Alle-Kiski Valley athletes of the week: Riverview’s Mary Quinlan, Kiski Area’s Austin Beck

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, August 30, 2025 | 4:14 PM

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Mary Quinlan

School: Riverview

Class: Junior

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Quinlan is on fire to begin the season. On Monday, she scored a pair of goals as the Raiders (2-0, 2-0) defeated Greensburg Central Catholic 9-1 to open Class 1A Section 4 play. Two days later, she scored a hat trick in another victory, this time a 5-1 win over section opponent Ellis School.

The team’s first game, a nonsection match against Deer Lakes, was postponed, meaning you had to jump straight into section play. Did that faze this group at all?

We were ready to go. A couple of us were laid up with injuries during that tie, which is why it got postponed, but we’re at full strength now.

Tell me about the hat trick on Wednesday.

The first goal, I beat the girl one on one. I scored off a cross, and the third was off a direct kick and I headed it into the goal.

How may hat tricks have you scored in your career?

I’m not 100 percent sure.

But you hope to have more games in the future where you do score three goals or more.

Yeah, I do.

Those two wins keep you on pace with Springdale and have you currently at the top of the section. How important is to stay as close as you can to your rivals?

I don’t think it really matters right now. I can’t wait to play them, they’re a really good team that’s well-coached.

They were the WPIAL champs last year, how do you think you’ll fare against them in your two regular-season matches?

I think they’ll be two pretty good games.

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

We needed to communicate more and play more as a group and less as individuals.

Jessica Garland is the new head coach. What are practices like, and what’s that change been like for the team?

Some of the things we’re good at we don’t work on as much. We try and focus on the parts of our game that need improvement. I love her coaching style.

What’s been her message for the team this year?

That it should be a pretty good year, and we’re doing well.

How many goals did you score last year?

I’m not sure on the exact total. I think it was somewhere between 11 and 15. I missed five games because I tore my meniscus.

Unfortunate to have to miss time to injury. How did your recovery go?

I didn’t have to get surgery because it wasn’t a major tear, but I had to do a lot of physical therapy and do a lot of stretching and things like that to rebuild the muscle.

You also compete in track. Did that have an effect on your preparations for that season?

I didn’t do track as much last year because I focused more on club soccer.

Which team do you play for?

BVB Pittsburgh

What are your individual goals for the season?

I want to win but to also have fun with my teammates. I also want to break my scoring record, which was 16 goals my freshman year.

Who’s your favorite soccer player to watch?

I don’t have a specific one, I like to watch them all. It shows you the different skills and styles of play that each individual player has and how good it can make them.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room, what would you choose and why?

Maybe “Headlines” by Drake. I listen to that song the most before games.

What skill would you most like to learn?

I want to learn how to do the “Around the World” juggling trick with a soccer ball, because in my opinion, I’m not very good at juggling.

Would you rather travel back in time or into the future?

I would want to travel back in time to relive my freshman soccer season because I had a lot of good fun and made a lot of memories with that team and what we accomplished that year.

What are you most excited for now that school is back in session?

I’m excited for the football games and activities that allow me to hang out with my friends. I’m also looking forward to our season.

Austin Beck

School: Kiski Area

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Last Friday, Beck, who is the starting kicker for the Cavaliers football team, made two field goals in the team’s 21-0 win over Knoch on opening night. On Tuesday, Beck scored the winning goal on a penalty kick in double overtime to lift Kiski Area (1-1, 1-1) to a 3-2 win over Shaler (2-2, 1-1) in Section 1-3A play.

It’s been a long time since the team won a game. After going winless last year, how did it feel to get a win right out of the gate in the first game this year?

It felt great. We’ve been training all summer for it and to come out and win our first game, it meant a lot to everybody.

Take me through the game-winning goal.

It was a group effort. I started in the back and sent the ball to my right forward, Devon “DJ” Lindenfelser. He was running through the box, and he got fouled. They awarded us a penalty kick, and coach told me to take the shot and I put it away.

You weren’t nervous at all though, right?

I was a little nervous, but it helps out.

Dakota Lange stepped in as the new coach this year. How has that transition gone, and what’s been his message to you guys?

It’s gone well. He knows us all from being an assistant coach last year. His message is to work hard and work together. It’s early, but we’re definitely better than we were last year.

What’s been the team’s focus?

We’re mainly focusing on our defense, but currently we’re honing in on our attack, looking for a balance.

What goals have you set for yourself?

I want to make the playoffs. It’s my senior year, and we haven’t made the playoffs in two years.

Any opponent you look forward to playing against most?

We just lost to Mars, so I want to get them one more time.

How did you get started with soccer?

I have two older siblings, a brother and a sister, and they started when they were younger and I would kick a ball with them. I really got into it when I was three or four.

Play on any club teams?

I used to play in AFFC (Allegheny Force Football Club).

How long have you been kicking for the football team?

I just started last year. My one AP government teacher would ask me every day, and I finally relented.

Do you like it?

Very much. I wish I had done it sooner.

Again, a new head coach for that squad as well this year. What’s it been like through the first few months with Coach Colyn Haugh?

It’s a lot different than last year, but it’s a great atmosphere. He’s helping to make us better, pushes us very hard.

What’s your outlook for the football team?

I think we can go far this year. We’ll have some tough games, but we’ll come out on top. We’re a very gritty team, and I feel we can make the playoffs.

What three items, not including cellphone, would you want if you were shipwrecked on a deserted island?

I want chicken, something to entertain me, so a soccer ball, and a little survival kit.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Be where your feet are.

What are you most excited for now that school is back in session?

I’m excited to be in classes with my friends and then go play soccer and football.

Favorite subject in school?

Math. I’m looking to major in actuarial science.

What are your future plans?

I’m still searching to see if I can play soccer or football in college, but if not, Pitt would be the choice academically. But right now, I’m still undecided.

Which would you choose to play in college, football or soccer?

Football. I really fell in love with the game.

Tags: Kiski Area, Riverview