PIAA playoffs: Follow the action from soccer, field hockey, volleyball, state championships

The fall season is winding down, and teams are down to their final four games. A win in those four games, will, of course, result in a state championship.

The PIAA state tournament is underway in soccer, field hockey and volleyball. Follow the path of the Courier/Intell teams in the tournament, from the first round to the final in Mechanicsburg (that's right, no more giant chocolate bars for states going to the final).

PIAA Girls Soccer

Class 1A:

First Round, Tuesday, November 8

11-1 Moravian Academy 4, 1-1 Dock Mennonite 0

A great season by the Pioneers came to an end at the hands of a talented Moravian Academy squad in the first round. The Pioneers finished the season with a 16-5-2 record and the District One Class 1A championship.

Class 2A:

First Round, Tuesday, November 8

3-2 Trinity 2 (PK 6-5), 12-1 Lansdale Catholic 2

The Crusaders had a goal of making a state tournament run again this season. The team’s seniors had been a part of the team’s 2019 state championship squad, and wanted to go out on a high note. They certainly did that, despite ending their title quest in the first round of the state tournament. Senior goalie Cassidy Saulino recorded six saves, several coming in overtime, to keep the Crusaders chances alive. Senior standout Megan Steinbach had several shots on goal in overtime that just missed, and the game ended up coming down to penalty kicks. The Crusaders’ excellent season also included a trip to the PCL championship game.

Class 3A:

Quarterfinals, Saturday, November 12

3-2 Greencastle-Antrim 1, 12-1 Archbishop Wood 0

An early goal by Greencastle-Antrim would be the difference-maker in a tough defensive battle in the Class 3A quarterfinal. The Vikings’ offense was strong in the second half, but G-A’s defense was unyielding. The loss ended another high-achieving season for the Vikings, who won the PCL championship and won a state playoff game for the second year in a row.

First Round, Tuesday, November 8

12-1 Archbishop Wood 2, 1-2 Bishop Shanahan 1

H.S. girls' soccer: Wood's DeGeorge creates plenty of havoc, will get chance for more

In her first state playoff game after winning Catholic League MVP, Ava DeGeorge showed why she earned the honor.

Despite being double-teamed, DeGeorge scored both of Wood's goals in the second half. The first came on a penalty kick in the 44th minute of a scoreless game after Shanahan’s Melissa Eaglehouse was called for a handball in the box. The second occurred after freshman forward Paige Eckert corralled the ball just outside the box and sent a pass through to DeGeorge on the right side. Vikings' goalie Lauren Greer played a crucial role in securing the win. While only needing to make one save in the first half, Greer recorded six saves in the second half.

Class 4A:

Championship game, Saturday, November 19

1-5 Pennridge vs. 1-6 Owen J. Roberts

Semifinals, Tuesday, November 15

1-5 Pennridge 2, 1-1 Neshaminy 0

Pennridge junior defender Anna Croyle had never scored two goals in a game before Wednesday. But she sure did pick a good time to add that achievement to her resume.

On a blustery and frigid night at Souderton, Croyle found the back of the net - once in each half - and led the Rams past Neshaminy, 2-0, sending Pennridge back to the PIAA Class 4A state championship game for the second time in three years.

In the 23rd minute following a free kick by junior defender Casey Malone, junior midfielder Liv Grenda took a shot that Neshaminy senior goal keeper Hannah LaBadie deflected off to the left side. Croyle was there to tuck it into the left side of the frame.

Then following a corner kick in the 46th minute, Croyle got her foot on the ball, but LaBadie poked it away. However, the ball went right back to Croyle, who didn’t miss the second opportunity and sent the ball to the center of the net.

Neshaminy goalie Hannah LaBadie made seven nice saves in the first half, holding Pennridge to one goal. She finished with eight stops overall. Neshaminy senior midfielder Mercedez Paino was all over the field, racing to find an opening that never materialized. She was forced to leave the game in the 57th minute after getting injured, but the co-captain was back two minutes later trying to rally her team

More:A first for Croyle results in Pennridge's second trip to state final in three years

3-2 Central Dauphin 2, 1-6 Owen J. Roberts 0

Quarterfinals, Saturday, November 12

1-1 Neshaminy 2, 1-3 Conestoga 1 (OT)

Sophomore Allie Ortman scored the game-winning goal in overtime to send Neshaminy to the semifinals. Kylie Maxwell, who has been dominating the postseason, scored the first goal of the game for Neshaminy. Conestoga tied the game late in the second half to force overtime. The win sets up a semifinal with fellow SOL team Pennridge. Neshaminy (23-0-2) has yet to lose a game this season and Pennridge (22-2) has just one regular seaon loss– to Neshaminy.

