Logan Metzger steps into starring role as Belle Vernon opens boys soccer playoffs with win

By: Liam Belan
Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 11:07 PM

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With everything to play for in a grudge match between neighbors, it was two goals from Logan Metzger that made the difference for Belle Vernon.

The 2-1 victory over Ringgold in a preliminary-round game Thursday put the Leopards into the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. No. 16 Belle Vernon (8-10-1) will face off against No. 1 Hampton at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

“We all thought we played a pretty good first half, but it was unfortunate that we went down 1-0,” Belle Vernon coach Tyler Caterino said. “We knew that we just had to stick to our game plan, weather some pressure and then go from there.”

Trailing 1-0 after an early Ringgold (8-8) goal from James Lytle, Metzger pleaded with his coach to be put up front in the second half.

Caterino told his star center back that the back line would have to hold the line 10 more minutes, which it did by keeping it at 1-0, before he let him loose. From there, Metzger got the opportunity to go up top, and he showed off his ball-striking skills with two fantastic long-range goals.

After both squads missed a few chances, Lytle scored in the 22nd minute as he latched onto a ball past the Ringgold defense and beat goalkeeper Morgan Bunch.

“The same thing happened in our Bethel Park game the other night,” Ringgold coach Rob Fabean said. “We were up 1-0, then they scored two, and we managed to come back. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen tonight. We tried to get some leadership on the field to recover from it, but we just couldn’t.”

After several chances that Bunch somehow saved, the halftime score stayed at 1-0 in favor of Ringgold as the Rams eventually came to regret some of the chances that they couldn’t convert.

The Belle Vernon attack came alive in the second half, but it couldn’t manage a goal until Metzger came forward. He ended up tying the match with 14:52 left to play and then hit another laser to give the Leopards their first advantage of the night just minutes later.

Ringgold pushed forward and almost managed to tie it up on a close chance from Lytle and a shot off a corner from Izaiah Wilson, but, again, the Leopards somehow kept them out and managed to hang on for the win.

The result ended Ringgold’s season and the careers of seniors Michael Stasko and Connor Fausnaught, who Fabean thanked for their dedication and commitment to the program over the past few seasons. He also said that the younger returning players should try to look to them for motivation moving forward.

As for the Leopards, they live on to fight another day.

Caterino said the team will try to recover well before another win-or-go-home situation Saturday.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Ringgold