WPIAL Boys Soccer Class 3A Quarterfinal Round: Match Capsules
October 25, 2023

File photo courtesy Ed Thompson

They’re now down to the final eight teams in WPIAL Soccer Boys Class 3A tournament.

All matches in Boys Class 3A on Wednesday will kick off at 7 p.m.

Here’s a match-by-match overview of what we might expect as the tournament heats up, plus the up-to-date schedule and bracket below.

WPIAL Soccer Boys Class 3A Quarterfinal Round Match Capsules

Kickoff: 7:00pm

at Hampton

# 7 Thomas Jefferson (16-2-1) at #2 Hampton (15-2-1)

How they got here:

TJ defeated North Catholic, 1-0 with an extra time winner coming from Ray Schrello;

Hampton also needed Extra Time to defeat Trinity, 1-0, as Coleman Docherty scored the game-winner

Players to Watch: 

T.J. — Brayden Miller (24 goals and four assists) was co-section player of the year.

Hampton — Luke Fiscus – through the regular season finale scored 32 goals, and had the assist on the playoff game-winner.

Kickoff: 7:00pm

at Plum

#8 South Fayette (11-4-3) at #1 Plum (18-1-0) 

How they got here:

Plum beat Chartiers Valley, 5-1, as Brady French had two goals; South Fayette defeated Plum’s section rival, Latrobe, 4-0

Players to Watch:

Plum — Tristen Ralph led the Mustangs with 11 goals and 10 assists during the regular season, and when called upon, also dropped to the back line, as a center back.

South Fayette — Michael Plasko — was a force on Saturday as he scored all four goals in the Lions’ 4-0 win vs Latrobe. Also, goalkeeper Dylan Janoski, who plays for the Riverhounds Development Academy, had the clean sheet.

More on this match-up… 

South Fayette punished Latrobe on set pieces and in the air, and will hope to do the same against a Plum side that likes to possess the ball.  The two schools have met multiple times in the playoffs in recent years, with Plum winning last year’s encounter, 2-1, in Extra Time.

They Said It:

Plum Head Coach Raf Kolankowski on playing Chartiers Valley and now South Fayette:  “It looks like we have to go through that section (Class 3A Section 2) if we want to make it through to the final.”

“Well, here we meet again, playing South Fayette 3rd time in 4 years. Last year we played three teams from that section and if we make it to Semi again it look like it will be the same situation. South Fayette is a very good team and they create problems for us. Last year we beat them in a shootout and they have most of their guys back so it will be a monumental feat for us to compete with them. They are very well coached and Rob does a great job with them.”

Kickoff: 7:00pm

at Montour

# 13 Indiana (6-10-1) at #5 Montour (14-4-0) 

How they got here:

Indiana pulled off what is probably the upset of the WPIAL soccer playoffs to this point, defeating No. 4 Bethel Park, in a penalty kick shootout (0-0, 4-1 in PKs); Montour took care of Gateway, in impressive fashion, rolling to a 5-0 win.

Players to Watch:

Indiana – Under pressure, Goalkeeper Alex Bauer earned the clean sheet against Bethel Park — plus helped his team to victory in the PK shootout.

Montour — Jaxson Camp led the Spartans with 14 goals during the regular season, but it was Andrew Prunier who had the hat trick on Saturday to bring his total to 16 for the season and playoffs.

Kickoff: 7:00pm

at Moon

Note: PSN’s Matthew Baldwin will be on site for coverage of this match. 

#11 Franklin Regional (11-7-0) vs #3 Moon (15-3-1)

How they got here:

Moon and Franklin Regional both rolled to 4-0 wins on Saturday.  The defending 3A Champs, Moon, topped Ringgold, while Franklin Regional stunned No. 6 Mars.

Players to Watch:

Moon – Mike Walenchok.  The senior midfielder scored 22 goals during the regular season to lead the Tigers.  Aedan Costa added 12 goals plus

Franklin Regional:  Joey Bayne scored twice for the Panthers on Saturday, while Danny Christafano led the team in goals during the regular season.

They said it: 

Moon HC Tyler Blake: “Had 47 man games lost to starters this season. We’ve got them all back and playing Ringgold (in first round of playoffs) was the 2nd time all season we’ve had everyone at our disposal so we’re pleased with health right now, at the right time!

First Round Results (Oct. 21) 

Trinity vs Hampton 0-1   ET
Ringgold vs Moon 0-4
North Catholic vs Thomas Jefferson 0-1   ET
Latrobe vs South Fayette 0-4
Indiana vs Bethel Park 1-0
Gateway vs Montour 0-5
Franklin Regional vs Mars 4-0
Chartiers Valley vs Plum 1-5

Semifinal Round (Monday, Oct. 30) 

Plum/South Fayette winner vs Indiana/Montour winner

Hampton/Thomas Jefferson winner vs Moon/Franklin Regional winner

Final (TBA @Highmark Stadium) 

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Source: https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2023/10/25/wpial-boys-soccer-class-3a-quarterfinal-round-match-capsules/

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