Burrell girls soccer falls in state championship

Burrell girls soccer settled for another silver this year, as the Buccaneers fell in heartbreaking fashion in the PIAA Class 2A Championship game on Friday. Archbishop Wood edged the Bucs 2-1 in overtime in the title clash at Northeastern High School. Kylie Wiest netted the golden goal for the Vikings less than six minutes into the extra period. Burrell’s Parker Moore tallied a goal in the 77th minute on an assist from Eva Wilson to force the overtime. Earlier in the week, Burrell edged rival Freeport Area 2-1 in the state semifinals at Fox Chapel Area High School, courtesy of goals by Katie Kohler and Makiah Buchak. That outcome avenged the Buccaneers loss to the Yellowjackets in the WPIAL title game on Nov. 1. Burrell concludes the campaign with a mark of 15-8-2.

Cavaliers, Leopards football dropping in classification

A pair of Westmoreland County football teams will play in a lower classification next season, as Kiski Area and Belle Vernon Area will be on the move. The Cavaliers, who were in Class 5A this season, will return to Class 4A for the 2026 and 2027 campaigns. Likewise, the Leopards will move back to Class 3A, where they won a pair of state titles, after BVA played in 4A this year. The PIAA released updated enrollment numbers last week, which determined where football teams will compete in for the next two-year cycle. In football, Class 6A schools have 579 or more boys, Class 5A is from 578 to 413, Class 4A is 412 to 282, Class 3A is 281 to 200, Class 2A is 199 to 142, and Class A has 141 or fewer.

Rice steps away from GL soccer

After four years at the helm of Greater Latrobe boys soccer, Jake Rice has stepped down as head coach. Rice helped the Wildcats enjoy a resurgence, including a section title in 2024 and three consecutive playoff appearances. This fall, the Wildcats finished with a record of 8-10-0 overall, including 7-3-0 in Class 3A Section 3. The Cats fell to West Allegheny in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A postseason. Rice, who replaced Tom Kennedy, is a Connellsville Area grad who played collegiately at Malone University.

Warriors edge Spartans on the ice

Penn-Trafford hockey skated past Hempfield Area 6-4 last Monday, putting the Warriors atop the standings in the PIHL Class AA. Playing at the Palmer Imaging Arena in Delmont, host PT took a 3-0 lead in the opening period, courtesy of goals by Lorvens Huber, Rylan Kiste, and Brock Bienemann. Although the Spartans pulled within a goal early in the third, Sean Goodman tallied a pair of markers in the final period, while Bienemann added his second goal to seal the victory. While Bienemann and Goodman each produced three points, Hubers and Ben Zierski notched two-point efforts, while Aidan Funk made 32 saves. JJ Williams paced Hempfield with a goal and two assists, while Colby Herron posted two goals. With the victory, the Warriors ascended to first place with 18 points, while the Spartans are tied for second with 17 points.

Maddock garners PAC honors for Bearcats

Saint Vincent College men’s soccer player Daniel Maddock was named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Newcomer of the Year, one of six Bearcats who garnered PAC accolades last week. Maddock, a Norwin graduate, was also a Second-Team All-PAC performer after he scored nine goals and racked up five assists. Moreover, Will LaBruno was also Second-Team All-PAC, while Kameron Rock, Cade Coldiron, Cameron Mulvanny, and Jack Billick were recognized as Honorable Mention performers. The Bearcats compiled a mark of 11-4-5 this season, including 5-2-4 in the PAC, reaching the conference tournament.