Holding on to pins and needles, the girls soccer team strives for gold. With an impressive record of 10-0 for in-section play, the girls earned themselves the seventh consecutive Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Girls Soccer Class 1A Section Three Championship and qualified for the WPIAL playoffs.

With a perfect record, the girls were able to gain high standing in the WPIAL play-off with a fifth seed ranking. In the first round of playoffs on Oct. 23, the girls played Aquinas Academy and dominated with a score of 7-1. Renae Mohrbacher, Olivia Evans, Julia Mohrbacher, Finley Paxton and Shaye Bailey were able to break through the Crusaders’ defense to land the ball in the back of the net for the Bulldogs.

After the big win and making a huge statement, the Bulldogs were faced with Bishop Canevin in the quarter-final game on Oct. 27. The Bulldogs did not lay back after the first win, as they went to put out a shutout on the Crusaders with a score of 9-0. Both Renae Mohrbacher and Bailey stunned the crowd as they both created chaos for the defense and came home each with a hat trick.

With two victories, the Lady Bulldogs took on season rivals and top-seeded Greensburg Central Catholic on Nov. 1. In their previous regular season match, the girls fell short. Unfortunately, they came home empty-handed as they lost 4-3. Renae Mohrbacher was the only one who could break the line and counted for all of the Bulldogs’ goals. This loss for the Bulldogs ended their quest for Highmark and another WPIAL Championship.

All hopes were not lost after the Greensburg Central Catholic game, the girls were in a need-to-win situation. Any other loss would cause the end of the season for the Bulldogs, but due to a consolation game, the Bulldogs were still alive for a PIAA berth.

The girls traveled down Route 19 to face Springdale at North Allegheny High School on Nov. 3. The pressure of needing a win did not fear the Bulldogs as they went on to beat the Dynamos with a score of 6-0. Finding their way to the scoreboard were Bailey, Renae Mohrbacher and Grace White. 

“We continued to improve and become a better team with each game,” Renae Mohrbacher said. 

Still alive in the PIAA Playoffs, the girls took on Windber on Nov. 9. Facing the Ramblers’ home field advantage, the Bulldogs pulled away with a score of 4-2. Both Mohrbacher sisters counted for the four goals.

Advancing to the quarterfinals, the Bulldogs were looking for revenge as they were paired up to play Greensburg Central Catholic. Facing already two losses to the Centurions, the girls were not going to let them come through with a third victory. The game was held on Nov. 13 at West Allegheny. The scoreboard stayed clear up until the 25-minute marker in the first half as the Centurions got a goal off a deflection. The Bulldogs were unable to gain back the lead and fell short with the lone goal.

This loss put a wrap on their season and heartache to their State Championship goals. 

“I would say our team accomplished so much. I’m proud of what we’ve done over the years of playing together and will definitely look back on the great memories,” Renae Mohrbacher said.