What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Aug. 29, 2023: Boys soccer section play commences

By: Don Rebel
Monday, August 28, 2023 | 11:17 PM

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On Monday, it was the girls’ turn to open up section play on a new soccer season. Now on Tuesday, the boys hit the pitch for section openers.

All four 2022 WPIAL boys soccer champions are in action Tuesday.

In Class 4A, defending champion Pine-Richland visits Butler in Section 1-4A. This is a rematch of a 2022 semifinal won by the Rams, 1-0.

In 3A, last year’s winner, Moon, is also on the road as it opens up Section 2-3A play at Blackhawk.

Deer Lakes is the only defending champion to begin section play at home as the Lancers host Knoch in a Section 2-2A opener.

Finally in a Section 3-A lid lifter, two-time defending champion Winchester Thurston visits Aquinas Academy.

More success on the pitch?

There are five WPIAL boys soccer matches Tuesday pitting teams that at least reached the second round of the district postseason last fall.

Seneca Valley visits Fox Chapel in a Class 4A semifinal rematch from 2022. The Raiders edged the Foxes, 3-2, to earn a spot in the WPIAL title match.

In Class 3A, Ambridge hosts Montour in Section 2 while Thomas Jefferson visits Bethel Park in Section 3.

Ambridge and Montour both reached the 3A semifinals a year ago where the Bridgers beat Plum while the Spartans lost to Moon. Ambridge fell to Moon in the title match.

Quaker Valley visits Beaver in a Section 4-2A opener. Last fall, these two met in the WPIAL semifinals where the Bobcats stunned the Quakers, 1-0. Beaver lost to Deer Lakes in the district finals.

Finally, Sewickley Academy visits Eden Christian Academy. A year ago, the teams reached the Class A final four with both teams coming up short of the title match. The Panthers lost to eventual champion Winchester Thurston while the Warriors fell to Charleroi.

Swinging for first

While the high school football and soccer season are just underway, the district golf season is nearing the midway point of section matches.

On Tuesday, two of the top girls golf teams collide when defending 3A champion Peters Township visits Upper St. Clair at St. Clair Country Club.

The Indians have won the district team title in two of the last three years, while the Panthers brought home gold in 2019.

Tags: Ambridge, Aquinas Academy, Beaver, Blackhawk, Butler, Deer Lakes, Eden Christian, Fox Chapel, Knoch, Montour, Moon, Peters Township, Pine-Richland, Quaker Valley, Seneca Valley, Sewickley Academy, Upper St. Clair, Winchester Thurston