2 goals for Ligonier Valley boys soccer: make playoffs, have fun

By: Mike Kovak
Friday, August 23, 2019 | 8:31 PM

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In his quarter century of coaching the Ligonier Valley boys soccer team, Kip Crumrine has gained valuable perspective.

The man who started the program 25 years ago is willing to teach whoever signs up to play, no matter the level of experience.

Most importantly, Crumrine wants to makes things fun for the players.

“We have guys who never played soccer outside of our program who developed here and became good players because they have a blast and developed a love for the sport,” Crumrine said. “Anybody who comes out is a part of the team. Not many guys who come out don’t continue through their senior year.”

Ligonier Valley has had success under Crumrine, who played collegiately at Ohio. The Rams won three consecutive District 6 championships from 2000-02 and once reached the PIAA quarterfinals.

But the program doesn’t measure itself in terms of wins and losses. Typically, Ligonier Valley doesn’t field many players who play cup or travel ball. Mostly, the Rams are a group of multisport athletes hoping to jell during the season.

This year’s group is no different.

“We have a really good mix, a good group of close-knit guys,” Crumrine said. “The guys we have are committed to being here.”

Things will revolve around senior Jacob Fry, a four-year starter who plays outside of the high school team and will start the season at center midfield.

“He’s our top player,” Crumrine said. “He’s the guy, if I put him up front, he’ll lead us in goals. If I put him on defense, he’d be our best defender. I need him most at midfield right now. Hopefully, other guys step up and I can move (Fry) up front, where he can score more goals.”

Fry is part of a five-player senior class with Michael Garby, Tyler Hritz, Zeke Mariotti and Colby Vavrek. All were letterwinners a year ago.

Fry and Mariotti, a defender, are among six returning starters from a team that finished 6-9 last season. Juniors Wesley Smykal and Jonathon Manges and sophomores Parkes Morford and Jonathan Donaldson are the others.

“One thing we really need to work on is our vision on the soccer field,” Fry said. “We need to learn where to be as a group.”

That’s where the experienced players are needed most, but they’re providing other intangibles, too.

“We’ve done a lot of conditioning,” Mariotti said. “Usually, our team is low-energy and not real vocal. We’re trying to change that. We’re trying to provide better leadership.”

The Rams go for daily three-mile runs, Crumrine included. What Ligonier Valley might lack collectively in terms of footwork and game experience, it wants to make up for in terms of conditioning and camaraderie.

It’s a formula Crumrine believes can get Ligonier Valley back into the postseason.

First, the Rams hope to fare better against Heritage Conference rivals United and Northern Cambria. Conference champion West Shamokin is the defending District 6 champ and should be strong again this season despite losing several key players to graduation.

“We should be better than half the teams we’re playing,” Crumrine said. “We need to be .500 to reach the playoffs. … I see us being better than .500 and making the playoffs because I think we’ll surprise a few teams.”

Tags: Ligonier Valley