Both the boys and girls soccer teams at Avonworth have advanced to the quarterfinals in the WPIAL playoffs. The boys soccer team defeated Mcguffey 4-0 while the girls soccer team defeated Yough 11-0. These are very promising scores for both teams on further advancing in the WPIAL playoffs. They are both looking to win the WPIAL championship this year. For the boys, it would be the first WPIAL championship since 2018. For the girls it would be the third WPIAL championship in a row.
Two back to back goals by Rowan Carmichael assisted by Abdul Basit and captain Eli Wahlen put the Antelopes up 2-0 early. Abdul Basit later finished a corner from Calder Mahan to put them up 3-0 at half. Nathan Kline scored the last goal off a cross from Rowan Charmichael to defeat mcguffey 4-0 . Freshman Calder Mahan gave a quick quote on the practices and how it prepared him for his first playoff game. “ They taught me not to complain to the refs and be a team.” Despite not being able to play this year due to an injury, Sophomore Ethan Szakelyhidi said the team chemistry was “Off the charts and a super fun team to be around”. The Lopes move on to the Semi Finals vs Belle Vernon Thursday Night at 7 pm.
The girls soccer team dominated their first-round matchup beating 16-seeded Yough 11-0 in the first game trying to defend their two WPIAL championships, and looking for a three-peat. Junior and Alabama commit Fiona Mahan led the team with a hat trick scoring three goals as well as having three assists. Seniors Gianna Babusci and Emma Luther each had two goals, as Babusci had three assists, and Luther contributed with two. Caroline Sweeny, Sam Cabrera, and Katie Petrina all each had a goal as well, while freshman Megan Oberstiener chipped in with a lone assist.
However, the Lopes have a tougher matchup in the 9-seeded Quaker Valley Quakers in a weekend matchup at 1pm on saturday. Morehead State commit and senior captain Minah Saym was asked about her leadership role: “It’s different, but you just have to do it because they need help.” Gianna Babusci was asked about the pressure of being back-to-back champions and having high expectations. “We definitely feel pressure, especially because we are the one seed, and went back to back. Everyone is looking at us, and there are a bunch of articles about us, but we beat the teams already, so we will be fine.”
The Avonworth soccer teams, both male and female, have progressed to the WPIAL playoff quarterfinals. The ladies’ soccer team defeated Yough 11-0, and the boys’ soccer team defeated Mcguffey 4-0. These results show up well for both team’s chances of moving on in the WPIAL playoffs. This year, they both want to take home the WPIAL title. It would be the boys’ first WPIAL victory since 2018. It would be the girls’ third consecutive WPIAL championship.