Youth/High School Soccer

Downingtown West stuns Conestoga, gives Pioneers first early postseason exit since 2018

Published

3 weeks ago

October 23, 2025

Downingtown West came to Teamer Field on Thursday after with an upset on their minds and thanks to the heroics of Alex Shearer, Aidan Benner and Nolan Russell they pulled off a feat all too unfamiliar in PIAA playoffs over the past decade: giving Conestoga an early exit.

The Whippets advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA District 1 with a 4-1 win over the Pioneers that was capped by a stunning goal from 25 yards out by Russell. The win also avenged a 2-1 loss the Whippets suffered at home to Conestoga a month ago.

Downingtown West took down Conestoga today in the PIAA District 1 playoffs and this unreal Nolan Russell goal sealed it. pic.twitter.com/TNB1a9ZWMP

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) October 24, 2025

Conestoga has made a habit of district and state finals in recent years with the double in 2021 and 2023 and made it to the district final in each of the last four seasons. Their last early exit came in 2018 when they lost 1-0 to Council Rock North as the No. 1 seed.

Downingtown West hasn’t advanced to the district quarterfinals in a decade and will now have the difficult task of traveling to play at Abington on Saturday.

Up Next

Eckert and classmates aiming for fourth PCL title in final high school match

Don't Miss

St. Hubert’s Luca D’Andrea hoping third time is a charm against Wood

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.