A-K Valley boys soccer preview: Deer Lakes opens season with chip on its shoulder

By: Jerin Steele
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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It was another strong regular season for the Deer Lakes boys soccer team that concluded with a section title, but its reign as defending WPIAL champs didn’t last as long as they wanted.

The Lancers were stunned 4-0 by Hopewell in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs. The surprise ending has provided motivation for more in 2024 for a large returning core.

“We will not take anything for granted,” Lancers coach Aaron Smith said. “We learned a lot from last year’s early exit and have a lot to prove this year.”

Deer Lakes returns eight starters, and they’re mostly juniors, including the striker duo of Collin Rodgers and Peyton Kushon, goalkeeper Wesley Boyle and midfielder Zane Spence.

All four were all-section performers last year.

The Lancers are in Section 1-2A with longtime rival Shady Side Academy, North Catholic and Alle-Kiski Valley schools Burrell, Freeport, Highlands, Leechburg and Valley.

Burrell was a state playoff qualifier in Class A last year but graduated eight seniors. The Bucs have five starters back, led by midfielder Billy Kowalkowski and striker Vincent Guerrini.

Freeport missed out on the playoffs by a half-game last year and will look to get over the hump led by senior captain Angelo Porco.

“The program’s overall roster grew to 26 total players, of which eight are returning starters and a few others that played key minutes last season,” Freeport coach Brad Walker said. “We’ll look for Caleb Passarelli, Trey Schreckengost, JJ Nicolls, Owen Seagriff and (goalkeeper) Judah Thompson to anchor our defense while Xavier DeWitt, Eli Hassler, Ryan Sutara, Nate Watson, Dante Treglia, Carson Rowley and Angelo Porco bolster the attack. A strong incoming freshman class should contribute as well.”

Coach Ethan Gillette takes over at Highlands and has seven returning starters to work with, including junior striker Ryan Maloney.

Valley is back playing in the WPIAL for the first time in three years. The Vikings played a limited schedule in 2023. They are coached by Eric Kidwell.

Plum makes a move to Class 4A after winning a section title in 3A last season before falling to South Fayette in the playoffs.

The Mustangs are in Section 1 with Gateway, Central Catholic, Norwin and Penn Hills. They will be a younger team but return All-WPIAL defender Garrett Chandler.

Fox Chapel is in Section 3-4A and will look to contend again after making it to the WPIAL semifinals last year but will not have all-state forward Pablo Linzoain, who is playing for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. They bring back standout midfielder Milo Chiu.

Kiski Area and Knoch are in Section 1-3A.

The Knights moved up from 2A and are led by veteran coach Malcolm Cook, who is entering his 12th year with the program.

Kiski Area is led by team captains Austin Beck and Caleb George. Beck notched a dozen assists as a sophomore last year.

“Looking forward to a change in section and an extremely tough schedule to see if our mostly young roster is up for the challenge,” Cavaliers coach Ben Fiore said. “We are ready to build a foundation around our younger players.”

Springdale, Riverview and St. Joseph are in Section 4-A.

Riverview has some returning talent in midfielder Chris O’Toole and keeper Quin Fischer.

Mario Liberati is the new coach at Springdale, his alma mater. He takes over a team that returns 10 seniors and made the WPIAL quarterfinals last season.

“I’m looking forward to keeping the strong tradition of Springdale soccer alive and giving back to the program that I played for,” Liberati said. “I feel we are going to be a team that scores goals by committee and works as ‘one brain’ to win matches.”

Players to watch

Gage Adinolfi, Plum, Sr., F

Austin Beck, Kiski Area, Jr., M

Wesley Boyle, Deer Lakes, J., GK

Garrett Chandler, Plum, Sr., D

Milo Chiu, Fox Chapel, Sr., M

Taimel Davis, Valley, Sr., F

Nathan Dubas, Springdale, Sr., D

Quin Fischer. Riverview, Sr., GK

Vincent Guerrini, Burrell, So., F

Evan Hass, Knoch, So., D

Drew Hunter, Riverview, Sr., D

Grayson Johngarlo, Kiski Area, Jr., D

Billy Kowalkowski, Burrell, Sr., D

Peyton Kushon, Deer Lakes, Jr., F

Ryan Maloney, Highlands, Jr., F

Chris O’Toole, Riverview, Sr., M

Angelo Porco, Freeport, Sr., F

Collin Rodgers, Deer Lakes, Jr., F

Zane Spence, Deer Lakes, Jr., M

Matthew Welsh, Knoch, Sr., M

Patrick Wylly, Springdale, Sr., M

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

Tags: Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley