Team effort carries Latrobe boys soccer to strong start

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 17, 2018 | 7:33 PM

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A commitment to the team has paid off for Latrobe’s boys soccer squad.

The Wildcats put aside their individual goals for the sake of the overall group. That’s resulted in a positive start as the team went 4-1 in its first four Section 3-4A games.

“The key has been the team. I’ve had groups before that didn’t play as a team and work as well as a team. These guys are committed to playing as a team,” Latrobe coach Tom Kennedy said. “They are committed to working and covering each other. They are working to try to be successful. It’s very enjoyable to coach them.”

Already, Latrobe (4-2 overall) has matched its section win total from last year when it went 4-8 and missed the playoffs.

“I think, this year, we’re playing a lot like a team. In past years, we’ve had a couple players that haven’t really valued the team. Everyone sticks to our strategy and it’s an all-around team effort this year,” Latrobe senior Matt Henderson said. “Compared to the last couple years, personally, it’s been a lot more fun this year, obviously, because we’re winning and there’s just a better overall bond with the team.”

The squad beat Plum (2-1), Penn-Trafford (3-2), Connellsville (2-1) and Penn Hills (6-1) in the section. The Wildcats’ lone section setback came to Norwin, 4-2.

“In the second half of that game, we kind of got our act together. We had a bad first half. They are very good and their record shows that. We didn’t play our game the way we wanted to and that kind of opened up opportunities for them. We were playing their game. They are good enough that, if we made a mistake, they took advantage of it,” Kennedy said.

“We started playing the way we know how in the second half and got some opportunities and capitalized on them. By us getting opportunities, it prevents other teams from getting them.”

Latrobe’s offense has been able to generate 15 goals through the team’s first six matches. The Wildcats take a team approach there, too. Not one player is the focus of the offense.

“It’s been a different person every game,” Kennedy said. “Our system of play allows different people to have different opportunities if they are in the spots where they are supposed to be. It gives us balance and means that someone can’t focus on just one player. Teams may shut us down, but it isn’t going to be because the focus is on a certain player.”

The balance has made the offense flow naturally for Latrobe, instead of forcing the attack.

“It’s great because you know you have people you can trust,” Latrobe senior Marshall Kalning said. “We’re just playing as a team. It’s that simple.”

It’s the same story for the defense, too, which allowed 10 goals through the first six matches.

“Defensively, they work good as a unit,” Henderson said. “The two center backs are vocal and seniors, and they seem to step up their game when the opponents get tougher.”

“Our defense is good,” Kalning added. “They are staying calm and composed back there, which is what they need to do.”

The Wildcats wrap up the first half of section play this week and begin the second half Saturday against Plum.

“It’s not even close to being over yet,” Kalning said. “We just think we’re in a good place now.”

They hope it leads to a postseason berth.

“We’re staying focused. There are playoff spots available. It’d be great to win the section, but someone has to knock off Norwin. It’d be great to finish second or third because you’d get a better seed for the playoffs. Just making playoffs would be extremely nice, but there are a lot of games to go yet,” Kennedy said.

“One of the things we’re trying to do is control our own destiny. In the past, we’ve had a slow start or stumbled and, pretty soon, you’re hoping someone else stumbles, too. So far, they’ve had a great attitude and are working hard.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Latrobe