiders outlasted the Dynamos in a PIAA Class A quarterfinal classic at Plum en route to the state title game in Mechanicsburg.

The win for Riverview completed a three-game season sweep.

Coming back this season, a goal of the Dynamos is to turn around their fortunes against their cross-river rivals.

They will get that chance Wednesday.

At the same time, Riverview hopes to continue its control of the series when the teams meet for the first time this season at Springdale. Opening kick is at 7 p.m.

“We’re definitely excited to play them again,” Springdale coach Marc Bentley said. “We had three really good battles against them last year. We both have a lot of girls back from last year, so these teams know each other well. We’ve both added some quality players who know about the Springdale-Riverview rivalry. Both teams have a lot of motivation. We want to stay at the top of the section and get ahead in the season series.”

Springdale and Riverview sport identical 4-0 overall marks. The Raiders (4-0) are a half-game ahead of the Dynamos (3-0) in the Section 4-A standings.

“The goal at the beginning of the season was to pick up where we left off last year and roll through the best we can,” Riverview coach Sean Abraham said. “We lost a couple of really good players, and I know they lost a few, but it’s a lot of same lineups for both teams. We just have to go in and play our game with the best game plan we have and see where it goes.”

The Raiders and Dynamos defenses have allowed just two goals combined in the eight games. Springdale has outscored its four opponents, 27-2, while Riverview owns a 10-0 goal advantage.

“It’s shaping up to be that defensive battle where you look hard for your opportunities,” Abraham said. “Neither team can waste good scoring chances. It will be interesting to see how it develops.”

Springdale surrendered a goal in its opener against Ellis School, but it was not threatened in a 9-1 victory.

The Dynamos then scored a 10-0 win over Apollo-Ridge and a 4-0 triumph against section newcomer Winchester Thurston.

“We’ve been moving the ball really well in games and taking advantage of the work in the offseason to be conditioned,” Bentley said. “We came into this season more fit, and it’s allowed us to play good soccer.”

Springdale stayed undefeated Monday with a 4-1 nonsection win over Eden Christian.

“Eden is a really good team, and it was a nice test for us,” Bentley said. “They were quick, strong and physical. They are going to surprise a lot of people.”

The Dynamos scored quickly, taking a 1-0 lead in the first five minutes on a goal from senior standout Bri Ross.

Ross added her second of the game and the 100th of her career about 15 minutes later to make it 2-0.

“That was a really nice moment for her and for everyone to celebrate,” Bentley said.

She finished with all four goals as Springdale led 3-1 at halftime before finishing off the win over the final 40 minutes.

Ross leads the way in the early season with 12 goals to go along with six assists.

Molly Hurley, Carissa Walsh, Tessa Derringer and Ainsley Wade each own three goals for the Dynamos.

Riverview also set itself up for the clash of Class A section rivals with Monday’s 1-0 win over Winchester Thurston.

The Raiders defense — Katerina Tsambis, Juliette Brun, Catie Hoolahan, Emma Battaline and Molly Morrissey, with Chiara Brun in net — recorded its fourth shutout in as many games.

It set up the offense where only one goal was needed. That goal came just over midway through the second half from Cailey Trosch off an assist from Isabel Chaparro.

Junior Alix Delsault scored her first two varsity goals in Riverview’s season-opening 3-0 win over Greensburg Central Catholic on Aug. 26. She added her team-leading third in the Raiders’ 4-0 section win over Apollo-Ridge last week.

Juliette Brun, Tsambis and Lyla Flanick added goals in the win over the Vikings, and Hannah Hudack tallied a pair of assists.

“We came into that game pretty strong minded,” Abraham said. “We knew we had to take care of the ball and eliminate as many mistakes as possible. Winchester is a good team to where they can take full advantage of one wrong move or miscue. We did a nice job of taking advantage of the scoring opportunity when it presented itself. It came down to putting persistence on it and following up on shots.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Riverview, Springdale