Riverside Girls Soccer Earn Playoff Berth, Await Rematch With GCC

The Riverside Girls Soccer team wrapped up its regular season last week with a 4-0 victory over Sewickley Academy.

The victory wrapped up a 4-6 regular season for the Lady Panthers, good enough for a 12-seed in the 16 team WPIAL Class-A Soccer Playoffs.  When the bracket was announced, the Panthers found themselves pair up with a familiar foe in their first round match up – Greensburg Central Catholic. [VIEW FULL BRACKET]

Riverside was bounced by GCC last year – a 2-1 overtime loss – in the second round of the playoffs after collecting an opening round victory over Winchester Thurston

This year the rematch will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (10/22) at Peters Township Middle School. Tickets through semifinals are available online: www.gofan.co/WPIAL // Students: $5, Adults: $7 // All tickets at gate are $7.00.

“We are looking forward to the rematch,” says Head Coach Jordan Curcio

The coach points to senior Lauren Krug among a handful of other experienced players looking to make their mark on the playoffs this year.

“Senior Lauren Krug has been monumental,” says Curcio. “She is the team captain, and has been a tremendous leader, selflessly giving up her love for goalkeeping to hit the field as a lockdown defender alongside Sophomore Olivia Pettner.”

Junior Goalkeeper Sianna Falk will not play in goal on Saturday due to injury allowing Krug to step back into the net in her final high school matches.

“Falk has been outstanding all season long,” says Curcio.

Senior Marlin Ondek has returned after being away from playing soccer for a few years and has been outstanding as a left forward according to Curcio. Sophomore Gabriella Finch has been absolutely remarkable as a midfielder and has been instrumental in locking down the midfield and creating attacking opportunities for the team as well as being a leader on the field.

The season has been challenging according to Curcio as many considered the girls soccer program in decline due to low roster numbers.

However, Curcio says the coaches convinced the girls to invite some friends to come out and try their hand at a new sport. They brought in four new players that have never played soccer before and a fifth player that hadn’t played in over 4 years.

“Most of them [new players] have seen extensive playing time throughout the season and have really stepped up under pressure to learn on the fly,” concludes Curcio. “The veteran players have really stepped up as leaders who have shown selflessness and versatility by being willing to change positions on the field to create the success that we have had.”