A-K Valley high school notebook: Burrell girls soccer revives its singing career

By: Alec Italiano
Monday, September 11, 2017 | 9:00 PM

How's this for an encore: The Alle-Kiski Valley's most recognizable musical soccer players are singing again this season.

With the sound system malfunctioning before their season opener at Indiana on Sept. 5, members of the Burrell girls soccer team knew exactly what to do: They sang the national anthem themselves.

“Our girls didn't want to play without singing,” coach Shelby Noll said.

The Bucs sang the anthem before many of their games last season, and they repeated the feat before their Section 2-2A opener Sept. 6 against Freeport.

Baby on board

Kiski Area girls soccer coach Melisa O'Toole generally favors a hands-on demonstration approach during her practices, but she can't do that as much this season.

That's because O'Toole, 29, is more than six months pregnant. It's the first child for her and husband Ryan, and they're expecting a boy.

“It should work out,” O'Toole said. “I should be good. I'll be due probably about a month and a half after the season's over.”

A former Kiski Area and Slippery Rock soccer standout, O'Toole is in her eighth season coaching at her alma mater. She led the Cavaliers to playoff appearances each of the past two seasons.

Yellowjacket down

The No. 2 Freeport boys soccer team anticipates being without starting midfielder Stevie Teorsky for at least the next couple of weeks after he suffered a sprained ankle in a game earlier this month against Burrell. Teorsky suffered the injury while taking a shot against the Bucs.

“It was a pretty rainy day last Tuesday, and his footing kind of gave way on the (natural grass) field,” Yellowjackets coach Dave Teorsky said. “He came down on the follow-through and rolled his left ankle.”

X-rays taken Thursday morning showed no breaks. Dave Teorsky said the sprain, however, is significant, and Stevie was in a walking boot while watching his teammates defeat Shady Side Academy, 2-0, last week.

Stevie Teorsky is expected to see a doctor Sept. 18 for further evaluation.

“He's already seeing our athletic trainer who will take good care of him and get him back as quickly as it's reasonable,” Dave Teorsky said.

Hurricane help

Valley and Freeport were among the many schools accepting donations in support of those affected by Hurricane Harvery.

Valley held a money competition and raised close to $500.

Freeport collected water and food, along with donations of items like rain gear, tarps, work gloves, flashlights, diapers, baby formula and more. The donations filled one U-Haul truck and about half of another.

Section Saturdays

High school football might dominate Friday nights, but soccer is finding its weekend spot Saturdays.

Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport, Highlands and Springdale played Section 2-2A games Saturday morning and afternoon.

This week, the boys take the stage Saturday, with key section games including Riverview at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Norwin at Kiski Area, Deer Lakes at Shady Side Academy, Mt. Pleasant at Freeport and several more.

Mike Love contributed to this article. Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Tags: Burrell, Freeport, Kiski School