The Plum and Mars girls' soccer teams have been battling in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs for the past six seasons. The Mustangs got their first win over the Planets in five meetings Thursday night at Plum. Allison Porter converted the winning kick for the Mustangs.

Read my story on the event in the Tribune Review. During regulation and overtime, there weren't too many solid scoring options for either side.

SHALER TWP - Mars boys soccer coach Chris Knauff smiled big when huddling with his team under three balloons indicating he had hit the 300-win mark Tuesday night at Biles Field.

Knauff, who is in his final season as coach, will only have to worry about preparing for the matches ahead of him in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs and not anything else.

By beating Shaler 2-1 in a Section 1-3A match, Knauff became the second Planet soccer coach to hit a win milestone this fall.
Blair Gerlach, the Planets’ girls coach, hit his 400th win early this season.

“It was nice to hit that milestone during the regular season and not be thinking about it in the playoffs,” Knauff said. “We’ve got a good program on both sides. It’s fun to be a part of.”

The Planets (11-5-2, 9-1-2) won the match in unique fashion. Senior keeper Eli Stasiowski scored his first career goal.
Stasiowski launched a free kick from near midfield that took a large leap off the turf, went through Shaler keeper Brian Hegerty’s hands and landed in the back of the net.

“As soon as I saw it go through his hands, if this goes in, I was telling my guys at halftime ‘Hey, we just gotta put some pressure on this keeper and see what happens’” Stasiowski said. “And there it was, it was kind of like I told you so moment. It was amazing to see the ball go in.”

It wasn’t something he was eager to celebrate.

Stasiowski wouldn’t have wanted to be in that position himself.

“I can’t celebrate on the other keepers when they slip up,” Stasiowski said. “It doesn’t feel right.”

Not much was in Mars’ favor in the first half. The Planets had a goal waved off for offside. Shaler (12-4, 8-3) ended up taking the lead in the 36th minute when Anthony Tylenda launched a shot from well outside the box that found its way in.

“I thought we played well tonight,” Titans coach Tyler Schultz said. “At the beginning of the season, people probably didn’t expect us to be here. We’ll see what cards are dealt tomorrow and whatever the fallout is of this game and we’ll see where we stand.”

Mars came out in the second half eager to cut into the deficit.

The Planets evened the match when Frank Knezovich was able to get on the end of the cross and guide the ball into the net on the back post.

“We knew we needed to press them and they came with a lot of energy,” Knauff said. 

Stasiowski’s goal allowed Mars to lock up second place in the section.

When the WPIAL playoff brackets are released Tuesday, the Planets will likely be awarded a home game.

“It’s incredible, especially during my senior season in the last section match of my career to end on a win,” Stasiowski said. “I got my first goal and the coach got his 300th win. It’s amazing to be a part of.”

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.​

FOX CHAPEL - A pair of sophomore quarterbacks made a strong impression during the Burrell and Shady Side Academy game Friday night at Michael J. Farrell Field. Buccaneers quarterback Antonio Perkins dazzled on the ground, while Javon Johnston had a strong overall performance during a 56-26 win by Shady Side Academy.

Perkins, who transferred in from Valley, ran for 174 yards and scored four touchdowns. He also passed for 53 yards, including a 43-yard connection with Trey Coury. Shady Side Academy coach Andrew Geisler said the Bulldogs had to adjust to slow down Perkins' running.

"Honestly, they did a tremendous job," Geisler said. "They exploited where we were a helmet short."

Johnston threw four touchdown passes and ran for four more. Cam Mallory was Johnston's top target, finishing with 142 yards and two touchdowns. BJ Mallory also caught two touchdown passes and finished with 147 yards through the air.

First-year Burrell coach Dom Girardi said it was hard to slow down Shady Side Academy's offense. The Bulldogs were a threat to score every time they touched the ball.

"It's just that," Girardi said. "They have some great athletes. (BJ Mallory) is a real legitimate receiver threat. () is quick and shift. (Cam Mallory is phenomenal. It was a tough matchup for us."

Burrell led briefly in the second quarter, 20-16, following a touchdown run by Johnston. The Buccaneers ended up giving the ball away on three possession with fumbles. Shady Side Academy converted all of them into touchdowns and led 38-20 at the half.

"I think our mentality changed," Johnston said. "We doubted them in the beginning. Then we focused up and went from there. We got better and better."

Girardi said Shady Side Academy wanted to pressure Johnston, but he was able to thwart their pressure.

"Johnston throws a nice ball," Girardi said. "If we did get some pressure, he was able to make plays."

The Bulldogs have started slow in consecutive games. Geisler said he would like to see that improve as the season rolls on.

"We've been sluggish our first two games out," Geisler said. "It's something we need to break habit wise. They've risen to the occasion and they understand we are never out of the ball game."

Central Catholic gets revenge on Pine-Richland
There was some thought Pine-Richland may be the best team in the WPIAL regardless of class. But the Vikings got revenge on their northern rival Friday night. Central Catholic took the lead just before halftime on a 13-yard touchdown catch by Maceo Watkins from Owen Herrick.

The Vikings never gave the lead back. Central Catholic benefitted from three touchdowns from Roman Thompson. The Rams (2-0) were shut out after halftime.

There was no magic in McKeesport
Kemon Spell let the news leak out Thursday night in a post that was quickly deleted off X. The Penn State recruit didn't play after suffering an ankle injury. McKeesport didn't fare well without its top running back, who is a junior. 

Peters Township's defense exploited the Tigers, handing McKeesport a 35-0 shutout defeat. 

Mars finds way to beat Bethel Park
The Black Hawks offense steamrolled Seneca Valley in Week Zero, putting up more than 50 points in a win. Bethel Park came back down to Earth this Friday, allowing Mars running back Liam Corcoran to score on a 2-yard run with 15 seconds remaining in a 17-13 defeat.

The Planets improved to 2-0.
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Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

The true test of the success of any program is what happens after a run of great players go through the program. The Shaler boys volleyball team were the PIAA Class 3A champions last season. The Titans lost more than 10 seniors from last year's team and are off to a 3-1 start this season.

While Shaler still has a long ways to go to prove it deserves a spot in the state rankings, there will be plenty of opportunities for the Titans to prove themselves. Shaler, the two-time defending WPIAL Class 3A champions, are in a section with Mars, which won the 2A crown last year.

​Read about the Titans journey thus far on SBLive.

​Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be sent to [email protected] or on X @J_oshrizzo.

Mars graduate Lauren Wasylson signed a contract to play with ZKK Spartak Subotica, which is the top level of women's basketball in Serbia. Wasylson was a Class 5A all-state player during her time with the Fightin' Planets. During Wasylson's senior season, she helped the Planets beat Archbishop Wood 36-33 in the state championship game.

Wasylson started he collegiate career at Xavier and played three seasons there. She ended up transferring closer to home to play at Duquesne. During her time in college, Wasylson averaged 5.5 points per game and avereged 2.3 rebounds per contest.

Wasylson's best statistical season was her freshman year with the Musketeers. She averaged 7.2 points per game and shot 38.3 percent from the 3-point line during her freshman year.

"We are very happy for one of the hardest-working players who have come through our program," Duquesne coach Dan Burt said in a news release. "Lauren has overcome significant adversity and injury to help Duquesne be better and now, to lead Spartak Subotica."

Josh Rizzo is the owner and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.