Langley girls’ soccer

           The Langley girls’ soccer team, a City League semifinalist, should have been playing in a first round game Tuesday in the PIAA playoffs.

            The game would have likely been played at Cupples Stadium on the South Side where the Mustangs played ten games this regular season and one playoff game.

            But that game, against WPIAL runner-up South Park never happened.

            Apparently Langley, who went 10-5 this season and 7-3 in the City League to finish second, did not have enough players to compete on Tuesday because a large majority of the team began basketball practices already.

            Langley coach Nikki Bobitski was unable to comment on the situation but did confirm that her team was unable to play in the PIAA playoffs.

            Mars coach Blair Gerlach did comment.

            “They withdrew from the whole competition which completely ruins the integrity of the tournament,” Gerlach said. “What if someone gets hurt, what if there is a wacky upset?”

            City League teams generally struggle in the PIAA playoffs but Langley showed promise this season. It upset Obama Academy during the regular season 2-1. Obama Academy went on to the win the City League and represented District 8 in the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.