1-5 Pennridge 5, 1-4 Central Bucks West 0

More:Defender Casey Malone gets offensive during Pennridge's playoff win

The Rams had plenty of help on offense in the high-scoring quarterfinal win.  Jessie Moylan, Hailey Primwhere, Liv Grenda, Joey Tomlinson and Kate Brashear scored a goal apiece as the Rams took a 3-0 lead into halftime. It was the first goal of the season for junior Moylan, who came off the bench. Junior outside back Casey Malone had a pair of assists. The Rams will face Neshaminy in Tuesday’s semifinal. The Rams’ (22-2) lone loss of the regular season was to Neshaminy, a 2-1 game in September.

First Round, Tuesday, November 8

1-1 Neshaminy 3, 3-3 Penn Manor 0

Girls soccer:Neshaminy beats clock, CB East for first district title since 2016

Mercedez Paino, Gyzell Rowan, Angelina Daino all scored for Neshaminy while the defense issued a shutout in the first-round victory. Neshaminy will face District One third-placer Conestoga in Saturday’s quarterfinal. Neshaminy defeated Conestoga in the district semifinal in a game that came down to penalty kicks.

3-2 Central Dauphin 2, 1-2 CB East 0

The Patriots earned a spot in the PIAA state tournament for the second year in a row, but like last season, their season come to an end against Central Dauphin in the first round. Grace Craig, Brooke Roumy and Sophia Schorn all played key roles on a defensive unit that held high-scoring CD to two goals. The Patriots were without several key contributors, most notably leading scorer Cam Williams, who was unable to play due to an illness.

1-4 Central Bucks West 2, 11-1 Parkland 1

Freshman Emery Sterling scored the biggest goal of her young career in Tuesday’s first-round game. With the game tied and just minutes remaining in regulation, Sterling came through with the go-ahead goal that proved to be the game-winner. Mackenzie Gausch scored the first goal for the Bucks in the first period, with an assist from Eva Wierzbowski. The Bucks will face Pennridge in Saturday’s quarterfinal. The two have already played each other four times this year, with Pennridge winning both regular-season matchups (1-0, 3-0). However, CB West won in the District One quarterfinals in a game that ended in penalty kicks.

1-5 Pennridge 7, 12-1 Central 0

The Rams had no trouble in their first-round matchup against the District 12’s public league team. Tori Angelo and Lindsey Balmer scored two goals apiece, while Casey Malone, Lauren Murphy and Anna Croyle had one each. The Rams will face CB West in the quarterfinals. Pennridge took both regular-season matchups (1-0, 3-0), but CB West won in the District One quarterfinals, in a game that ended in penalty kicks.

PIAA Boys Soccer

Class 1A:

Semifinals, Tuesday, November 15

11-1 Moravian Academy 2, 1-1 Faith Christian 1 (OT)

With under two minutes remaining and down by a goal, Colin Moyer scored the equalizer and sent the PIAA Class 1A semifinal to overtime. Salam Diakite, who assisted on Moravian’s first goal, hit the game-winner in overtime for the win.

Quarterfinals, Saturday, November 12

1-1 Faith Christian 3, 3-1 Tulpehocken 1

Colin Moyer scored twice in the first half, staking the Lions to a 2-0 halftime advantage. Titus Gardner added a goal in the second half as the Lions cruised into the semifinals.

First Round, Tuesday, November 8

1-1 Faith Christian 14, 12-1 Tacony 0

The Lions put on a show in the first round of the state tournament. Faith will play 3-1 Tulpehocken in Saturday's quarterfinal.

11-1 Moravian Academy 0 (4-1 PK), 1-2 Dock Mennonite 0

The Pioneers’ saw their season come to an end when the game was decided by penalty kicks. Dock goalie Brayden Kratz had a great outing in goal, holding Moravian Academy scoreless through regulation and two overtimes.

Class 2A:

Quarterfinals, Saturday, November 12

4-1 Lewisberg 2, 12-1 Conwell-Egan 1

First round, Tuesday, November 8

12-1 Conwell-Egan 4, 11-2 Allentown Central Catholic 2

PIAA boys soccer:Kopenits thought his season was over, instead he helped Conwell-Egan advance

Logan Kopenits scored a goal and assisted on another, while also wearing the captain’s armband, helping the Eagles to a 4-2 win over Allentown Central Catholic in a PIAA Class 2A first-round game Tuesday night at Truman.

Kopenits put the Eagles up 1-0 in the early going, and Liam Mullen then scored from the center of the box to give his team a two-goal advantage before the game was 10 minutes old. Tyler Schmidt added another goal in the 46th minute and Jake Stewart scored the Eagles’ fourth goal in the 74th minute.

