Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) saw four schools capture titles at the WPIAL/UPMC Sports Medicine Boys’ Soccer Championships from Nov. 5-Nov. 7 at FNB Stadium.
Seneca Valley returns to the top of the 4A class after falling in penalty kicks to Fox Chapel in last year’s championship match. The Raiders now have five WPIAL titles and secured their first championship win since 2021.
Franklin Regional found gold in the championships for the first time since 2019, returning to the top of Class 3A after finishing as the runner-up the previous two years.
Belle Vernon is the first #10 seed or higher to win a boys’ soccer title since 2018 (Quaker Valley).
Bentworth ran the table in Class 1A, capturing its fourth consecutive WPIAL title. With the victory, the Bearcats joined South Fayette, Springdale, and Peters Township as just the fourth boys soccer program in district history to win at least four championships in a row.
Class 4A Boys
Second-seeded Seneca Valley captured the WPIAL Class 4A boys’ soccer championship, edging fifth-seeded North Allegheny, 1–0, at FNB Stadium.
The game’s lone goal came early in the 1st minute when Zach White found the back of the net off an assist from Jacob Prex to put the Raiders ahead to stay. Seneca Valley goalkeeper Kyle DeMaster preserved the shutout with 4 saves, while North Allegheny goalkeeper Jaxon Cowger recorded 6 saves in a hard-fought defensive effort.
Seneca Valley advanced to the championship game by receiving a first-round bye, defeating No. 7 Pine-Richland 2–1 in extra time in the quarterfinals, and upending No. 6 Fox Chapel 2–1 in the semifinals. Fifth-seeded North Allegheny earned their way to the title match with a 2–1 victory over No. 12 Gateway in the first round, a 3–0 win against No. 4 Mt. Lebanon in the quarterfinals, and a 1–0 shutout over top-seeded Norwin in the semifinals.
Class 3A Boys
Second-seeded Franklin Regional captured the WPIAL Class 3A boys’ soccer championship, edging top-seeded Plum, 1–0, at FNB Stadium.
Following a scoreless first half, the game’s lone goal came in the 60th minute when Ian Johns found the back of the net off an assist from Thomas Bridges to put the Panthers ahead. Franklin Regional goalkeeper Ethan Terek preserved the shutout with 1 save, while Plum goalkeeper Chase Eber recorded 3 saves in a hard-fought defensive effort.
Franklin Regional advanced to the championship game by defeating Shaler 2–1 in the first round, Mars 3–0 in the quarterfinals, and West Allegheny 3–2 in the semifinals. Top-seeded Plum earned their way to the title match with a 5–0 victory over Laurel Highlands in round one, a 2–0 win against Hampton in the quarterfinals, and a 2–0 shutout over Trinity in the semifinals.
Class 2A Boys'
Tenth-seeded Belle Vernon captured the WPIAL Class 2A boys’ soccer championship, edging ninth-seeded Quaker Valley, 1–0 in double overtime, at FNB Stadium.
Following a scoreless regulation and first extra period, the game’s lone goal came in the 103rd minute (second overtime) when Jordan Jerome found the back of the net off an assist from Gavin Metzger to put the Leopards ahead for good. Belle Vernon goalkeeper Morgan Bunch preserved the shutout with 6 saves, while Quaker Valley goalkeeper Julien Tiesse recorded 4 saves in a hard-fought defensive battle.
Belle Vernon advanced to the championship game by defeating No. 7 Beaver 4–2 in the first round, No. 2 Deer Lakes 2–0 in the quarterfinals, and No. 3 North Catholic 1–0 in double overtime in the semifinals. Ninth-seeded Quaker Valley earned their way to the title match with a 1–0 win in double overtime against No. 8 Freeport in the first round, a 2–0 victory over top-seeded Avonworth in the quarterfinals, and a 2–1 win in extra time against No. 13 Ambridge in the semifinals.
Class 1A Boys
Top-seeded Bentworth captured the WPIAL Class 1A boys’ soccer championship, edging third-seeded OLSH, 2–1 in double overtime, at FNB Stadium.
Following a tied first half that saw Caiden Price strike first for OLSH in the 7th minute off an assist from Aaron Callahan before Garrett Allen answered for Bentworth in the 16th minute assisted by Austin Hollier, the match remained deadlocked through regulation and the first extra period. The game-winning goal came in the 101st minute (second overtime) when Adam Moessner found the back of the net unassisted to put the Bearcats ahead for good. Bentworth goalkeeper Issac Vipperman preserved the victory with 1 save, while OLSH goalkeeper Jack Dewhirst recorded 10 saves in a hard-fought defensive battle.
Bentworth advanced to the championship game by receiving a first-round bye and defeating No. 9 Freedom Area 3-2 (OT) in the quarterfinals, and No. 5 Springdale 1–0 in the semifinals. Third-seeded OLSH earned their way to the title match with a first-round bye, a 5–2 victory over No. 6 Riverview in the quarterfinals, and a 3–1 win against No. 2 Winchester Thurston in the semifinals.