No. 3 North Catholic boys soccer thumps Burrell to once again return to WPIAL quarterfinals
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North Catholics' Matthew Liscinsky (9) drives to the net against a Burrell defender in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholics' Jake Olkowski (10) watches the Burrell goalie stop his shot in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic huddles before the game starts in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholics' Shane Schollaert (8) attempts to score against Burrell in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholics' Ryan ueser (23) attempts a header against Burrell in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholics' Colin Pilla (6) dribbles the ball against Burrell in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholics' Ryan Mueser (23) scores against Burrell in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholics' Colin Pilla (6) scores on a header against Burrell in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholics' Ryan Mueser (23) celebrates Colin Pilla's (6) goal in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholics' Jake Olkowski (10) attempts to score against Burrell in a WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer first-round game Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
ADAMS TWP — There was reason to bet against North Catholic boys soccer this fall after it graduated 10 starters from 2025.
Yet, here the third-seeded Trojans are, preparing for a WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal after crushing Burrell 6-0 in the first round Monday at Mars Athletic Complex.
“Our guys played JV a lot longer than they needed to,” North head coach Scott Schlegel said. “But that’s where they could get touches and playing time.
“The way they have adjusted to the speed of the varsity game, that’s been a pleasant surprise.”
North has allowed just eight goals all season, thanks in part to goalie Logan Mueser, who made several challenging saves Monday to keep the No. 14 Bucs (11-6-3) off the scoreboard.
“Our defense does a good job of keeping him clean, but you need your goalie to come up with clutch saves and he has done that,” Schlegel said.
“The defense is our anchor,” said senior forward Matt Liscinsky, who scored twice in the first half against Burrell. “It wins balls to get us back in possession and makes good pushes forward to help the attack.”
Also scoring for North were Jake Olkowski, Ryan Mueser, Colin Pilla and Evan Sherer.
The Trojans (16-1-2) will face Shady Side Academy, a 3-0 winner over Seton LaSalle, in Thursday’s quarterfinal at a site and time to be determined.
The Trojans fell to Deer Lakes in the quarterfinals the last two years. The Lancers, seeded No. 2 this season, went on to win the district crown a year ago.
