From Penguins Cup Glory to State Championship Champions
At Massa Butler Giglione & Dirlam, we’re thrilled to sponsor Seneca Valley School District’s PIHL Champions and cheer on the incredible effort of these standout athletes. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, parents, and fans who made this championship season possible!
Credit: PHIL Website
Just days after their heart-pounding triple-overtime victory to claim the Penguins Cup, the Seneca Valley Raiders hockey team added another chapter to their incredible season. On March 22, 2025, the Raiders took the ice at Robert Morris Island Sports Center and delivered a commanding 7-2 win over Holy Ghost Prep to secure their first-ever PIHL Class AAA State Championship title.
Despite a brief rally from Holy Ghost Prep, Murtha’s late second-period goal assisted by Owen Martin shifted momentum back to Seneca Valley, and his second goal in the third period further solidified their lead. “Owen worked hard to get the puck to me. All I had to do was finish the job,” Murtha said of his first tally. Coach Tyler Mesisca called it a “huge goal” that changed the game.
Goaltender Christopher Nichols was a wall in net, stopping 24 shots, including clutch saves on Brady Logue’s attempts. “Chris has been doing that for us all year,” Hewitt said. “We believe he’s the best goalie in the PIHL.” Morin scored a hat trick after scoring early in the first period, with his final two in the third period, one during a penalty kill, capping a dominant performance. Read the full story in the Cranberry Eagle article.
For Coach Mesisca, a Seneca Valley alum who fell short in two overtime Penguins Cup finals as a player, this victory was personal. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for these players,” he said. “They worked hard for this moment.” After enduring triple overtime in the Penguins Cup title game, the Raiders’ resilience paid off.
Seneca Valley’s Andrew Malichky (28) lifts the trophy after defeating Holy Ghost Prep in the Pennsylvania Class 3A state championship game Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Robert Morris University’s Island Sports Center. Credit: Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle