A-K Valley athletes of the week: Kiski Area’s Alexis Moyer, Springdale’s Nick Taliani

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 | 11:36 PM

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Alexis Moyer

School: Kiski Area

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Report card: A four-year starter and team captain, Moyer leads Kiski Area (9-6) into the WPIAL Class AAAA postseason with team highs in goals (16) and assists (19). A forward, she netted the winner in a 4-3 win over Section 4-AAAA rival Connellsville and turned in a hat trick in Kiski Area's 8-0 home win over Latrobe.

When did you start playing soccer?

When I was 5 years old. Kiski Area Soccer League.

How do the Cavaliers feel heading into the postseason?

We're super excited and out practicing and we're super focused. (We) worked on where we struggle in certain areas.

How did last year's first-round playoff loss motivate this team to get back to the postseason?

The feeling after that game was unexplainable and was terrible. We don't want to feel like that again.

Is there a team in the section that you and your teammates wished you had another crack at?

I would say Norwin. The game that we played was back and forth and we were up 1-0. It would be a way better game.

How is this team better than last year's team?

There's a lot more motivation and willing to work for every single player on the field and not for yourself.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Zac Efron, Channing Tatum, Ryan Gosling.

What three words best describe you?

Hardworking. Outgoing. Determined.

What actress should play you in a Hollywood movie?

Sandra Bullock. She's a strong driven woman who doesn't take “no” for an answer.

What do you enjoy most about the fall/autumn months?

Going to scare houses with my friends and carving pumpkins.

What's your favorite subject at school?

Math.

Something interesting about you that nobody knows?

When I was 3 years old, I had to get 10 stitches above my right eye. I was a 3-year-old wandering around and a trailer hitch fell on top of me.

What are your plans for after high school?

I'm going to attend Clarion, continue my soccer career there and study nutrition and fitness.

Nick Taliani

School: Springdale

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Report card: The Dynamos have scored 73 goals this season and Taliani assisted on 18 of them. A four-year starter, Taliani added a goal and two assists in the Class-A playoff-bound Dynamos' 9-0 win over California on Monday. He also starts at guard for the Springdale basketball team and plays shortstop on the baseball team.

When did you start playing soccer?

Ever since I was 4 years old.

How difficult was it to get through Section 3-A this season?

It was the most competitive section in single A and challenging at times going up against North Catholic and our rivals in Riverview.

How did last year's first-round playoff loss motivate this team to get back to the postseason?

After feeling like we felt (losing 3-2) in double overtime versus Freedom, we never wanted to feel that way again and we were just back and hungry for more.

Have the Dynamos gone unnoticed during the regular season?

I feel like we're a little underrated and after the 1-0 loss to North Catholic in overtime we made some noise in the section.

What's the strength of this year's team?

I would say it's the team chemistry. We have seven seniors on this team who have been playing together.

How deep of a postseason run can the Dynamos make?

I would say WPIAL championship.

How is this team different than last year's team?

We all got faster, smarter with the ball and we really learned from experience. We know what it takes to win.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Conor McGregor, Donald Trump and Le'Veon Bell.

What three words best describe you?

Athletic. Kind. Humble.

What actor should play you in a Hollywood movie?

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

What's your favorite subject at school?

Math. It's probably my strongest subject.

Something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I always wanted to play hockey. I never really got the chance and didn't have a team.

What are your plans for after high school?

Go to a four-year college or university and study engineering.

— William Whalen