Behind experienced lineup, Riverview boys soccer eyes improvement

By: Michael Love
Sunday, September 1, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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The Riverview boys soccer team has made strides each season since the fall of 2021, when the program came back after a one-year hiatus because of low numbers.

The Raiders, with several seasoned seniors and other underclassmen with experience in varsity matches, are ready to challenge for a WPIAL playoff spot, something that has eluded them since 2019.

“The seniors have really stepped up this year into bigger leadership roles,” Riverview coach Mickey Namey said. “We had a Twin Boro U19 summer team, and a lot of guys played a number of games together. It was really nice to be able to keep them together. We went 5-3 and were the highest-scoring team in our group.

“There were a lot of positives and a lot of growth. We also went down to the Pitt camp at the end of July. That was the first time we did that as a team. We got a lot closer as a team, and the seniors really led the way on that.”

One of the seniors, forward Chris O’Toole, is back after earning All-WPIAL honors as a junior. He led the team with 19 goals and also picked up Valley News Dispatch first-team recognition.

“We’re definitely locked in on making the playoffs and winning as many games as possible,” said O’Toole, a key starter for the Raiders since his freshman season. “We’re also working on developing the younger players, especially the sophomores. Without any freshmen this year, they are the youngest. But we will be counting on them to take that next step and make a difference.”

Senior goalkeeper Quin Fischer, also an All-WPIAL pick in 2023, and senior defender Drew Hunter, who earned all-section laurels a year ago, are back among a six-senior group.

“We came back this year a lot bigger team, and I think we will be more physical,” Fischer said.

Riverview was to begin its season Tuesday at Aquinas Academy at North Park’s JC Stone Field. The game was to be played past the print deadline for this week’s edition.

The Raiders are slated to begin the home portion of their season and Section 4-A schedule at 4:15 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Park against Trinity Christian.

Section play continues next Tuesday against Winchester Thurston at Wilkinsburg’s UPMC Graham Field before paying a visit to rival Springdale next Thursday.

“We have more committed players, not just more players, than ever before,” Hunter said. “We’re all pumped for the season because of that. With how our section is shaping up, we have a good shot for the playoffs.”

Riverview also will face Jeannette and St. Joseph in section matches.

“We’re excited about the section,” Namey said. “We lost Aquinas and Burrell, and we added Jeannette who we played well against last year. They were a double-A playoff team. Chris O’Toole is hungry to get out there and score some goals. Quin and Drew are also back for us, and we have experience elsewhere, so the pieces are there. It is just finding the right formations and keeping our eyes on one game at a time. Winning one game and then trying to win the next is what we’re focused on.”

The Raiders went winless in 2021 (0-15), and were victorious once in 2022 before capturing five wins in 17 matches last year.

The Raiders players and coaches got a good look at where they stood in a scrimmage at Highlands on Aug. 20.

“We were playing pretty well and had the lead, and then we changed up some formations to see what we could do,” Namey said. “It was a good showing.”

Roster numbers were boosted last week with the addition of three golfers who will be pulling double duty.

Senior Carter Loughren was a member of the team last year, and seniors Matt Orbin and Renton Biondich played as freshmen.

Hunter also returned this fall to kick with the Riverview football team.

Junior Eben Urlich, Namey said, played his first two varsity seasons but was considering not playing this year. He had a change of heart and returned to the team this week.

Benji Franciscus, also a member of the basketball team, is a first-time varsity soccer player as a junior forward.

“Last week, we had 13 kids, but now we are at 17,” Namey said. “That is huge. We went from two subs to six subs which is a big difference. You have a hard time getting game simulation when you only have 12 or 13 kids. Everything is done short-sided.

“The new guys are getting introduced or reintroduced to the game and are getting in game shape.”

Also returning from last year’s team are juniors Carter Baldwin, Korbin Cooper and Devin Murphy; and sophomores Carson Bodnar, Nico Lascola, Kieran Pisoni, Kyle Scheutz, Liam Ulrich and Dennis Underwood.

Namey said he also is excited for the junior high program which has 22 boys on its roster.

“We’re looking for a big uptick in numbers next year and for the following year,” he said.

“The team this year wants to lay the groundwork for that. With Twin Boro, we worked with some of the junior high kids. There’s a lot of energy around the program.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

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