Girls Soccer Season Preview: Western Pennsylvania Teams Eye Championship Renewal
The 2026 girls soccer season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with several teams looking to rebound from last year’s runner‑up finishes and reclaim their places atop the WPIAL and PIAA brackets.
Burrell enters the campaign with ten returning starters and a clear focus on daily improvement after finishing as both WPIAL and PIAA Class 2A runners‑up. Coach Frank Nesko emphasizes a fresh start, and senior midfielder McKenna Miller, who will continue her career at La Salle, will be joined by standouts such as Makiah Buchak, Katie Koehler, Eva Wilson and Parker Moore.
Freeport will have to navigate the loss of all‑WPIAL forward Cam Woods, who is sidelined by an ACL injury. In his absence, juniors CeCe Schlegel, Brinley Sullivan and Alyssa Cooper are expected to provide the leadership that propelled the team to a strong previous season.
Fox Chapel’s Emily McKee, the 2025 Valley News Dispatch Player of the Year and a preseason Moe Rosensteel Award nominee, aims to guide the team toward a third WPIAL title in four years, adding a potent attacking option to the lineup.
Coaching Changes and Emerging Leaders
Springdale’s Jeff Boulos takes over from Marc Bentley, inheriting a core that includes returning players Genevieve Conklin and Tessa Derringer. Both are expected to drive the team’s push for another section championship.
Deer Lakes coach Frank Accetta blends seasoned seniors Tessa Hollibaugh and Cadence Drum with younger talent, positioning the team for a solid showing as it returns to Section 2 play.
Plum, riding a 36‑game winning streak, faces stiff competition from Kiski Area, Franklin Regional and others in Section 4‑3A. Coach Jamie Stewart’s squad will look to extend its dominance while confronting new challenges.
Kiski Area’s Dave Anderson, now in his twelfth consecutive year of playoff aspirations, relies on standouts Ellie Arnold and Addison Buffone to keep the team in contention for another WPIAL berth.
Highlands returns to WPIAL competition after a two‑year independent stretch, bringing back seniors Natalie Dickerson and Ella Prager to lead a 28‑player roster under coach Seth Dickerson.
Riverview’s Mary Quinlan, an all‑WPIAL honoree, will once again anchor the Raiders’ attack, aiming for a sixth straight playoff appearance.
Apollo‑Ridge’s Maia Ferra will count on sophomore Olivia Hill and Sara Murphy, who contributed to the team’s lone victory last season against Ligonier Valley, as they look to build momentum in Section 4‑A.