A-K Valley athletes of the week: Freeport’s Angelo Porco, Deer Lakes’ Claire Cacurak

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, October 21, 2023 | 1:00 PM

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Claire Cacurak

Class: Sophomore

School: Deer Lakes

Sports: Soccer, cross country

Report card: Cacurak scored a pair of goals in leading Deer Lakes (9-6-3, 6-4) to a key Section 2-2A victory in girls soccer Monday. The Lancers, who closed the season with a 5-1-1 run, drew the No. 10 seed for the WPIAL playoffs and will play at No. No. 7 Shady Side Academy at 6 p.m. Tuesday. On Thursday, Cacurak will run for the Deer Lakes team at the WPIAL cross country championships at White Oak Park.

How did the team play against Knoch on Monday?

We played the hardest we played this season. We stuck with our marks like we were taught to do at practice that week. We showed up, and they weren’t expecting it.

How were your two goals set up?

On my first one, Lexi McAdams passed it to me on a goal kick. I dribbled past them and scored where I knew I could score from. My other one was a PK. I went for the left corner.

What are some things the team is doing well right now?

Our midfield is working on getting back and doing that and sticking with their marks. That was our biggest thing in the beginning of the year. We can win a game in the playoffs if we do what we do.

What are your goals for the playoffs?

Make it to the second round and prove that teams should be afraid of our team because no one expects us to go out and win.

What can you expect from Shady Side Academy on Tuesday?

We are on a lookout for their midfielders. Those are their two biggest threats.

What positions have you played?

Left wing, but I can play middle and midfield.

How many goals do you have this year?

My goal was to get 20 goals. I have 19.

Are you involved in any other sports/activities at Deer Lakes?

I run cross country, and I run track. I run the 800, 4-by-8 and 4-by-4 and 400. I love to run. I literally have a treadmill in my room. If I’m bored, I just go on a run.

What is your goal for the WPIAL cross country meet?

Definitely come in first for my team. I hope to get under 22 minutes.

How do manage both sports in the fall?

My coaches are positive that I can do both sports and lenient, especially my cross country coach.

How did you get started playing soccer?

My older sister that graduated a couple years ago (Abigail) did it. So did my family members a long time ago. We have a good youth club. We just stuck on with it.

What is it like having a twin sister, Brooke (a defender)?

I actually really like having a twin sister because we do the exact same things. We have a lot of things in common, which especially helps on the field. She also runs cross country.

How many miles do you think you run during a game?

I have one of those trackers, and it says 5-6 miles each game.

Have you looked into playing in college?

I definitely want to play at the next level.

Who has the best nickname on the team?

Me. It’s Bug. It’s on my shoe. My coaches call me it. It’s like Claire Bug. My family calls me Bug.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Round the Corner. It’s a pizza place.

Do you have a favorite TV show?

I don’t really watch TV shows. My favorite comfort movie is “Wall-E.”

What’s something people might not know about you?

I’m a twin and I can hula hoop for hours. I’m very good at hula hooping.

Angelo Porco

Class: Junior

School: Freeport

Sport: Soccer

Report card: Porco, a junior forward, had a hat trick Tuesday as Freeport’s boys soccer team beat St. Joseph, 5-0, to improve to 9-8 overall. The Yellowjackets won six of their final seven games but fell just short of the playoffs. They finished fifth in Section 2-2A at 7-7, just behind Jeannette (7-6-1).

How did the team play against St. Joseph on Tuesday?

As a team we all played petty well. I feel like we moved the ball pretty well. We didn’t have many shots on target, but we did finish the chances we had.

How were your goals set up?

My first goal was Drake Weiland had the ball and went for a shot. It hit off the defender and fell to my foot. I just placed it bottom left. My second goal was Nate Watson played a ball to Carson Rowley. Carson flicked it over the defender’s head, and I finished my 1v1 chance with the goalie. My third goal, Nate Watson played a through ball. I megged the keeper on that one.

What was the team doing well at the end of the season?

We had finally returned all our starters from injury from the beginning of the season. We all agreed on where everyone should play at certain positions. We had a system where we would go wide and in and cross the ball because the that’s where we finished our chances the most.

Even though you missed out on the playoffs what can you take away from this year?

We’ve all grown up as players and people in general. We understand that things aren’t always going to go our way. Jeannette wasn’t supposed to tie Shady Side, but they did and that’s the way it is. We’ll just take this information and put it to next year’s season and see how it goes.

How many goals did you have this season?

(I had) 19 goals, six assists.

What are your plans for the offseason?

I’m playing for Steel City FC. Practices start pretty soon, right after playoffs end.

Are you involved in any other sports/activities at Freeport?

I run track and field. I do the 100-meter and 200-meter dash. I did the 4-by-1 a couple times my freshman year.

How did you get started playing soccer?

I did a lot of sports when I was younger. I never really liked any other sports. I played basketball and baseball. Soccer was the one that really interested me. I never really got bored. I just stuck with it. It was something I loved doing.

How many miles do you think you run during a game?

As a striker, I’m always pressing defenders, so I’m always doing something. Maybe 2-3 miles per game.

Have you looked into playing in college?

I would like to go to college for soccer. I’m trying to see what I want to major in and look for a good major that fits me and see what colleges have that.

Who has the best nickname on the team?

My brother, Vinny. We call him Chenny. He’s a senior.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Tony’s Pizza.

What soccer team do you follow?

Juventus.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I actually like chess. I’m not that bad at it, too. My dad taught me how to play a couple years ago. I found it an interesting thing I could do.

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: Deer Lakes, Freeport