A-K Valley athletes of the week: Freeport’s Ryan Sutara, Springdale’s Bri Ross

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, August 31, 2024 | 11:56 AM

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Bri Ross

School: Springdale

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Report card: After scoring 51 goals in 2023, Ross continued where she left off. On Monday, she scored four goals and had two assists in Springdale’s 9-0 win over The Ellis School in Section 4-4A. Then Wednesday, the outside winger buried two more goals and had two more assists in another section win over Apollo-Ridge. The Dynamos are off to a 2-0 start in both section and overall.

Your sister, Ashley, assisted a majority of your goals last season. Who are you teaming up with this season?

I’m looking at Hailey Marchlewski and Carissa Walsh. It’s nice to have them on the attack, especially Karissa, who’s coming back from a knee injury. She’s been a big help the past few games.

Will you miss your sister, and what was the dynamic you both had?

I’ll miss playing with her very much. We had been playing together so long that we understood what the other was thinking and doing on the field.

What’s the message for the team this year?

Our team has been working very hard this summer to achieve our goals, which have been raised since our playoff run last year. Each player’s expectation is to put their best effort on the field and make sure nothing is left unfinished.

What lessons did the team learn during last year’s playoff run?

We learned that we can’t just go in and expect to win. We may have let up in some of our section games, but we can’t do that this year. We have to give it our all every match.

The team is second in the WPIAL right now with 19 total goals in the first two games. What are your thoughts on that?

It’s very impressive for us, and it’s nice to start the season that way.

What are your goals for the season?

I’m looking to get my 100th career goal and beat the school record of 127 career goals. I also want to prove that I can do better than I did last year.

Who’s your favorite soccer player to watch?

I recently had a chance to play with a semi-pro team over the summer, and I saw a lot of girls who could really play but there was this one girl named Aubrey Bianco. She goes to Carnegie Mellon and the way she moves; it’s really cool to watch.

Are you getting any looks from colleges?

I’m going to Penn State Behrend over the weekend, and I’m planning on committing there some time in the near future.

How long have you been playing soccer?

Since I was 5.

Favorite subject in school?

Math.

Is that a subject you would want to pursue in college?

I want to be an engineer, just haven’t decided which field just yet.

Favorite meal?

Spaghetti. My favorite meal ever.

From a restaurant or homemade?

I love my mom’s spaghetti.

What are you most looking forward to in the fall?

Halloween. I can’t wait to be rid of this hot weather. I hate the summer. I want everything to be cold again.

What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?

I’m on a semi-pro team.

Which team?

The Steel City women’s team.

Some traveling involved with that team?

Yes.

Out of all the different states you’ve been to, which was your favorite?

I love to going to Indiana. It’s so flat out there, kind of weird to see.

Ryan Sutara

School: Freeport

Class: Junior

Sport: Soccer

Report card: In Freeport’s opening game of the season against St. Joseph on Aug. 24, Sutara had an assist. On Tuesday last week, he scored his first goal of the season in a 3-3 tie against Shady Side Academy to open Section 1-2A play. Two days later, he broke out with two goals and two assists in a 10-0 section win over Leechburg. The Yellowjackets have a 2-0-1 overall record and are 1-0-1 in section play.

How long have you been playing soccer?

12 years.

Do you play on any club teams?

I currently play on Steel City 2007.

You play the center attacking midfielder (CAM) position for Freeport. What does that allow you to do?

I think I can help distribute the ball more, be creative and it allows me to score more goals.

What was it like to tie Shady Side Academy after being down 3-1?

We really thought we were going to pull that one out. We scored twice in the last eight minutes to get the tie. It was really exciting. Both teams wanted the win, but neither wanted to make a mistake and end up with the loss.

After just missing the playoffs last year, how hungry is the team to get in this season?

Last year made us want it even more. My freshman year we barely made it and just missed last year, so I think we’re all really excited to try and get to the postseason.

How high powered is this team on the attack?

Our biggest part of our team is our offensive. The majority of our team has an offensive mindset, so that sets us up to score as much as we can.

Other than the offense, what else is the team doing well to begin the year?

Playing the ball wide. We want to make more of an effort to get crossers in the net. We lack size but have ability to play the ball in the air. So, getting those cross passes to go in will boost our offensive numbers.

What are the team’s goals this season?

Playoffs are No. 1. We also just need to have a good attitude and make sure everyone contributes and has the opportunity to play during the season.

What are your strengths?

Winning balls that are in the air. Despite my small stature, I’m pretty good at getting to those ones in the air. I also feel I have a good first touch and can pass pretty well.

What goals have you set for yourself?

Score more goals than I did last year, get more assists. Definitely stay healthy as well. I only scored two goals because of injuries.

What were your injuries?

I strained my back in the first preseason match. As soon as I got back, I pulled a hamstring.

How were you set up for the three goals you’ve scored this year?

The first was off a header off a corner kick. I’ve been trying to get to the back post, which has helped me get more of my headers on net. The second one was also a header, that time off a free kick, and I crossed it in. The third was a quick feed in the box, and I shot it top right corner.

Any opponent you look forward to playing against?

I really want to beat Deer Lakes this season. They won WPIALs my freshman year and finished first in the section last year, so I think it’s a big chip on our shoulder to beat them.

Do you have a specific pregame routine?

Not really. I definitely try to do a lot of stretching just because of my previous injuries.

What’s a fun fact about yourself that people don’t know?

I go up to Canada to fish every year.

What’s the biggest fish you ever caught?

A 33-inch pike.

Tags: Freeport, Springdale