The Pine-Richland High School girls' soccer team brought home enough hardware in the past three seasons to give True Value some competition.

The Rams won six championship trophies during that span -- three Section 2-AAA titles, two WPIAL and one PIAA.

This year, however, the Rams (6-4-3, 5-3-2 before scheduled matches Friday against North Hills and last night against Penn Hills) are not going to win the section championship for a fourth consecutive season.

Nonetheless, coach Jodi Chmielewski recently reminded her team of the program's successful tradition.

With three section games remaining on the schedule, Pine-Richland is in a position to finish strong in hopes of securing its 10th WPIAL playoff berth in the past 11 years.

"We know the section title is unattainable, but we've talked about upholding the winning tradition of making it to the playoffs," Chmielewski said. "Once you qualify, anything is possible after that. "We're looking to have a strong finish."

Having lost four Division 1 players from the program over the past two years, a transition season could be expected this year.

Pine-Richland entered the season with five returning senior starters, including all-state honorees Katie Wise and Christie Kimball, a four-year starter at goalkeeper.

Wise, also a four-year starter, has played center midfield and defense most of her career. Due to a concussion incurred recently, she missed four games, including losses to section-leading Seneca Valley, 2-1, on Sept. 29 and to second-place North Allegheny, 1-0, on Sept. 27.

Wise is being recruited by Akron and Kent State. Kimball is also being sought by several Division 1 programs, but Chiemlewski said she is not sure her standout keeper will continue her soccer career beyond high school.

"She's looking for the school that fits her best academically," Chmielewski said.

"To have Christie in goal has been a confidence boost for our players," Chmielewski said. "She has the experience and leadership. The senior class has experienced so much success in the past. I think everybody is pulling for them to finish their careers on a high note."

"Not having Kate Wise has definitely hurt us. Getting her back will be a lift for the team spirits. I think we'll bring it up another notch when she's back. Regardless of where she plays on the field, whether in an attacking position or in the back, I think her speed brings an element that other teams have a tough time matching."

The other experienced senior starters include all-section center midfielder Tori Pikur and outside midfielders Lindsay Thill and Mallory Miller, a four-year letter-winner.

There are three non-senior returning starters in the lineup as well, junior defender Katie Brown, junior center midfielder Sarah Lusby and sophomore forward Stacey Weismann, the team's leading goal-scorer. Junior first-year starters include defenders Dani Siegrist, Emily Levier and Lauren Deasy.

Sophomore Claire Butterfield has been the top player off the bench. She started at center midfield for several games during Wise's absence.

With section games left only against teams below it in the standings, Pine-Richland is in a great position to gain momentum coming down the stretch toward a possible playoff run.

"Without a doubt, Seneca Valley was the favorite; they won the WPIAL title last year and returned 9 of 11 starters," Chiemlewski "We knew they were going to be strong and NA has been solid, so we knew they were going to be competitive as well. They have a lot of strong players.

"As far as Seneca Valley and NA, they are what we expected. I think we've struggled a little bit more in some of our other section games, which was a little bit unexpected.'

"I feel we're playing well, but we're having trouble finishing. That's been a little bit tougher for them this year. We've played a lot of close games and have had some ties [against Mars 0-0 and Butler, 1-1]. And our last games against Seneca and NA were really close games and we had our opportunities.

"The kids' attitude has been great and they're working hard. We just haven't gotten the breaks. Sometimes, you need some lucky bounces to win those tight games."