New leaders emerge, hope to keep Bethel Park boys soccer on top of section

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 11:01 AM

The Bethel Park boys soccer team racked up a 13-0-1 record in section play and ended up 15-3-1 overall in 2023.

What can the Black Hawks do for an encore?

“It will be very difficult to replace our strong senior core from last season,” coach Doug Fink said, “which included Henry Gaston, an all-WPIAL selection now playing at the California Institute of Technology, and Adam Thompson, another all-WPIAL selection who is now playing at Geneva College.

“That’s the beauty of high school soccer. We need the next group of players to step up and take the responsibility of competing for titles.”

Fink, now in his seventh year as field boss, expects the Black Hawks to challenge for another section championship in 2024 then make a deep run in the postseason.

“Our team was left disappointed after winning the section last year but losing to Indiana on penalty kicks in the first round of the playoffs,” he said.

Although the seniors on last year’s team — Gaston, Thompson, Dylan DeClair, Arpan Gurung, Tommy Bova and Carmin Yimin — have graduated, there still are talented players on current squad.

“We were section champions last season, and our mindset is on doing that again this year,” said Jackson Friday, a senior midfielder. “We have a target on our back because of that, but we have many talented players. I’m looking forward to making a deeper playoff run this year.

“My goals are to lead this team to a successful season while also exploring my future college prospects. I’ve spoken with a couple of coaches already and am optimistic to play for a school that furthers my talent and has strong academic programs.”

Along with Friday, other key returning players at BP include, from the senior class, midfielders Ethan Varley, Max Lemessurier and Nate Disori; forwards Colin Hewes and Ali Yasin; defenders Evan Chichwak and Michael Taylor; and juniors Youssef Benrabia, Xavier Jackson and Josh Pantin at forward; Gavin DeClair and Jonah Stearman on defense, Cooper Kicinski at midfield, and goalkeeper Luke Rubican.

Luke Yimin, a defender, also is back for his sophomore season while others looking to contribute include juniors Tyler Benlock (MF), Brady McCarthy (D) and Jacob Coffield (GK) and sophomores Owen Bileck (F) and Aaden McClelland (MF).

“All of them saw action on the varsity team last season and will definitely contribute in a greater role during this season,” Fink said.

Rowan Darr, Jason Koerbel, Andrew Hughes, Jake Lang, Pravas Dahal, Tommy Opferman, Julian Koontz, Cooper Biagini and Ellis Stearman also made the varsity team.

However, Devin Palombia, expected back as a senior midfielder, graduated early.

“We will definitely miss Devin’s work rate,” said his coach.

Lemessurier believes Bethel Park can win a second consecutive section championship in ‘24.

“I’m sure we all have similar goals,” Lemessurier said, “one of which is to go back to back as section champion. And there’s no doubt in my mind we can accomplish that goal.

“We have several returning players and many younger players who are ready to step up and play big roles. We are all ready to make a deep run in the playoffs. We have such great team chemistry on and off the field, which contributes heavily to our success.”

Lemessurier is looking to have a productive senior season and be a team leader.

“My main goals for this year are to step up and lead and to contribute as much as I can,” he said. “It’s my senior year, so I’m ready to do all that I can to help the team succeed.”

Watch for Friday and Jackson to form a tough one-two punch up front throughout the year. DeClair and Yimin lead the team’s defensive corps.

“We have been working on team fitness and our overall shape and formations,” Fink said prior to the start of the regular season. “We scrimmaged South Park and Montour. They both have great coaches and were true tests for us.”

Bethel Park is in Section 2-3A along with Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands, McKeesport, Ringgold, South Fayette, Thomas Jefferson and Trinity.

The four playoff qualifiers in the section last year were Bethel Park, TJ (12-1-1), Ringgold (9-4-1) and Trinity (8-5-1).

The Black Hawks lost their 2023 season opener then recorded 16 victories in a row as not one opponent scored more than one goal and seven were shut out.

Bethel Park and TJ staged two tug-of-war type games in section play with the Black Hawks winning 2-1 and playing to a 0-0 stalemate.

Varley expects the Black Hawks to compete for the section title this season then have a strong playoff performance.

“My personal goals are to be a good leader and be a good influence for the younger players,” he said.

Fink took time to applaud the efforts and support of his assistant coaches — Jay Zeminski, Josh Kicinski, Mike Stearman and Josh Woodman.

“I would like to thank our entire coaching staff for their tremendous work and passion in helping our student-athletes to become better people (and) soccer players,” Fink said.

The Black Hawks edged Trinity, 1-0, in two overtimes Sept. 12 as Jackson scored the winning goal and Coffield and Rubican combined on the shutout.

Bethel Park improved to 4-2 overall and 4-1 in the section.

Tags: Bethel Park