A-K Valley athletes of the week: Fox Chapel’s Kate Friday, Burrell’s Ryan Croushore

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, November 4, 2023 | 3:12 PM

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Kate Friday

Class: Senior

School: Fox Chapel

Sport: Soccer

Report card: Friday’s goal 35 seconds into overtime Thursday gave Fox Chapel its first WPIAL girls soccer title since 1985 as they defeated No. 1 North Allegheny, 1-0, in the Class 4A title game. The senior midfielder also had two goals in a semifinal win over Upper St. Clair. A Xavier commit and All-WPIAL selection, she now has 14 goals and 21 assists this season for the Foxes (13-4-2).

How did it feel to win the WPIAL championship Thursday?

It was amazing. It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt just being surrounded by all my teammates. The fact we were ranked so much lower than NA and no one expected us to win it, It was a great feeling. Our coaches were excited. A Lot of people came and supported us.

What was the feeling of the team like on the bus ride back to school?

We were all super loud, dancing, laughing, singing, looking at pictures they took of us. I had less photos than I thought I did because we were living in the moment. We were jumping, dancing, how we always are when we win games. We were all really happy and really tired too. Our emotions were all over the place.

How did you guys celebrate?

We’re all ordering shirts for the championship that say 3-2-1 because we beat the 3 seed, the No. 2 and No. 1. All of my teachers reached out from middle school and elementary school and told me how proud they were of me and the team. Even the class that won in 1985, they all sent us videos wishing us luck and told us to take every opportunity as it comes and remember this game the rest of our lives. It was really cool to see because they were the first team to win the WPIAL championship. Everyone was very supportive, our entire community, they all were posting about us on their stories and the teachers were congratulating us.

What was it like to play in front of all your fans at Highmark Stadium?

Playing at Highmark Stadium was one of the best feelings I’ve had in my entire life. You can’t get a better feeling than that. All the fans supporting us, the bench was so loud. It makes such a difference. If we’re down in a game or winning the game, they’re always giving us confidence and boosting us up. The boys soccer team came and stepped up and cheered for us. It all made it 10 times more exciting. It made us want to prove to our community that we can win.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

Our transitions are doing really well. We’re definitely a second half team. First half we’re a little unsteady. Once we get into a groove and get touches on the ball and move the ball we can be dangerous in the second half. We step it up. We know we have to push ourselves the last couple minutes of the game. Also, right now we’re really close as a team. We have a very strong freshman class that really helped. We have depth off the bench too. We’ve grown to be really close.

What are your goals for the state playoffs?

We want to take each game as it comes. It’s going to be a harder challenge, tougher teams, the best in the state. It’s going to be more competitive. We need to work our hardest every single game. Our next step is to get rest for a couple days and then get right back into it at practice.

What is your role on this team?

I’m a captain with Sydney Schutzman and Anna Troutman. My role is to lead the team and when there isn’t momentum to bring momentum to the field, not only by saying it but by showing it. Just being able to change the momentum for a game. I do that pretty well as a captain on the team. Last year as a captain prepped me for this year.

Why did you decide to commit to Xavier?

The coaching staff No. 1 was amazing. Nate Lie and assistant coaches Tyler (Smaha) and Katy (Etelman), they’re one of the best coaching groups I’ve met. They know so much about soccer. They were very supportive of me. With the school situation, I’m looking to major in business. They have really good business in Cincinnati. They love sports and are close knit there, just like Pittsburgh. It’s really exciting.

Do you have a favorite home-cooked meal?

My favorite pre-game meal is steak, sweet potatoes and Brussels spouts.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Aladdin’s (Eatery), a Mediterranean place in Fox Chapel.

Did you dress up for Halloween?

I was actually a race car diver and a space cowgirl.

Who has the best nickname on the team?

We call Antonia Linzoain “Tones.” I just love that name.

What’s something people might not know about you?

A lot of people don’t know I actually used to do competitive horseback riding. My mom owns a horse farm and I used to ride a lot. I also have four older sisters.

Ryan Croushore

Class: Senior

School: Burrell

Sport: Soccer

Report card: The Burrell boys soccer team has posted seven shutouts this season, but none were more important than Wednesday’s. Croushore and the Bucs blanked No. 4 Seton LaSalle, 1-0, in the WPIAL Class A boys soccer consolation game to earn a spot in the PIAA playoffs. Croushore, a senior keeper, sealed the victory in goal for the Bucs (15-4).

How did the team play against Seton LaSalle on Wednesday?

I think we played pretty well. Obviously, there’s still stuff to improve on even this late in the season. We came together after a tough loss and got the result we wanted.

What was the attitude of the team like heading into that game after losing in the semifinals?

It was intense. The day after we lost, we had practice. There was no joking around, nothing like that. It was all straight-faced, seriousness.

What are your goals for the state playoffs?

Everybody hopes to win it. It’s just whether we have what it takes. If we show out and play our game how we’re supposed to, we have a very good shot at making a deep run.

What’s the hardest part of being a keeper?

Very mental. You’re the last guy, the last line of defense. If you are anything but perfect, it will almost always be a bad night. So just keeping the mental side of things, as well as the physical side of things in check is probably they hardest thing.

What are your strengths on the field?

One of my strengths is obviously my size (6-foot-4). That was just something I was gifted with. Another thing would probably be my foot skills. I’m good at playing out of the back. My communication has gotten better too.

Were you always a keeper?

I wasn’t always a keeper. It wasn’t until U10 when I really started taking it seriously.

How far can you kick a ball in the air?

If I get a good punt, I’ve sent it to the other 30 before. I have scored from a punt, but that was on a smaller goal. I’ve done it twice actually.

What is your strategy on corner kicks?

Just be brave. You have to have no fear. You have to have a confidence that “I’m going to win this ball and stop it from going in.” It has nothing to do with height or agility, just whether you are brave enough to go out there and get.

What’s the strategy on penalty kicks?

PKs, you are kind of looking at their eyes, the way their hips are going, the way their chest is facing, and taking all that into account and making your best guess on what you’ve seen from that player during the game and what you’ve seen from his body.

Have you made plans for next fall?

Not officially. I have been in contact with some coaches.

How did you get started playing soccer?

My dad played all throughout his life when he was younger and played into college. That was really the first sport we got into. I’ve been playing since I was 3.

Do you have a favorite team to watch?

I’m a Man City guy.

Did you dress up for Halloween?

I did not. Our girls were playing in the semifinals, and we were there.

What’s the last movie you saw in a theater?

“Barbie.” It was all right. It was interesting. It was weird.

Who is the team’s comedian?

That’s Calio Zanella. He’s always a clown. After every win we run over the crowd to thank them. He’s always blowing kisses.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I love shoes, like Jordans, Dunks, all kinds of shoes. I have way too many. In my room right now, I can see at least 13 boxes stacked up. I resell sneakers, so they’re not all mine. There’s a lot in here. I have at least 4-5 Jordans that I wear.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Burrell, Fox Chapel