Thomas Jefferson boys soccer coming together, ready for section race

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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It was a tight race in boys soccer between Thomas Jefferson and Bethel Park in Section 2-3A last year.

And it appears 2025 is developing into a mirror image of 2024.

TJ started out unbeaten in the first month of the season with a 7-0-1 record.

The only blemish on the Jaguars’ record? A 1-1 tie Aug. 28 with Bethel Park, last year’s section champion.

As of Sept. 15, TJ was 4-0-1 in league play. The Jaguars ended up 10-3-1 and in second place in the section last season.

“Our expectation is to compete for a section championship and make a run to the WPIAL championship,” TJ coach Michael “Doc” Kulish said. “As we are coming up to the end of the first half of the season, I feel we are starting to jell as a team.

“Our defense has really been playing well. Our scoring has been balanced and not having to rely on one or two people. It seems that every game it is somebody different finding the back of the net.”

The veteran field boss welcomed five starters back from last year’s 14-2-3 squad: goalkeeper Sam Wessel, defender Will Moser and midfielders Owen Householder, Logan Barron and Jacob Surrena, one of 11 juniors on the team. There also are 11 seniors on the roster including Wessel, Moser, Householder and Barron.

A fourth-year starter, Wessel posted 12 shutouts in 2024 as the Jaguars surrendered only eight regular season goals.

This year, TJ had allowed just three goals in eight games and Wessel already had attained five shutouts. He also is a kicker on the TJ football team.

“In my opinion, Sam Wessel is one of the top goalies in the WPIAL this year,” Kulish said.

Wessel recorded his fifth clean sheet Sept. 11 when TJ blanked Ringgold, 5-0, in a Section 2-3A match at home.

Junior forward Gavin Kern recorded a hat trick to spark the Jaguars offensively. Nathaniel Rice, a junior defender, and Householder added a goal apiece.

Two days earlier, freshman midfielder Tyler Surrena led TJ to a 2-0 win over South Fayette by scoring both goals in the game. Householder and Kern were credited with assists.

The Jaguars also crushed Albert Gallatin, 9-0, in previous action as Householder had a hat trick and Kern knocked in two goals.

Wessel, Moser, Householder, senior midfielder Andrew Callaghan and junior defender Benjamin Powell are 2025 team captains.

As of Sept. 15, TJ and Bethel Park were tied for first place in section play at 4-0-1, followed by Trinity (4-1) and Laurel Highlands (3-2). Ringgold (2-3), South Fayette (2-3), Albert Gallatin (0-5) and McKeesport (0-5) rounded out the standings.

“As always, we take a game-by-game approach,” Kulish said. “There are still a lot of important games left and we cannot overlook anybody.”

The Jaguars’ starting lineup consists of Kern, Householder and Barron at forward; senior Cody O’Hare, junior Jacob Surrena and freshman Tyler Surrena (who replaced an injured Callaghan) at midfield; Moser, Powell and seniors Jack Hilf and Enrique Ochoa on defense; and Wessel.

Householder led the team in goals and was tied in assists with O’Hare. Other top offensive threats included Kern, Tyler Surrena and Barron.

Notable athletes who graduated from last year’s squad include section player of the year Brayden Miller (28 goals, 10 assists), also an all-WPIAL and all-state selection; Jake Shoemaker (16 goals, 19 assists), a section and WPIAL all-star; and all-section defender Bryce Kameg.

Kulish began the 2025 season with a 447-188-40 career record at TJ. He is assisted by his son, Michael Kulish III, the Jaguars’ junior varsity head coach, along with Derek Bakewell and Scott Graham.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson