Let the dance begin.
The PIAA girls’ soccer playoffs, now with a bigger and more competitive field than ever, begin Tuesday and from the first game on, it’s win or go home.
In the Class AAA bracket, two teams are attempting to win their third straight state title. On the top half of the bracket is Cumberland Valley, the two-time defending PIAA spring champion. On the bottom half is Peters Twp., the two-time defending PIAA fall champion.
The Eagles, the No. 4 seed out of District 3, don’t have an easy road ahead of them. In the first round, CV will hit the road to West Chester East High School to face District 1 champion Strath Haven at 7 p.m.
If the Eagles are fortunate enough to win, they will play either District 2 champion Abington Heights or District 3 runner-up Lower Dauphin. The last time CV faced Lower Dauphin was in the district semifinals, where the Falcons recorded a 3-0 thumping over the Eagles.
The Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division has another representative in the Class AAA Tournament: State College. The Little Lions took just fourth place in the Commonwealth this season, but are in states after taking the District 6 championship.
Other District 3 entries are Governor Mifflin and Wilson.
Class AA
After logging major mileage as the No. 1 seed in the District 3 tournament, Trinity gets to stay close to home after topping Northern 3-0 in the district championship game.
The Shamrocks will face District 2 runner-up Berwick at Hersheypark Stadium at 5 p.m. If Trinity wins, it will face either District 6 champion Forest Hills or District 7 runner-up Moon in the quarterfinals.
The Polar Bears have a longer road in front of them, opening with District 4 champion Selinsgrove at Loyalsock High School at 5 p.m. If Northern wins, it will face either District 2 champion Scranton Prep or District 11 runner-up Northwestern Lehigh.
Also representing District 3 is Wyomissing.
Class A
District 3 has three representatives at the PIAA Tournament.
District champion Tulpehocken faces District 4 runner-up East Juniata and district runner-up Lancaster Country Day takes on a District 1 champion to be determined. District 3’s No. 3 seed, York Catholic, will play District 6 champion Bishop McCort in the first round.