With the first round of the District 1-3A field hockey playoffs getting underway Monday night, followed the next day by opening round contests in soccer and volleyball, let’s take a closer sport-by-sport look at which Pioneer Athletic Conference squads will be competing in the postseason this week, beginning with Tuesday’s action-packed day.
BOYS SOCCER
District 1-4A First Round:
No. 17 Haverford (9-6-3) at Spring-Ford (9-6-5), 4 p.m.
Fresh off claiming their first PAC crown since 2013 in a shootout over Norristown last week, the Rams enter districts as a team confident in their ability to outlast opponents in close games. Spring-Ford had a PAC-leading five ties, and with no more draws possible in postseason play, the Rams are armed with an experienced senior goalie in co-captain Andrew Wible, who turned aside both Norristown and Upper Merion in PKs during the league playoffs. Fellow captain Cayden Folkes, who had the winning kick against UM in the PAC semis, leads an experienced group of players that also includes seniors Thiago Berney, Sam Bodenschatz, Albab Azam and Chris Collins. The Rams are 3-0-2 in their last five games and will take on Haverford, who enters with a 9-6-3 overall record and a 6-2-2 mark in their previous 10 contests. Haverford finished 6-3-2 in Central League play, tied with Harriton and behind Conestoga, Radnor, Lower Merion and Penncrest.
No. 21 Upper Merion (12-6-1) at No. 12 Neshaminy (12-3-3), 5 p.m.
Upper Merion lost a dramatic shootout decision to Spring-Ford in the PAC semis, but the Vikings still enter district play feeling confident thanks to its strong offensive play of late. Prior to that defeat, UM had won seven consecutive contests in which the team outscored its opponents 40-7. Ben Wintersteen, Sandier Urias and Alok Shori all scored in regulation for UM against Spring-Ford to keep the offense humming. Neshaminy is back in the field after a one-year hiatus and finished in second place in the SOL Patriot Division behind Council Rock North.
No. 18 Upper Dublin (11-6-1) at No. 15 Owen J. Roberts (12-6), 5 p.m.
The Wildcats will be playing their first game since Oct. 10, a 2-1 loss to Spring-Ford in the regular season finale that kept OJR out of the PAC Final Four. The Wildcats had won five of six before that result, and the team competed every time it got on the field as all of its losses came by one goal. Senior Elijah Purtle and junior Andy Tzoanos are two of OJR’s bigger scoring threats, with Mick Kuhl, Gabriel Bonorino, Kenny Smith, Zach Przemieniecki and Mason Wiedl serving as additional weapons. Cohen Hudson and Michael McCormick are both capable keepers between the posts for the Wildcats. They will host Upper Dublin, who finished behind Abington in SOL Liberty play.
No. 24 Avon Grove (9-8-1) at No. 9 Phoenixville (14-3-2), 6 p.m.
The Phantoms begin anew after a couple of stumbles to end the season, most notably a 7-0 setback at Upper Merion on Oct. 8 followed by a late loss to Norristown in the PAC semifinals. Even so, Phoenixville has plenty of reasons to be confident heading into districts, led by senior goalie Ryan Lang and offensive weapons Connor Northcott, Brody White, Luis Chiroy, Mateo Rodriguez, Ryan Jacobson, Ryan O’Neill, Tate Sklar and Jack Nixon. Avon Grove finished behind WC Henderson, Downingtown East, Downingtown West and Bishop Shanahan in a talented Ches-Mont National division.
No. 27 Norristown (12-7-1) at No. 6 Great Valley (12-4-2), 7 p.m.
Norristown qualified for districts for just the second time in program history as the 27th of 28 teams into the 4A field. The Eagles almost won the PAC in their first-ever league playoff appearance, knocking off top-seeded Phoenixville in the semis before succumbing to Spring-Ford in PKs in the title game. The Eagles feature one of the most talented and dynamic offensive players in the field in junior star Steve Ruiz, who converted a bicycle kick for a goal against the Rams. Sixth-seeded Great Valley finished in second place in Ches-Mont American play behind WC Rustin.
No. 22 Boyertown (7-7-4) at No. 11 North Penn (11-7), 7 p.m.
