Seneca Valley avenges 2015 semifinal defeat

No. 1 Raiders edge Big Macs in quarters, 1-0

On its way to the WPIAL Class AAAA championship a year ago, Canon-McMillan ended Seneca Valley’s aspirations of winning a title with a victory against the Raiders in the semifinals.

The No. 1 Raiders (17-01) exacted their revenge this year, bumping the No. 8 Big Macs (11-8) in the quarterfinals, 1-0.

Senior Matt Happ took advantage of a breakaway chance with six minutes left in the first half for the lone tally of the match. Happ was rewarded for his effort after missing a breakaway earlier in the half.

Senior Dylan Good stopped 11 shots to record his 15th shutout this season.

More Class 4A

North Allegheny 2, Peters Township 0: The No. 6 Tigers (13-2-5) tallied a goal in each half and junior Grant Glorioso recorded the shutout against the No. 3 Indians (13-2-3). Senior James Nolan and junior Nick Williams found the back of the net for the Tigers. North Allegheny shut out Peters Township for the second time this season. The teams tied, 0-0, Sept. 10.

Pine-Richland 3, PennTrafford 1: Sophomore Niko Marsh continued his hot streak in the playoffs, tallying a hat trick to lift the No. 10 Rams (12-5-3) to an upset of the No. 2 Warriors (162). Marsh has four goals in two playoff games, leading the Rams to the semifinals for the first time since the 2012 season.

Class 3A

Montour 1, Hampton 0: Senior Noah Meehan found the back of the net off a corner kick four minutes into the second overtime to lift the No. 1 Spartans (17-2-1) past the No. 8 Talbots (107-3). Junior Brian Duggan recorded six saves for the shutout.

Class 2A

Shady Side Academy 3, Waynesburg 2: After losing in the first round a year ago, the No. 5 Indians (13-2-1) made it into the semifinals with a double-overtime victory against the No. 4 Raiders (15-2). Senior Eric Zhang scored the winner four minutes into the second overtime.

South Park 2, Deer Lakes 1: The No. 1 Eagles (17-2-1) erased a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat the No. 9 Lancers (12-5) and advanced to the semifinals for the 13th time in 15 years under coach Jon Cantwell.

Class 1A

Seton-LaSalle 2, Aquinas Academy 1: The No. 1 Rebels (19-1) and defending WPIAL champions needed double overtime to survive a scare from the No. 8 Crusaders (11-8). Senior Zach-Frank Straub scored the winning goal with 3:47 left off a rebound from the far post.

Sewickley Academy 1, Bentworth 0: Senior Mike Napoleone’s goal with 12 minutes left in the second half stood up to push the No. 3 Panthers (16-4) back into the semifinals. The goal was the second of the playoffs for Napoleone. Senior Derrick Littlefield recorded the shutout against the No. 6 Bearcats (15-4-1).

Cardinal Wuerl. North Catholic 2, Eden Christian 0: The No. 4 Trojans (17-2-1) used two second-half goals to advance to the semifinals for the first time in school history against the No. 12 Warriors (12-7). Sophomore Nathan Paras recorded the shutout.