In pursuit of the first WPIAL championship in team history, Mount Pleasant Area girls soccer fell to fifth-seeded Avonworth 2-1 at Highmark Stadium in Station Square on Saturday.

Although the No. 2 Vikings scored just minutes into the match, the Antelopes recorded the final two goals, both by Fiona Mahan, to repeat as the WPIAL Class 2A champs. As a result, Avonworth improved to 19-3-0, while Mount Pleasant Area dropped to 19-2-0.

Freshman Morgan Gesinski opened the scoring in the third minute, as she tallied her 32nd marker of the season on a shot just inside the box, assisted by Rylin Bugosh.

The Lopes answered near the midway point of the first half, however, as Mahan powered around multiple Vikings’ defenders, and blasted a shot that went in off the crossbar, deadlocking the score.

The lone tally in the second half came courtesy of Mahan in the 64th minute, as she received a feed from Emma Luther and unleashed a deep shot that tipped off the hand of Mount Pleasant goalkeeper Laurel Rummel for the decisive marker.

Avonworth’s keeper, Elena Zimmerman, made that lead stand, as she held the Vikings scoreless the rest of the way, recording 10 saves in the match. Rummel, conversely, registered six stops.

To reach their first title game, the Vikings edged South Park 1-0 in overtime in the semifinals, and earlier in the playoffs, rolled past Freeport Area and West Mifflin.

Mount Pleasant Area begins the PIAA Class 2A postseason on Tuesday, as the Vikings will face District 6 champion Bedford at Richland High School at 6 p.m. The Antelopes, meanwhile, will host District 10 runner up General McLane on Tuesday at 6 p.m.