Sophomore forward Moeller filling net for Baldwin boys soccer

By: Ray Fisher
Monday, October 1, 2018 | 10:21 PM

Joey Moeller keeps churning out the goals.

Moeller, a sophomore forward, poured in five goals in a recent section game against Brashear, leading the Baldwin boys soccer team to an 8-1 victory.

“Joey is just a tireless worker,” said Dave Zinski, Baldwin’s first-year coach, “and does all the little things a striker needs to do to give his team a chance to win. Not to mention he’s very talented on top of that.”

A pair of freshmen, forward Cole Thomas (2) and midfielder Niraj Thapa, also netted goals in the Brashear game, which opened the second half of section play.

Baldwin previously blanked Bethel Park, 2-0, thanks to goals by junior midfielders Pasi Oswald and Ray Thomas, and senior goalkeeper Jackson Brandwene’s shutout performance. Brandwene also is a kicking specialist on the Baldwin football team.

Zinski and the Highlanders are hoping to secure a WPIAL playoff berth down the season’s home stretch. Baldwin has not had a winning record in boys soccer since 2014 and has not advanced to the playoffs since 2011.

Six teams were in playoff contention in Section 2-4A: Upper St. Clair (6-0-1), Canon-McMillan (5-2), Peters Township (4-3), Baldwin (3-3-1), Bethel Park (3-4) and Mt. Lebanon (2-4).

“My expectations are the same as the (season’s) first half — work hard, play our style, and compete every second of every game,” Zinski said. “As far as the playoffs, if the season ended today, we would be in. So yes, I think we are capable of making the playoffs, but we have to earn it.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin