South Fayette stuns Oakland Catholic

Oakland Catholic learned the hard way that it isn’t how you start, but how you finish.

The No. 3-seeded Eagles (15-3-1) lost three of their final five games, including their WPIAL Class 3A playoff opener to No. 14 South Fayette, 2-0.

Both of the Lions’ goals were scored in the second half by juniors Brenna McGuire and Lexie Keeling.

The Lions (10-7-2) were able to shut down the Eagles top goal scorer, senior Essence Canady, who finished the season with 28 goals. This was the first match this season Oakland Catholic was shut out.

Other games

Mt. Lebanon 3, Plum 2: The No. 11 Blue Devils (9-7-2) held off a furious rally from the Mustangs (11-7-1) to hold on for a 4A upset. Senior Emma Cusick had two goals and an assist.

Pine-Richland 2, Kiski Area 1: Caroline Swan’s goal with 4:45 remaining in the game completed the comeback for the No. 5 Rams (134-2) in 4A. Becca Libby tied it, 1-1. The Cavaliers (8-7-3) led, 1-0, at halftime.

Charleroi 3, Burrell 2:

Junior Kaitlyn Riley scored two goals, including the winner, and added an assist to lift the No. 11 Cougars (11-6) past No. 6 Buccaneers (107) in Class 2A. Charleroi was the 1A runner-up a year ago.

Avonworth 1, Derry 0: The No. 8 Antelopes (12-61) survived, 3-1, on penalty kicks in their 2A first-round victory against No. 9. Trojans (10-6-1). Anna Milbert had 21 saves for Avonworth.

Yough 2, Quaker Valley 0: The No. 7 Cougars (116) tallied a goal in each half and senior Ashlynn Swauger recorded the shutout to defeat the No. 10 Quakers (88-1) in 2A. Valley 3, Beaver 1: The No. 12 Vikings (9-8-2) scored three goals in the second half over the No. 5 Bobcats (12-6) to pick up their first playoff win in program history in 2A.

Greensburg C.C. 5, Sewickley Academy 0: Bailey Cartwright’s hat trick led the 1A top-seeded Centurions (17-1) to an easy first-round shutout against the No. 16 Panthers (6-10-3).

South Side Beaver 3, Mohawk 2: The No. 10 Rams (11-7-1) picked up their first playoff win in school history against the Warriors (12-5) in 1A. Hannah Knox led the way with two goals.

PIAA golf

After the first round, the PIAA championships look eerily similar to the WPIALs. In boys Class 2A, Sewickley Academy’s Jason Li holds a two-shot lead after shooting a 1-over 72.

In Class 3A, Latrobe’s Brady Pavernik is still in the hunt, sitting in third place and only four shots back.

On the girls side, Greensburg Central Catholic’s Olivia

Zambruno has a commanding six-shot lead in 2A after shooting a 1-over 72. Peters Township’s Mia

Kness is tied for first after shooting an even-par 72 in Class 3A.