Plum boys soccer team looking for more this season after successful 2016

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, August 27, 2017 | 11:40 PM

Last season was one of growth for the members of the Plum boys soccer team.

The Mustangs turned things around from a 2-9-1 section record in 2015 and finished second (8-2-2) to Allderdice in Section 3-AAAA.

A 1-0 loss to Canon-McMillan in the WPIAL first round concluded Plum's season at 10-5-3.

With eight returning starters and others waiting for their chance to make an impact, coach Anthony Russo is optimistic his team can take those next steps of winning the section and making a deeper playoff run.

“I hope we are challenging for the title,” Russo said. “A lot of these guys have been through a lot and have that experience. They've faced losing seasons and games where they got outmuscled and outplayed. Last year was different. They got a taste of success, and now they want more.”

The eight starters back are seniors Kole Lisovich (midfield), Joey Zimmerman (defense) and Callan Scharba (forward); juniors Ethan Ekiert (midfield), Gavin Ekiert (goalkeeper), Jordan Floyd (midfield); and sophomores Luke Gildea (midfield) and Cole Kelly (defense).

There are 28 team members in the sophomore, junior and senior classes, and that number is complemented by a nine-member freshman class that Russo says has a lot of potential.

“There is a lot of depth in the upper classes, guys who have been waiting their turn. There's a lot of competition for positions. A lot of guys have waited their turn and chance for this year.”

Brenden Akut, last year's leader in goals and assists, graduated. Scharba led the returnees in goals last year with four. He added three assists.

“We're pretty confident,” Scharba said. “We have a good chance at winning the section. We're pretty competitive against each other in practice. Everything seems to be clicking so far. We can't wait to get into the season.”

Lisovich and Kelly had a pair of goals each, and Gavin Ekiert finished with a 1.3 goals-against average and made 68 saves.

“We have a lot of depth. A lot of young guys are ready to play at the varsity level,” Gavin Ekiert said.

Russo said Ekiert is one of several ready to take their games to the next level.

“Gavin did well last year,” Russo said. “He made a bunch of nice saves in the playoff game and had some big performances in other big games last year. I definitely saw him mature throughout last season and the offseason. I wouldn't be surprised to see him be a more vocal leader. I am excited to see what he can do this year.”

Russo said competition in practice has been fierce.

“No one had a locked position coming into camp, and the guys knew that,” he said. “If there is a guy in there working hard, is fit and wants to compete, he is going to get that chance.

“It's motivation for the younger guys to want to dethrone the returning guys. We are going to be good this year if we have our toughest games in practice.”

Russo said he believes his team can come out on top in the section, but all of the games will be battles.

“Last year, there were only two or three games we won pretty convincingly,” he said. “A lot of the games went right down to the wire. Making sure they are fit to play the whole 80 minutes is important for us and what we've been stressing in the preseason.

“Our section is unique in the sense that there are a lot of physical and athletic players. There are a lot of guys who can make a difference based on their fitness level and work ethic. You aren't going to leave a game in the section without bumps and bruises in JV or varsity.”

The WPIAL soccer season begins this weekend, and Plum will take on Shaler on Friday at 8 p.m. at the annual Shaler tournament.

The championship and consolation games are Saturday evening.

The Mustangs open section play Tuesday with a home game at 7:30 p.m. against Brashear.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.

Tags: Plum