North Allegheny boys soccer confident new pieces will fit into place

By: John Grupp
Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Graduation did a number on the North Allegheny boys soccer team.

The Tigers lost their top five goal scorers and return only a couple of starters from last year’s 16-4-1 WPIAL Class 4A semifinalist.

“We had some really, really big losses,” coach Manuel Montero said. “But we just reload. … They are up for the challenge. The whole squad is motivated and excited to start the season.”

North Allegheny showed some promise with a 3-2 victory over WPIAL Class 4A No. 5 Peters Township, another team hit hard by graduation, in a preseason scrimmage Aug. 16.

It was an encouraging debut for an unranked NA team trying to replace an all-state forward (Nathan Katari), an all-WPIAL forward (Zach Nash) and an all-section goalkeeper (Ryan Young), among others.

“Last year, we had a lot of good strikers and now they are gone,” said senior midfielder Leo Yu, who scored two goals last season. “But I feel pretty confident. We’ve got some young kids up top. They’ve got some fresh legs. It should be the same as last year, if not better.”

Other top returnees are senior twins Justin and Kevin Chen and senior defender Justin Stalter.

The Chen brothers each scored two goals last season and join Yu as the team’s leading returning goal-scorers. All told, the Tigers graduated 37 of their 49 goals scored last year.

“During the offseason, my brother and I developed a lot more attacking-wise, so our shots have gotten a lot better,” Justin Chen said. “We also have some promising junior strikers who I think will make up for last year’s seniors.”

The newcomers expected to fill the scoring void include junior forwards Alec Vattula, Francis Randiga and Harper Boles, as well as promising freshman striker Josh Tufts.

“We’re moving the ball very well,” Stalter said. “The composure and creativity and chemistry between everyone is really high now.”

Senior Xavier Zyskowski is the frontrunner in net for the Tigers, who allowed only 16 goals in 21 games last season with 11 shutouts.

“We’re looking good,” senior defender Elliott Swierczynski said. “A lot of juniors are coming in, and seniors are stepping up.”

Montero, in his fourth season, said the Tigers boast perhaps the most balanced roster, “talent-wise, from top to bottom,” since he arrived.

“I can literally grab someone out of a hat and put them in, and they will do a good job,” Montero said. “It’s a really good group. … We have a lot of youth, and they are hungry to push and earn playing time. That’s going to keep all of those seniors on their toes.”

The Tigers, who shared the Section 3-4A title last season with eventual WPIAL Class 4A champion Fox Chapel, were scheduled to open the regular season against Kiski School on Aug. 22.

North Allegheny’s nonsection schedule also features home games against No. 3 Plum (Aug. 26) and No. 4 Norwin (Aug. 30). The Tigers host No. 2 Fox Chapel on Sept. 18.

“As long as we stay focused and work together as a team, we are good for any game against any opponent,” Yu said, “no matter how good they are.”

Tags: North Allegheny