WEXFORD — With all of the firepower it possesses on offense, odds were the Seneca Valley boys soccer team would find a way to finally score a goal against Canon-McMillan.

Twelve days after losing to the Big Macs 1-0 in the WPIAL semifinals, the Raiders found themselves mired in a scoreless tie late in the second half of Saturday's PIAA Class AAA quarterfinal playoff at North Allegheny's Newman Stadium.

But in the 70th minute of play, Griffin Mathew's pass found Matt Saluga, who buried the game's lone goal past Canon-McMillan goalkeeper Christian Snatchko.

The 1-0 victory sends the Raiders to the state semifinals where they will face Springfield, the fourth-place team out of District 1, Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

Mathew's composure in the midst of a key sequence was just as important as Saluga booting the ball into the net.

The former received a pass from the Raiders' end and dribbled down the right sideline. Running out of room, he turned left and made his move toward the Big Macs' net. Avoiding a defender, he sent a pinpoint pass to Saluga, who ended the Raiders' drought against Canon-McMillan.

“That was a great play on the ball by Griffin,” said SV coach George Williams. “He used patience. His ability to move along the baseline and get the ball to Matt, it was a world-class play.”

Big Macs' coach Larry Fingers, who watched his team claim the WPIAL title just a week ago, was content with his team's effort.

“I was really happy with how our guys played tonight and felt we had the better of the play for large portions of the game,” he said. “We don't like losing, but Seneca Valley is a very good team.”

Just like the earlier meeting between the teams, the Raiders had an advantage in shots on goal (9-4) and corner kicks (4-2) on Saturday. Only this time, it was the Raiders coming away with the win.

“Canon-McMillan is a really strong team,” said Mathew, “but we beat them with our skill and pace. We were more ready for this game and had better communication than the first time we played them.”

The Raiders (17-2-1) had multiple chances to get up on the Big Macs before scoring the goal. In the 16th minute, Mathew headed the ball toward the left side of the net, but Snatchko made a diving save.

Saluga and Adam Mascio both had shots from within 15 yards, but Snatchko again kept the game scoreless.

“We've done that before, where we have early chances and can't take advantage of them,” said Williams, “but usually, someone ends up scoring for us.”

Snatchko made eight saves. Seneca Valley goalkeeper Luke Pecora earned the win with four saves and received great defensive play in front of him.

“We just shut out the WPIAL champion,” said Williams. “Our defense could not have played any better tonight. We did everything as a team.”

Seneca Valley had never qualified for the state playoffs before this season and the Raiders have proved that they want to make it as long a ride as possible. One more win and their journey will take them to Hershey for the state championship.

“We're a family, that's how we look at it,” Mathew said. “There's going to be ups and downs. Sometimes life throws you a few bumps in the road and you just have to learn how to get over them.”