With nod to past, Shady Side Academy boys soccer working to tighten up in future

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Ed Ellsworth wants every group of Shady Side Academy boys soccer players to know that they have a strong support system in place. The goal is for the Bulldogs to become part of the pipeline once they move on in life.

Ellsworth said Shady Side Academy had 12 alumni drop in throughout the preseason and several players have stayed included on team chats, such as Sam Farner, who plays at Liberty.

“We have a history that you can draw on,” Ellsworth said. “There’s such a connection to the past. The connection to the alumni is deeper than any team in the WPIAL. That means everything. If it’s just coming from me, the message can get old. From them, it has more power.”

Having access to learn from past players and their struggles is a good resource for this group. Shady Side Academy opened the season 2-3 overall, including 2-2 in section play.

The Bulldogs have had their struggles on defense, allowing three or more goals in all of their defeats.

“We have to tighten it up a lot,” Ellsworth said. “It’s some silly goals, to be honest. When you watch the games back on film, we are controlling the chances and out-chancing the opponents. They are correctable errors.”

Shady Side Academy is led by senior captain Mark Bence. Ellsworth said that Bence has deep ties to the sport. Bence’s grandfather, Paul, played for Brentford FC, which currently competes in the English Premier League.

Ellsworth said senior Manek Gerhardy is another player who has shown his mental toughness. He was tasked with taking a penalty kick as a freshman in the playoffs.

“We have a lot of good leaders,” Ellsworth said. “We take care of the ball well. We create a lot of goal scoring chances, but we haven’t finished them yet.”

The Bulldogs have been working out some kinks in the lineup early in the season.

“It’s a situation where we have to feel out the early part of the season,” Ellsworth said. “We want to see what seat on the bus they belong on and get everyone where they need to be.”

Shady Side Academy lost its last two matches by a combined score of 7-2 to North Catholic and Fox Chapel. The Bulldogs put up plenty of goals during their two wins this season.

Shady Side Academy beat Burrell, 9-0, and Freeport, 4-0.

“We have a system,” Ellsworth said. “It’s been 12 years at Shady Side Academy now. The kids come in and don’t have to guess at what they do. Once they get into position, they know where the ball is expected to go, how we are getting the goal and how to finish. It’s no big secret.”

Tags: Shady Side Academy