WPIAL Class A girls soccer championship
1-Sewickley Academy (18-1) vs. 2-Bentworth (18-1-1)
6 p.m. Thursday, Highmark Stadium
Coaches: Gary Weber, Sewickley Academy; Tyler Hamstra, Bentworth
Players to watch: Emma Eannarino, Sewickley Academy; Megan Keturakis, Bentworth
WPIAL titles: Sewickley Academy 4 (2004, 2003, 2002, 1999); Bentworth 0
Playoff path: Sewickley Academy defeated No. 16 Ellis School, 7-0, in the first round; No. 9 Carlynton, 2-0, in the quarterfinals; and No. 4 Springdale, 1-0, in the semifinals. Bentworth beat No. 15 Freedom, 3-2, in the first round; No. 10 OLSH, 2-0, in the quarterfinals; and No. 11 Waynesburg Central, 1-0, in the semifinals.
Throw-ins: Sewickley Academy is chasing its fifth WPIAL title but first since winning three straight from 2002-04. The Panthers rolled to the Section 3 title at 12-0. They average nearly 5 goals per game. Their lone loss was 4-0 against rival Quaker Valley on Sept. 4. The Panthers have outscored opponents 94-14. Sewickley Academy has allowed just one goal in the playoffs, outscoring three opponents 10-1. Freshman Sara Merryman scored with 20:47 left to give Sewickley Academy a win in the semifinals. Junior Emma Eannarino also scored for the Panthers. Emilia Carabba, Makenzie Dice, Eannarino and Clair Karsman were named to the all-WPIAL team. Eannarino and Karsman were the team’s leading scorers with more than 25 each. … Bentworth cruised to the Section 2 title at 10-0 and outscored section opponents 48-6. Since a nonsection loss to Southmoreland and a tie with Laurel Highlands, the Bearcats have won 16 straight games. The Bentworth defense has allowed 0.8 goals per game and produced 10 shutouts. Bella Moyer scored the lone goal off an assist from Megan Keturakis in the semifinals. Julia Brandau, Madelyn Johns and Keturakis were named to the all-WPIAL team for Bentworth. … Both teams have qualified for the PIAA tournament.