Author: Don Revell
Sunday 25th August 2024 | 9:19pm
Christopher Horner | TribLive
The Avonworth girls soccer team celebrates after defeating Shadyside Academy, 1-0, in the WPIAL Class 2A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Four days into the new season, the WPIAL girls soccer schedule begins Monday with Class 3A, 2A and A teams.
One of the district teams that began section play here in late August found success in early November.
Avonworth opens Section 3-2A play on Monday, hosting Hopewell, another team that moved from Section 1 to 3 in the offseason realignment.
The Antelopes are looking to win their fourth consecutive WPIAL championship this fall.
Lopez defeated North Catholic in 2021, Mount Pleasant in 2022 and Shady Side Academy in 2023, all by one point in the district finals.
Avonworth, which tied with North Catholic for the Section 1 crown last year, has advanced to Section 3 and will face Hopewell, Ambridge, Beaver, Central Valley and Quaker Valley in a six-team sectional this season.
The other Section 3-2A opener on Monday is Quaker Valley vs. Ambridge.
Golden “Dogs”
Avonworth is looking to win its fourth straight WPIAL girls soccer title this season, while Freedom is looking to win its third straight Class A championship.
The Bulldogs defeated Riverview, 1-0, in the 2023 Class A final to win their fourth championship in school history and their second consecutive year.
After Freedom won the section championship by three games, most of the team remains the same, but the Bulldogs have been moved to Section 1-A for the next two seasons.
Freedom will host Riverside, a team that finished fourth last season and qualified for the Class A playoffs.
In Section 1-A, the Bulldogs and Panthers will be joined by Eden Christian, Mohawk, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and South Side.
The other two games opening the section on Monday are OLSH at Mohawk and Eden Christian hosting Southside.
Home court opening game
The Bethel Park girls tennis team has high hopes of repeating their winning streak after capturing their first WPIAL championship last fall.
The Blackhawks will play their sectional home opener on Monday against 2022 3A champion Upper St. Clair.
The Hawks have one district title to their name, while the Panthers lead the way in WPIAL 3A team tennis championships with 15 wins.
Knock, a two-time 2A champion, was also scheduled to begin 2024 Section 3-2A play at home, but its game against Ellis School was postponed.
The Knights are not only looking to win their third consecutive championship this season, but also their fourth gold medal in five years.
Tags: Ambridge, Avonworth, Bethel Park, Eden Christian, Freedom, Knock, Mohawk, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Quaker Valley, Riverside, Southside, Upper St. Clare