Quaker Valley’s Matthias Lezama rises PIHL ranks early in sophomore season

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Quaker Valley forward Matthias Lezama is one of the top skaters and leading scorers in the PIHL.

He’s only a sophomore, but the league has taken notice.

Lezama, 16, was honored recently as the PIHL Class A Player of the Month for November.

“It was an honor to be named Player of the Month,” Lezama said. “It was unexpected and I was caught by surprise.”

Through 10 games, Lezama led the Quakers and the PIHL in scoring with 11 goals and 15 assists (26 points), including six goals and seven assists (13 points) — and zero penalty minutes — in four games in November.

“Following up a great freshman season, Matthias brings it every night,” QV coach Kevin Quinn said. “He has been a quality player for us on and off the ice. Like last season, Matthias is off to a great start. We expected him to be a strong player for us, and he has delivered thus far.

“Matthias has great vision; he sees the ice well and is relentless in trying to produce offense. He’s a very smart player and he’s unselfish.”

Lezama (5-9, 155) skates on a high-scoring line alongside senior Max Modrovich and junior Charlie Pyle.

“He plays with two other high-level players in Max and Charlie,” Quinn said. “Together, they can overwhelm an opponent.”

QV’s veteran coach anticipated a strong sophomore season from Lezama, who accounted for 14 goals and 11 assists (25 points) on last year’s playoff squad.

“I did,” Quinn said. “He is a great kid on and off the ice, and we are very happy to have young players like Matthias to deliver for us.”

Lezama also is a pitcher on the QV baseball team and is involved in the investment and chess clubs at his school. He said the Quakers’ hockey team has a lofty expectation for the 2025-26 season.

“With the group we have and the chemistry we have been building up over the years, our goal as a team is to win the Pens Cup,” Lezama said.

The Quakers were riding a seven-game winning streak heading into the month of December, and Lezama, who had two power-play goals and one short-handed goal to his credit, was complemented significantly on offense by several QV teammates.

Senior forward Jace Vasbinder had 13 goals and six assists (19 points) and Modrovich racked up nine goals and nine assists (18 points). Ben McHenry, another senior forward, accounted for eight goals and 10 assists (18); Luke Koehler, a senior defenseman, had seven goals and 10 assists (17); and Jack Watson, a junior defenseman, added three goals and seven assists (10 points).

“We are not a finished product,” Quinn said. “We take it one game at a time. We try to get better and better and peak at the right time.

“We bring it every game. The seniors know they have one last crack at this, and it will take all of us to get it done.”

QV’s goaltending tandem of senior Ian Lorang (6-1) and freshman Kian McKenna (3-0) combined to log a 1.50 goals-against average and a 9-1 record. Lorang and McKenna faced 205 shots overall and allowed just 17 goals.

Quaker Valley maintained a slight lead in the PIHL Class A Blue Division thanks to its 9-1 record.

With four shutouts in 10 games, the Quakers led Moon (7-2-1-2), Canon-McMillan (8-0) and Blackhawk (5-2-1), the second-, third- and fourth-place teams.

Blackhawk tightened the race Dec. 8 with a 5-4 shootout victory against QV.

McHenry scored twice for the Quakers. Modrovich and Vasbinder also scored and Lorang made 28 saves. Lezama collected two assists while junior forward Kieran Cain, senior defenseman Charles D’Antonio and Watson were credited with one apiece.

Other Blue Division teams consist of North Catholic (4-4-1), Hampton (4-4-0-1), Indiana (4-5-0-1), Montour (3-5-1-1), Meadville (2-7-1-2), Beaver (2-6-1), Freeport (0-5-2-1) and Richland (1-8).

There are 12 teams in the Blue Division and 11 in the Gold Division in Class A. Gold Division members consist of Mars, Chartiers Valley, Butler, Avonworth, North Hills, West Allegheny, Greensburg Salem, Plum, South Park, Wheeling Central Catholic and Westmont-Hilltop.

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