In recent years, Burrell girls soccer established itself as a giant slayer in the WPIAL playoffs. This past season, however, the Buccaneers not only took down some of the top teams in the district, but they also reached new heights, advancing to the state championship game.

Burrell enjoyed a strong but unspectacular regular season, going 6-3-1 in Class 2A Section 2. As a result, Burrell garnered the No. 8 seed in the WPIAL postseason.

In the opening round, homestanding Burrell edged No. 9 Belle Vernon Area 1-0. In the quarterfinals, though, the Bucs added to their reputation of upsetting the heavyweights in the playoffs, as they stunned top-seeded and host South Park 1-0. The Buccaneers then added another upset against a familiar foe in the semifinals, ousting No. 4 Mount Pleasant Area 2-0 to reach the title game.

However, in the WPIAL Class 2A Championship at Highmark Stadium, Burrell suffered a 1-0 loss against second seed Freeport Area, the second year in a row the Bucs settled for silver. Elena Jenkins scored in the 74th minute for the Yellowjackets to break a scoreless tie.

The Buccaneers rebounded to make a historic run through the PIAA tournament, though, gaining a measure of revenge in the process.

In the opening round of the state bracket, Burrell edged host Erie Cathedral Prep 2-1. In the triumph against the Ramblers, McKenna Miller tallied in the first half, while Makiah Buchak netted a goal in the second half, with Eva Wilson picking up a pair of assists.

Later that week, the Buccaneers traveled to Windber, edging District 5 Champion Bedford 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Burrell scored twice in less than three minutes in the second half, as Katie Koehler struck first, and Miller followed with the winning marker. Leah Waldsmith made seven saves in net to earn the win for Burrell.

That set the stage for a rematch against Freeport Area in the semifinals, as Burrell got over the hump. After losing to the Yellowjackets twice in the regular season and again in the WPIAL championship, the Bucs finally tasted victory with a 2-1 win at Fox Chapel. The triumph sent Burrell to the state championship for the first time in program history.

Katie Koheler gave the Bucs the early advantage, as she headed in a corner kick from Eva Wilson to put the Bucs on top. But only 15 seconds later, Freeport's Cam Woods booted a shot towards frame, which eluded Waldsmith. The winning goal came in the 29th minute, as Burrell's Kendall Coury denied a Freeport clearing attempt in the box. The ball careened to Makiah Buchak, who tapped it in to make it 2-1. Waldsmith, who finished with eight saves, made the lead stand in the second half to preserve the victory for the Bucs.

Burrell girls soccer settled for another silver, though, as the Buccaneers fell in heartbreaking fashion in the PIAA Class 2A Championship game. 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.

Burrell concluded the campaign with a mark of 15-8-2.

To help recognize their incredible season, a $500 donation will be awarded to the Burell girls soccer team as part of the Shining Stars program from Smail Kia in Greensburg and the Westmoreland Sports Network.

ABOUT SHINING STARS: Shining Stars is a program formed by Westmoreland Sports Network and Smail Kia in Greensburg to recognize and support Westmoreland County student-athletes whose academics, community and athletic excellence shines the brightest. Two teams will be chosen as Shining Stars each season throughout the year with both receiving funding to assist their booster programs. The program has now contributed $16,000 to local teams.