Class 4A:

Quarterfinals, Saturday, November 12

1-1 Lower Merion 2, 1-4 Pennridge 0

The Rams most successful season in history came to an end against the No. 1 seed Lower Merion in Saturday’s quarterfinal. The game also ended another era in Rams history, as it was the final game for head coach Pete Valimont, who stepped down in order to spend more time with his family. This marked the first time in program history that Pennridge won a boys soccer state playoff game and the first time in 25 years that the Rams had made it to the state tournament.

First round, Tuesday, November 8

1-4 Pennridge 4, 2-1 Abington Heights 1

The game will go down in school history. For the first time in program history, Pennridge won a boys soccer state playoff game. Not only that, it was the first time in 25 years that the Rams had made it to the state tournament. Head coach Pete Valimont was a member of that team. This time around, he was on the sidelines as Shane Velez scored three goals to lead the Rams. TJ Thanel gave the Rams an early lead, scoring three minutes into the game with an assist from Fernando Columna. The Rams will play District One champion Lower Merion in the quarterfinals.

11-1 Parkland 0 (4-3 PK), 1-5 Central Bucks East 0

PIAA Tennis: Lansdale Catholic's Ella Moran handles pressure on and off the tennis court

PIAA Field Hockey

Class 1A:

Quarterfinals, Saturday, November 12

4-2 Central Columbia 1, 1-1 New Hope-Solebury 0 (2OT)

First Round, Tuesday, November 8

1-1 New Hope-Solebury 3, 3-5 Greenwood 2 (OT)

Sophia Cozza did it again. For the second playoff game in a row, the Lions’ senior hit the game-winning goal in overtime. The Lions had to come from a 2-0 deficit for Cozza to get that chance. Mia Patino scored to put the Lions on the board, and then Ava Cozza tied it up minutes later, setting the stage for Sophia’s game-winner. Olivia Conte and goalie Caroline Berman both were keys on defensive, shutting out Greenwood from the second quarter on. NH-S will play 4-2 Central Columbia in Saturday's quarterfinal.

3-2 Oley Valley 8, 1-2 Dock Mennonite 0

A fine season for the Pioneers (16-5) came to an end against an experienced Oley Valley squad.

Class 2A:

Semfinals, Tuesday, November 15

3-1 Palmyra 3, 1-2 Gwynedd Mercy 1

A high-achieving season for Gwynedd Mercy came to an end in the PIAA Class 2A semifinal against Palmyra. Palmyra took a 2-0 lead on goals from Katie Lintz and Avery Russell. Catherine Fitzgerald cut the deficit in half with a goal for the Monarchs in the fourth quarter, but time ran out on a potential comeback. The Monarchs’ all-star goalie Lilly Sweeney made four saves to keep the game close. This was the second season in the row that the Monarchs advanced to the state semifinals. Last year, the Monarchs made it to the championship game after defeating Palmyra in the quarterfinals.

Quarterfinals, Saturday, November 12

1-2 Gwynedd Mercy 3, 3-5 Northern 0

For the second year in a row, Gwynedd Mercy will play in the PIAA semifinals. After a scoreless first quarter, Sydney Mandato put the Monarchs on the board in the second. Audrey Beck and Rory Saxson followed with a goal apiece, though the insurance wouldn't be needed thanks to another shut out by goalie Lily Sweeney. Sweeney had nine saves, including a late save on a penalty stroke to secure the shutout. The Monarchs will play District 3 champion Palmyra in Tuesday’s semifinal game. The two teams met last year in the PIAA quarterfinals, with GMA winning 2-1.

First round, Tuesday, November 8

1-2 Gwynedd Mercy 17, 12-2 Benjamin Rush 0

The Monarchs jumped out to an 11-0 halftime lead as they dominated the Philadelphia magnet school. GMA will play 3-5 Northern in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Class 3A:

First round, Tuesday, November 8

1-1 Downingtown West 1, 1-7 Souderton 0

The Big Red put forth an impressive effort against the No. 1 seed Downingtown West. Ciara Margetich scored the lone goal of the game in the second quarter of a staunch defensive battle. Souderton standout senior Ang Borisow played a key role in holding Downingtown to just one goal.

3-1 Lower Dauphin 3, 1-6 CB West 1

Lily Cosner scored to tie the game in the second quarter, but Lower Dauphin struck two more times to end the Bucks’ season. The Bucks, who have a number of freshman players, finished 18-4-1.

PIAA Volleyball

Class 2A:

First Round, Tuesday, November 8

11-1 Notre Dame Green Pond 3, 12-1 Conwell-Egan 0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-20)

Class 3A:

First round, Tuesday, November 8

3-1 Twin Valley 3, 12-3 Archbishop Wood 0 (Twin Valley HS 25-19, 25-16, 25-15)

More:PIAA Cross Country: Brian DiCola, Thomas Smigo bring home gold

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PA PIAA State Championships soccer volleyball field hockey playoffs