Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni named 2024 TribLive Westmoreland Boys Soccer Player of the Year
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Saturday, November 30, 2024 | 11:31 PM
Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni celebrates after scoring against Bethel Park during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at Latrobe.
Latrobe soccer players (from left) Roman Agostoni, Reece DiCasolo and Warren Agostoni pose after their 2-0 win over Ringgold in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. It was the first playoff win in program history.
Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne moves the ball against Latrobe during a game on Oct. 8, 2024, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Franklin Regional’s Danny Christafano celebrates his goal against Plum on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Plum High School. Franklin Regional won, 1-0.
Mt. Pleasant senior boys soccer player Aiden Johnson
Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch celebrates after scoring during the second half against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Viking Stadium.
Christopher Horner | TribLive
Christopher Horner | TribLive
Latrobe’s John Massaro fights for the ball with Penn Trafford’s JJ Porter on Sept. 2024 at Greater Latrobe High School.
Latrobe’s John Massaro battles Franklin Regional’s Jovan Sankoorikal for possession on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Murrysville.
Greensburg Central’s Jackson Vacanti controls the ball during a game against Eden Christian on, Aug. 27, 2024, at Eden.
Hempfield soccer player Braden Crowe
2024 Boys Soccer All-Stars
• Player of the year •
Roman Agostoni, Sr., MF, Latrobe
The time will come when Roman Agostoni pauses to reflect on the incredible senior soccer season he had for Latrobe and the frontman role that he embraced to help the Wildcats make history.
Perhaps the most prolific player to come out of the program, Agostoni used his talents to lead Latrobe to its first section title and first WPIAL playoff win and broke the team record for career goals.
For his efforts, Agostoni is the TribLive Westmoreland Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Daniel Maddock of Norwin and Danny Christafano of Franklin Regional also were considered.
An All-WPIAL and all-state selection, Agostoni ended the season with 33 goals and 15 assists and tallied 63 goals and 35 assists for his career.
“We knew we were going to go as Roman went,” Latrobe coach Jake Rice said. “His speed and ability made him tough for teams to defend.
“Roman was a special player that we will miss. His ability to score and take over a game is rare at the 3A level.”
The former all-time goals mark had belonged to Roman’s brother, Nolan. Roman was able to enjoy a 13-5-1 season alongside his younger brother Warren, a junior standout for the Wildcats.
“My senior season was pretty memorable and something I will never forget,” Roman Agostoni said.
While there were many highlight goals — on build-ups and breakaways — Agostoni points to a goal he scored at Penn-Trafford that ended up clinching the section.
“I do wish I took the moment in more,” he said. “Looking back on my time here, I was always so focused on winning that sometimes I forgot to just live in the moment.”
He also said a section sweep of WPIAL runner-up Franklin Regional belongs in the scrapbook.
“I did not surprise myself really, if I am being honest,” he said. “I expected myself to score more goals.
“It feels good to be a small part of the history of my school, especially playing alongside my brother and doing it has been really special.”
Agostoni enjoyed the ride in his final high school season but was never one for the limelight.
“I am not sure how I will be remembered here at Latrobe. I am not too concerned with the accolade, recognition part,” he said. “Just as long as people saw me as a good teammate and a good leader I would be more than happy with that.”
Agostoni wants to play Division I college soccer and could get his chance.
He has an offer to play at Robert Morris and interest from Memphis and UNC Wilmington.
First team
Warren Agostoni, Jr., MF, Latrobe
All-WPIAL performer had 15 goals and helped Latrobe collect its first section title and playoff win.
Joey Bayne, Sr., MF, Franklin Regional
All-section player on a WPIAL runner-up team, he had nine goals and 10 assists for the Panthers.
Danny Christafano, Sr., F, Franklin Regional
An All-WPIAL performer who powered a run to the WPIAL 3A championship game, he had 26 goals and 13 assists.
Braden Crowe, Jr., MF, Hempfield
The Spartans’ top point producer finished the season with seven goals and six assists.
Aiden Johnson, Sr., MF, Mt. Pleasant
An All-WPIAL selection, Johnson was the Vikings’ engine, scoring 18 goals and distributing 10 assists.
Trevor Kovatch, Sr., F, Belle Vernon
Finished as Belle Vernon’s all-time leader in goals with 100 (230 points). This season, he had 14 goals and three assists.
Daniel Maddock, Sr., F, Norwin
An All-WPIAL player who fueled the Knights’ attack, he had 22 goals and 18 assists. He finished with 58 goals and 35 assists in his career.
JJ Porter, Sr., F, Penn-Trafford
A key weapon in the Warriors’ offensive attack, he had 19 goals to lead the team.
Jovan Sankoorikal, Sr., MF, Franklin Regional
All-WPIAL selection and another key attacker for the WPIAL silver medalists, he had 12 goals and 14 assists.
Jackson Vacanti, Sr., MF, Greensburg Central Catholic
An All-WPIAL player, he spearheaded the Centurions at the top of the formation, scoring 22 goals and lending 12 assists, increasing his point production each season.
Second team
Yuriy Bidochko, Jr., MF, Penn-Trafford
Grant Brewer, Jr., MF, Greensburg Central Catholic
Reece DiCasolo, Sr., GK, Latrobe
Isaac House, Sr., GK, Greensburg Central Catholic
Brady Kring, Sr., D, Latrobe
Dylan Moyer, Sr., MF, Norwin
Isaac Pacacha, So., MF, Yough
Ryan Schoemer, So., F, Norwin
Jack Smith, Sr., MF, Southmoreland
Noah Walker, Sr., GK, Franklin Regional
Hunter Wright, Sr., MF, Ligonier Valley
Brandon Yeschenko, Sr., MF, Belle Vernon
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Latrobe, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland, Yough
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