Peters Township girls win PIAA soccer opener
Peters Township opened PIAA soccer tournament action with a victory against McDowell, 2-0.
In the first-round match played Nov. 8 in Erie, seniors Brooke Opferman and Bella Spergel scored goals for the Indians.
Addie Pirosko contributed an assist and Molly Kubistek recorded the shutout in the nets.
The victory came on the heels of several PT players learning that they had earned all-section honors.
In addition to Opferman, Camryn Klein, Lexi Pirosko, Christina Sefer and Ella Neupaver garnered the distinction for helping the Indians to a runner-up showing in Class 4A Section 2.
With the win against McDowell, PT improved to 15-2-3 overall and advanced to a state quarterfinal match against Owen J. Roberts (18-6), which upset Mannheim Township (20-1) in its first-round match, 1-0.
A victory on Nov. 12 coupled with a North Allegheny win against Central Dauphin would set up a rematch of the WPIAL final. The Indians lost in a shootout to the Tigers in that Class 4A championship contest played Nov. 5 at Highmark Stadium.
In addition to the PT all-stars, several other area athletes garnered all-section acclaim.
From Bethel Park were: seniors Eva Blatz, Meghan Tischler and Kristen Horgan as well as sophomores Freya Blatz and Grace Ferency and freshman Callee Dalbon.
From Mt. Lebanon were: Melia Peer, Ava Dziubek, Leah Kessler, Baylee Welling and Rachel Masteller. The seniors led the Blue Devils to the section banner with a 12-2 slate. Lebo finished with a 16-3-1 record with all three losses coming against Peters Township.
From Upper St. Clair were: seniors Sam Prunzik and Macie Fultineer; junior Maeryn Mannix; sophomore Ellie Shanholtzer and freshman Sierra Dupre. The Panthers finished third in the division with a 9-5 record and qualified for the playoffs before finishing with a 10-7 overall mark.
In Class 3A, two Chartiers Valley and five South Fayette players earned Section 4 recognition.
From CV were juniors Zoe Fries and Rhiannon Molnar.
From SF were seniors Rachel Black, Anna Hertzler and Ella Gagliardino as well as juniors Olivia Renk and Anna Fraps.
The WPIAL will announce its all-league selections the week of Nov. 14.