Thomas Jefferson boys look to maintain success

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 11:00 PM

The Thomas Jefferson boys soccer program has been on a roll the past three seasons.

The Jaguars advanced to the WPIAL semifinal round before finishing 18-4 overall last season.

Two years ago, TJ qualified for the WPIAL semifinals and PIAA first round, and ended up 18-3-1 overall.

The Jaguars advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals in 2014, and posted a 13-6-1 record.

TJ enters the 2017 campaign as a defending section champion, and winner of 32 of its last 36 regular-season games.

The Jaguars started off last year in high gear, posting 11 consecutive wins. It was the first time in program history they won 11 games in a row to start a season. The Jaguars were victorious in 16 of their first 17 games last year.

“We should be competitive in our section,” coach Michael “Doc” Kulish said. “Our strength this year should be our midfield and defense with two superb goalies, (junior) Connor Dalton and (sophomore) Jack Wessel.”

There are four returning starters on this year's team, led by junior midfielder A.J. Meshanko, who accounted for 20 goals and 11 assists last season.

Meshanko was an all-WPIAL and all-section selection in 2016. He also will serve as the kicking specialist and punter on the TJ football team.

“A.J. is an outstanding and skilled all-around athlete,” Kulish said. “A.J. has great leadership attributes and is a captain on our team, along with Liam Giger and Liam Storey.”

Meshanko is looking to lead the Jaguars back to the playoffs, and also looks forward to handling the kicking chores on the football team.

“My (early) expectations, first and foremost, are that we need to win as a team and take it one game at a time. That's going to be crucial. We are a new team this year,” Meshanko said. “Once we are molded as a team, I believe we are going to be a team that our opponents should watch out for.

“Personally, I would just really like to lead this team to a solid, successful season. I feel like we have a chance of going just as far, if not farther than, we did last year.”

Meshanko, who has a 3.6 grade-point average, has booted field goals from beyond 40 yards in practice. His longest kick so far has been 47 yards.

“I'm very happy to be kicking for the football team this year,” said Meshanko, whose initials stand for Andrew John. “I think the team is excited to have me on board, and I can't wait for the season to start. I am hoping to stay healthy through both sports so I can perform to my full potential in both.”

The three other returning starters on the TJ soccer team are defensive stalwarts: Giger, Ty Folk and Dylan Sullivan, a senior, junior and sophomore, respectively. Giger was an all-section selection last season.

“One of our biggest strengths, in my opinion, is the defensive part of our unit,” Meshanko said. “Our goalies and defensive line, and the defenders on our bench that will play a lot, are all very strong.”

Storey is a senior forward/midfielder, and one of a host of returning lettermen on the squad.

Returning lettermen include seniors Dom Ranallo, Matt Bertha, Josh Martin, Jim Mulenga, Christian Arthrell, Giger and Storey; juniors Preston Lutz, Seth Thompson, Jeremy Marshall, Scott Graham, Nate Hopkins, Zach Prezioso, Meshanko, Folk and Dalton; plus sophomores Wessel and Sullivan.

Kulish is in his 25th year as TJ's field boss with a career record of 340-152-26. He will be assisted by his son, Michael Kulish III, for a 16th season; along with Brian Thatcher (second year) and Sean Richter (first year).

The Jaguars took first place in Section 4-AAA last year with a 9-1 record, ahead of Chartiers Valley (8-2), Gateway (6-4), South Fayette (5-5), West Mifflin (2-8) and McKeesport (0-10).

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson