LM's State Playoff History

Since the PIAA State Playoffs began in 1973, Aces' teams have qualified 7 times. Each year the field consists of 16 teams from across the state, with the stronger soccer districts, like District 1 & District 3, qualifying several teams. Below you'll see the results for all LM's qualifying teams, in the order of how far they advanced.

1985: In the 1st round the Aces faced Bethlehem Freedom, who at the time was ranked #1 in the state. LM scored on a PK and took that lead all the way into the final minute of regulation. With just 6 seconds left Freedom tied it up, and went on to win on PK's.

2007: In the 1st round, coming off a season that already included a Central League Title & District 1 Crown, the Aces lost a heartbreaker to Central Dauphin 2-1.

1986: In the 1st round the Aces faced the same team that beat them the year before on PK's, Bethlehem Freedom. This time LM exacted their revenge, and after a 1-1 deadlock, the Aces were the penalty kick winners. In the quarter-finals LM led Great Valley 1-0 going into the last 6 minutes of regulation, and gave up 2 goals to lose 2-1.

2008: In the 1st round, sporting an 18-1-1 record, the Aces destroyed Parkland 3-0. In the quarter-final LM faced Neshaminy, the team that beat them on PK's in the District 1 semi-final. After the Aces jumped out to a 2-0 lead, Neshaminy tied it up 2-2 to take the game to PK's once again. The result was the same, Neshaminy moved on.

2010: In the 1st round, with a District 1 Title under their belt, the Aces defeated Mechanicburg 2-1. In the quarter-finals they lost to a very good Central Bucks East team 2-0.

1984: Playing in the PIAA State Playoffs for their first time ever, the Aces defeated Conrad Weiser 2-1 in the 1st round. The quarter-finals saw a wild shootout with Millville, with LM prevailing 5-4 in OT. In the semi-finals the Aces played the #1 ranked team in the state, Mount Lebanon, to a 0-0 tie, and then beat them in PK's to advance to the final. There LM lost to District 1 Champion Neshaminy 1-0.

1988: Coming in as the defending State Champions, the Aces beat a feisty Boyertown side 2-1 in OT in the 1st round. In the quarter-finals LM slipped by Abington Heights 2-1. In the semi-finals they faced Great Valley, the team they beat 3-0 in the District 1 final. This game was no different as LM notched another shutout, 2-0, to advance to the State Final. There the Aces lost 3-1 to Conestoga, the team they beat in the District 1 semi-final. This has been the only year in the 38 year history of the PIAA State Playoffs where 2 teams from the same league faced each other in the state final.

1987: Having won 4 Central League Titles in a row, the Aces squeaked by Emmaus 3-2 in the 1st round. In the quarter-finals they beat Central Bucks East 1-0, the same team who beat them on PK's in the District 1 semi-finals. In the semi-finals LM faced their arch-rivals Strath Haven, who were the defending State Champions. After regulation & 4 overtime periods, the game went to penalties. The Aces won on the 6th kick to advance to the State Final. There they faced a powerful Fox Chapel team, and after regulation, it was tied 1-1 once again. In OT LM scored on a PK to win their 1st, and so far their only, PIAA State Championship.