Fox Chapel girls soccer uses speed to go on long postseason run

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, November 5, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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Fox Chapel’s underdog run through the WPIAL Class 4A postseason wasn’t just the result of an October victory. The Foxes blazing a path to the championship game at Highmark Stadium started by challenging one another during training camp in August.

Those battles continued through routine practices in September or any time they could find the time.

“I think we all try to match each other’s speed and energy,” junior forward Alyssa Quackenbush said. “We all build off each other and try to match each other. When we are going against someone who is faster or is more conditioned, we want to try and keep up.”

The sixth-seeded Foxes, who last won a WPIAL title in 1985, ran circles around their opponents in the Class 4A playoffs. Fox Chapel beat South Hills heavyweights Peters Township and Upper St. Clair, 5-1 and 5-2, to reach the WPIAL title game against North Allegheny on Nov. 2.

Results of the match against the Tigers were too late for this edition. North Allegheny swept two matches between the teams in the regular season, 4-3 and 3-2.

Second-year coach Carlo Prati said he encourages his athletes to compete in other sports. Seven girls on Fox Chapel’s roster also run track.

“I think it’s helpful because it’s easy to get burnt out by a sport if you are constantly playing it every day,” Quackenbush said. “Having another sport to play allows you to stay in shape and still have an outlet coming into the school soccer season. Then you’re pumped because you haven’t played.”

Quackenbush said everyone was excited for this season. The Foxes won five of their first six matches to build energy early. Fox Chapel averaged 3.7 goals per game this season.

The Foxes (12-4-2) were always eager to push the pace. Having the endurance to back up the tempo allowed Fox Chapel to lean on its conditioning late in matches.

“Our speed up top can be a factor,” Prati said. “We utilize that game in and game out. We know we can use our speed up top and be consistent in the back. If we don’t give anything up, we’ll be fine. We’ve done a good job of tiring teams out.”

Senior Kate Friday and Quackenbush each scored two goals against Upper St. Clair. Quackenbush believed Fox Chapel was able to outpace Peters Township and Upper St. Clair.

“Speed is a great advantage of ours,” Quackenbush said. “In the second half of the past two games we played, we were able to play at the same speed and outrun them.”

Fox Chapel has assured itself of a spot in the state playoffs by making the WPIAL finals.

The Foxes are hoping to continue to utilize their speed advantage at the state level. Fox Chapel has a team capable of keeping up the pace.

“I’m not the kind of coach who only wants you playing soccer all year long,” Prati said. “I played all kinds of other sports in high school. I feel like a well-rounded athlete is great. They are all super competitive and have been workhorses for me all year long.”

Tags: Fox Chapel