Boyertown failed to qualify for the PAC playoffs but enters districts with a 4-2-2 mark in its last eight contests. The Bears are led on offense by seniors Chase Bartman and Brayden Burkhardt and talented sophomore keeper Joey Goddard in between the posts as the team looks to follow up on its successful 2023 run to the district quarterfinals. North Penn finished tied for third in the SOL Colonial Division along with Central Bucks East and behind Souderton and CB South. The Knights are 7-3 in their previous 10 contests.
GIRLS SOCCER
District 1-4A First Round:
No. 25 Phoenixville (9-6-1) at No. 8 Lower Merion (12-4-1), 1 p.m.
After finishing tied atop the PAC Frontier with Pope John Paul II but missing the league playoffs due to tiebreaker, Phoenixville gets another shot at postseason play when it visits Lower Merion in an early weekday matinee. The Phantoms are led by Taylor Schneider, Lilah O’Donnell, Maya Williams, Molly Cirone and Gabby Goudie on offense and Emine Ulcay in goal. Lower Merion finished tied for fourth place with Strath Haven and behindGarnet Valley, Conestoga and Radnor in a very strong Central Athletic League.
No. 28 Wissahickon (5-10-3) at No. 5 Spring-Ford (16-3), 6 p.m.
Spring-Ford dropped a PK heartbreaker to Owen J. Roberts in the PAC Championship last week but still enters districts as one of the more talented groups in the field. Olivia Nield and Riley Reavy have each performed admirably in goal this season, while the Rams boast plenty of offensive firepower in the forms of as Ava Hissong, Mackenzie Kerr, Brynn Vickery, Molly Kennedy, Maddie Budka, Abby Huxta, Mya Hassan and Erin Buckley, just to name a few. Wissahickon is the 28th and final team into the 4A field, having finished at the bottom of the SOL Liberty Division.
No. 21 Marple Newtown (8-8-2) at No. 12 Perkiomen Valley (15-4), 7 p.m.
Despite a 2-0 loss to Spring-Ford in the PAC semis last week, the Vikings will begin district play with a strong sense of faith. Three of the four Perk Valley losses came to the Rams this season, with the only other defeat at the hands of OJR nearly two months ago. Brianna Young and Giavanna Marciano do much of the heavy lifting on offense but have help in Mia Corropoloese, Taylor Martin, Sophia Lanza, Jane Fisher, Isa Schorle and Mia Angelaccio. Senior goalie Anna Mecouch gives the Vikings an experienced and talented keeper in between the posts. Marple Newtown finished its season toward the bottom of the Central Athletic League standings.
No. 23 Abington (9-9-1) at No. 10 Owen J. Roberts (15-5), 7 p.m.
Owen J. Roberts will return to the field fresh off its 16th PAC title in program history. The Wildcats boast plenty of offensive firepower with the likes of Fiona Sanders, Meryn Primanti, Audrey Fleck, Abby Kalbach, Logan Farrow, Emma Rutchauskas and Ashly White are all threats to score, while senior goalie Cheyenne Theakston brings experience between the posts. Abington ended the year in second place in SOL Liberty play behind division leader Upper Dublin.
FIELD HOCKEY
Note: No. 14 Spring-Ford, No. 18 Owen J. Roberts and No. 24 Perkiomen Valley played in Monday’s 3A first round and their games will be recapped in tomorrow’s edition. Additionally, No. 5 Methacton and No. 7 Boyertown received first-round byes and will host second-round 3A games on Wednesday.
District 1-2A First Round:
No. 10 Gwynedd Mercy Academy (8-10-1) at No. 7 Phoenixville (13-6-1), 4 p.m.
Phoenixville will hit the reset button after a semifinal exit from the PAC playoffs last week. The Phantoms have experienced upperclassmen in seniors Stella Khazen, Kylie Moore and Bridget Kelly, along with junior Margaret Daly, leading the way. These players, along with freshman Morgan Klotzbach, handle a lion’s share of the team’s scoring.
No. 11 Oxford (9-7-2) at No. 6 Upper Perkiomen (10-6-2), 6 p.m.
