PIAA Boys Soccer: Previewing quarterfinal matchups for Cumberland Valley, Trinity and Camp Hill
Three Sentinel-area teams remain in contention for a PIAA boys soccer title.
Cumberland Valley (Class 4A), Trinity (Class 2A) and Camp Hill (Class A) all advanced through Tuesday's first round in their respective classes and set up quarterfinal matches scheduled for Saturday at neutral sites.
Following is a breakdown of their quarterfinal matchups.
CLASS 4A
Cumberland Valley (18-1-1) vs. Plum (18-1-3)
When/where: Saturday, noon, at Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona
How they got here: The District 3 champion Eagles erased an early deficit and defeated District 1 sixth-place entry Souderton in the first round. Meanwhile, WPIAL runner-up Plum outlasted District 10 champion Erie McDowell in a scoreless first-round game that was decided in penalty kicks.
Up next: Saturday's winner advances to the state semifinals, drawing either District 3 runner-up Warwick or WPIAL champion Fox Chapel in a final-four matchup Tuesday.
Players to watch: Cumberland Valley's Lex Radosavljevic, a key member of the Eagles' back line, scored the game-tying goal in the first round and was named the Mid-Penn Commonwealth's player of the year Thursday by the conference's coaches.
Plum's senior center back, Garrett Chandler, was an All-WPIAL selection and has been the centerpiece of the Mustangs' defense.
Notes: Plum had been a Class 3A team from 2019 until 2023. The Mustangs qualified for states in 2022 but lost in the first round. ... Cumberland Valley is making its first quarterfinal appearance since 2020. The Eagles advanced to the semifinals in the same season, one that saw a smaller tournament due to COVID-19 considerations. ... The Mustangs dropped a 1-0 decision to Fox Chapel in the WPIAL championship game, their only loss of the season. ... The Eagles' only loss of the season came Aug. 31 in a 3-2 loss at Emmaus. They've gone unbeaten in the 18 matches since. ... Cumberland Valley has also allowed one goal or fewer in 19 of its 20 games this season. ... Plum's regular season included ties against Upper St. Clair, North Allegheny and Franklin Regional.
CLASS 2A
Trinity (12-7-2) vs. Cathedral Prep (16-6)
When/where: Saturday, 5 p.m. at Price Field, Westmont Elementary
How they got here: The District 3 runner-up Shamrocks blasted Juniata 7-1 for their first state-tournament win since 2005. Meanwhile, the Ramblers, who finished second in District 10, handed WPIAL champion South Park its first loss of the season to advance.
Up next: Saturday's winner will face either WPIAL runner-up Avonworth or District 10 champion Fairview in the semifinals scheduled for Tuesday.
Players to watch: On the other side of Trinity's outburst Tuesday was a defensive effort, anchored by goalkeeper Kieran Finegan, that allowed one goal. The Shamrocks haven't allowed more than one goal throughout the postseason.
Cathedral Prep forward/midfielder Max Johnson has been a key contributor for the Ramblers.
Notes: Cathedral Prep won last year's PIAA Class 3A title before moving into 2A. The Ramblers also reached the state semifinals in 2022. ... Trinity is making its first state-tournament appearance since 2013 and last reached the semifinals in 2005 ... The first-round victory marked the sixth time that the Shamrocks have scored seven goals or more. They put up crooked numbers against Susquehanna Township twice (7-0, 9-0), Harrisburg twice (7-1, 7-0) and Big Spring once (8-1). ... Three of Cathedral Prep's six losses have come against Fairview. ... Fairview has been the only team that has beaten the Ramblers since Frederick Douglass earned a 2-1 decision in Erie Sept. 28. ... Trinity has not allowed more than two goals in a game since its season opener while the Ramblers have scored three goals or more in nine out of their last 10 games.
CLASS A
Camp Hill (17-3-1) vs. Masterman (8-7-2)
When/where: Saturday, noon, at Governor Mifflin High School
How they got here: The District 3 champion lions held off New Hope-Solebury 1-0 in Tuesday's first round while the District 12 champion Dragons earned a 2-1 victory over Schuylkill Haven after falling behind in the first minute.
Up next: Saturday's winner will face either District 3 runner-up Lancaster Mennonite or District 3 champion Wyoming Seminary in the semifinals scheduled for Tuesday.
Players to watch: Camp Hill's Ty Kicrchhoff, the centerpiece of the Camp Hill offense, scored the lone goal for the Lions in Tuesday's first round.
Notes: Both teams qualified for last year's PIAA Class 2A tournament. Masterman dropped a 3-0 decision to Fleetwood in the first round. Camp Hill went on to win the Class 2A title. ... Four of the five games in Camp Hill's PIAA tournament winning streak have been decided by one goal. ... All three of Camp Hill's losses this season came against PIAA Class 2A qualifiers (Trinity, Lancaster Catholic, Lewisburg). Of the three, Trinity advanced to the quarterfinals. ... Four of Masterman's seven losses were by shutout.
Tim Gross is the sports editor at The Sentinel and cumberlink.com . Love
