Sewickley Academy boys soccer team surging in section play

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 6, 2018 | 10:36 PM

Sewickley Academy’s boys soccer team saw a pair of streaks end last season.

The Panthers’ winning streak in section play came to an end at 60 matches, and the program’s title run stopped at six.

This fall, though, Sewickley Academy is in the process of creating more long streaks. The team cruised through its first eight Section 1-A matches and outscored opponents 41-0.

“That’s a big statement for us, and I think it’s been really good,” Sewickley Academy senior midfielder Alex Gordon said. “Things just sort of clicked for us in the preseason. A lot of it was having the experience back from last year, and we were able to pick up where we left off. We have nine seniors on the team, and we want it really want bad this year. I feel like we’ve sort of proven that.”

The Panthers helped themselves, too, by adapting to new head coach Nathan Richter’s system quickly.

“I think it’s all about attitude and togetherness. The attention to detail, work rate and effort we put in on the training field is really showing itself on the field,” Richter said. “It’s a good group of boys. The whole thing was getting everyone to buy in and be one team, where there was no one bigger than the team itself. Starting in the preseason, everyone bought in. We had really good preseason training, and I had a really good feeling about this team. There have been some ups and downs and some good play and bad play, but I like where we are. I just hope we can hit our peak heading into playoffs.”

Offense has been abundant for Sewickley Academy (8-2), which dropped nonsection matches to North Catholic and Greensburg Central Catholic.

“We share the load for goal scoring, which is great. We preach that it has to be a team game. We’ve had all but one starter score for us, which is fantastic. When you get deeper in playoffs, you’ll see more and more teams that can take away some of your options. The more options we have to take away, the better our chances are,” Richter said.

“When we put a new system in, there was a lot of hesitation, at first. Some people had to play a different way. Once some results started coming across, they saw how successful they could be and they are really enjoying themselves on the field. It makes training every day a lot of fun. We are really enjoying our time together.”

Through 10 matches, senior Rees Baylock and Gordon led the team in goals, and Nick Joseph and a handful of others were not far behind.

“We’re really spreading it around in our system,” Gordon said. “It allows guys from all over the field to come up and get goals, which makes us dangerous.”

The team’s defense of center backs Jack Duggan and John DelVecchio, outside backs Jackson Coles and Cole Rychel and goalkeeper Nick Wilson has been spotless in section play and allowed five goals overall.

“I love putting zeros up,” Richter said. “Everything we do, we work back to front. All the credit goes to the boys. They are really focused and put the work in. I am thankful to be their coach, for sure.”

While section wins have come easily, the Panthers know they must remain sharp to make a long postseason run.

“Everybody just wants it this year. We’re playing as a unit and for each other, which is really important for us,” Gordon said.

“Everybody knows the tables turn when it comes to playoffs, and anything can happen. We’re trying to be focused in everything we do and consistent so we’re ready for it. We’re having a lot of fun. It’s fun being competitive and playing against each other in practice and getting better.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Sewickley Academy