Despite missing out on the PAC playoffs, Upper Perk was one of five (out of six) PAC Liberty teams to finish the season with a winning record. The Indians snapped a four-game losing streak in their regular-season finale with a 2-0 victory over Pennridge and will look to headliners such as Julia Traynor and Ryann Sanfelice to lead them to victory over 11th-seeded Oxford.
District 1-1A First Round:
No. 6 Pope John Paul II (9-9) at No. 3 Dock Mennonite Academy (14-4), 6 p.m.
As the sixth and final entry into the 1A field, PJP will have an upset on their minds when it visits third-seeded Dock Mennonite Academy. The Golden Panthers have won four of their last six games entering districts and know they can compete against Dock, having narrowly dropped a 3-2 decision to the hosts back on Sept. 6. PJP is the reigning 1A district champion.
VOLLEYBALL
District 1-4A First Round:
Note: No. 4 Upper Merion received a first-round bye in the 4A bracket and will host the winner of Methacton-Haverford on Thursday at 7 p.m.
No. 20 Methacton (10-8) at No. 13 Haverford (15-5), 5 p.m.
The Warriors finished in fourth place in an immensely-challenging PAC Liberty Division also featuring the likes of PJP, Upper Merion and Spring-Ford. Methacton’s headliners include Caroline Welsh, Mikayla Batten, Madison Roeger, Ava Karlinsey, Ellie Baldwin, Arden Hartranft and Mianna Ly. Haverford finished in third place in the Central League behind Garnet Valley and Strath Haven.
No. 21 Penncrest (10-8) at No. 12 Spring-Ford (14-7), 6 p.m.
Spring-Ford feels that it is adequately prepared for its district run after playing in one of the more talented divisions in the area. Of the Rams’ seven losses, five were to local stalwarts PJP and Upper Merion, and head coach George Fuller is armed with a talented group that includes sisters Marley and Lauren Angelucci, as well as Lila Olsen and Alanna Bricker. Penncrest was a middle-of-the-road team in the Central League this season.
No. 24 Perkiomen Valley (8-12) at No. 9 Council Rock South (18-3), 6 p.m.
Perk Valley was the final team into the 4A field; despite a losing overall record, the team is battle tested against the likes of PJP, Upper Merion and Spring-Ford, who the Vikings had to play twice each. PV won its final two contests of the regular season over Boyertown and Methacton, giving the team a bit of confidence as it gets set to take on SOL National champ CR South, winners of seven consecutive matches as they begin district competition.
No. 23 Phoenixville (11-8) at No. 10 West Chester Henderson (18-4), 7 p.m.
Fresh off a 3-1 defeat in the first PAC playoff appearance in program history, Phoenixville will do battle with Henderson, which finished in third place in the Ches-Mont National division. The Phantoms are led by seniors Kristen Brown, Zoe Monson and Samantha Perillo, while junior Annabelle Collins and sophomores Gianna Buce, Karley Turner, Grace Pisarcik and Riley Galbreath are also instrumental pieces in the rotation.
No. 19 Boyertown (12-10) at No. 14 Avon Grove (12-6), 7 p.m.
Like Methacton and Perk Valley alike, Boyertown did not have a ton of success against the top of the PAC Liberty Division, which should adequately prepare the Bears for any of the teams they will face in the 4A field. Boyertown went 8-1 against non-league opponents in 2024. A few of the Boyertown headliners are Jenna Christman, Sydney Scheck, Kyra Neiswender and Lauren McKeon. Avon Grove finished toward the bottom of the Ches-Mont National Division.
District 1-3A First Round:
No. 8 Upper Perkiomen (8-8) at No. 1 Pope John Paul II (19-0), 7 p.m.
PJP enters as the runaway favorite to win its third consecutive 3A crown, with the Golden Panthers fresh off a third straight league title. They will also be attempting to win their third PIAA title in a row should they be fortunate enough to emerge from the district bracket victorious. PJP has won 73 consecutive matches and has a deep arsenal of talent led by Maeve Gallagher, Norah Busch, Ava Maloney, Haley Maloney, Emma Bond, Reece Benner, Kailey Hudy and Sophia Benincasa. The Indians, who will be facing PJP for the first time this season, won three of their final five regular season matches.
