District soccer crowns up for grabs
For the second straight year, teams that finished the regular season unbeaten will battle it out for the District 1 AAA boys' and girls' soccer titles.
For the second straight year, teams that finished the regular season unbeaten will battle it out for the District 1 AAA boys' and girls' soccer titles.
In the boys' tournament, Unionville (16-0-2), will try to be the second straight team from the Ches-Mont to capture the AAA title. The Indians have demonstrated grit and defensive prowess throughout the regular season, earning nine shutouts and winning six one-goal games.
Last year's champion, Great Valley, is the No. 14 seed this season and will face Owen J. Roberts (14-6) in the first round. Other games to watch include a first-round contest between Central Bucks East (16-2) and Central Bucks West (10-6-2), as well as Lower Merion (11-6-1) at Boyertown (15-5).
On the girls' side, Pennsbury (15-0-3) has outscored opponents by 53-8 on its way to the top seed, not allowing more than a single goal in any contest.
Last year, Neshaminy (10-5-3) and C.B. East (14-2-2) met in the semifinals of the state tournament. This year they could find themselves facing off in the second round, as the defending district and state champions, Neshaminy, are the 15 seed this year.
Other interesting possible matchups in the girls' tournament include second-round meetings between Garnet Valley (12-4-2) and Boyertown, as well as Pennridge (14-1-3) vs. Council Rock South (11-6-1).
In Class AA, on the boys' side, Holy Ghost Prep (13-4-1), and on the girls', Villa Joseph Marie (16-1) will both be looking to win their fourth straight district title.
The Firebirds captured the state championship a year ago, while the Jems advanced to the semifinals in the state playoffs.
Only the district champion advances to the state tournament for Classes AA and A, while five squads will have a chance to compete for a state title in AAA.
Here are the pairings for the PIAA District 1 tournaments, which begin Tuesday. Seeded position is in parentheses.
District 1 Boys
Class AAA
TUESDAY
Unionville (1), bye; Pennsbury (16) vs Radnor (17); Downingtown West (25) at West Chester Henderson (8); North Penn (9) vs West Chester East (24); Wissahickon (4), bye; Lower Merion (20) at Boyertown (13); Central Bucks East (5) vs Central Bucks West (28); Methacton (21) at Strath Haven (12); Neshaminy (2), bye; Springfield (Delco) (18) vs Harriton (18); Marple Newton (26) at Plymouth Whitemarsh (7); West Chester Rustin (10) vs Interboro (23); Conestoga (3), bye; Owen J. Roberts (19) at Great Valley (14); Penncrest (6) vs Abington (27); Downingtown East (22) at Kennett (11)
Class AA
WEDNESDAY
Springfield (Mont.) (4) vs Bishop Shanahan (5); Holy Ghost Prep (1), bye; Pottsgrove (2), bye; Lower Moreland (3), bye Class A Wednesday: Plumstead Christian (1), bye; Calvary Christian (5) at Faith Christian (4); Calvary Bapist (2) vs Christopher Dock (7); Devon Prep (6) at New Hope-Solebury (3)
District 1 Girls
Class AAA
TUESDAY
Pennsbury (1), bye; Central Bucks West (16) vs Downingtown West (17); Penncrest (25) at Strath Haven (8); Phoenixville (9) vs William Tennent (24); West Chester Rustin (4), bye; Great Valley (20) at Plymouth Whitemarsh (13); Boyertown (5) vs Upper Dublin (28); Wissahickon (21) at Garnet Valley (12); Central Bucks East (2), bye; Neshaminy (15) vs West Chester East (18); West Chester Henderson (18) at Spring-Ford (7); Conestoga (19) vs Mount St. Joseph (23); Pennridge (3), bye; Unionville (19) at Council Rock South (14); Council Rock North (6) vs Owen J. Roberts (27); Central Bucks South (22) at Downingtown East (11)
Class AA
WEDNESDAY
Villa Joseph Marie (1), bye; Pope John Paul II (4) vs Spingfield (Mont.) (5); Upper Perkiomen (7) at Lower Moreland (2); Gwynedd Mercy (3) vs Villa Maria (6)
Class A
OCT. 27
Calvary Christian (4) at Christopher Dock (1); Delco Christian (2) vs New Hope Solebury (3)