With success of boys, girls teams, Sewickley area becomes epicenter of Western Pa. soccer

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, October 26, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Welcome to Soccer Shangri-la.

The combined regular-season records in 2025 for the two Quaker Valley soccer teams was 28-4-2.

“There must be something in the water,” said Sean Ryan, QV’s boys coach, “besides lots of calcium. For the past seven years, I have been witness to the unending talent coming through this school; it really is remarkable.

“When you look a little deeper, you begin to see that similar families that brought success in the ‘80s and ‘90s are now the parents of those who we see on the field today. Quaker Valley was fortunate enough to have leaders such as Gene Klein, Leo Moss and many others. Those leaders who teach the love of the game are to be credited with inspiring people enough that they share that love with their children. Without the passion of those individuals and without the character of these families, we do not have success.”

Both QV squads were section champions this year. The girls team went 9-0-1 in section received the No. 3 seed in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs. The QV boys went 14-1-1 and landed the second seed.

The teams outscored the opposition by a 134-11 difference in section play and 153-17 overall. They also achieved 21 shutouts between them.

“Our soccer teams both returned a number of letter winners, which provided tremendous experience and leadership for both and helped them capture section championships,” said Mike Mastroianni, QV’s athletic director and boys basketball coach.

The QV girls are the defending WPIAL Class 2A champions. The Quakers gave up just two goals in 10 section games this year and six goals overall.

Sewickley Academy’s girls team, meanwhile, won the Section 3-A title this season, finished 12-0 in section play and 15-1 overall.

“I believe Western Pennsylvania as a whole is becoming much more competitive in the youth soccer landscape,” Sewickley coach Joel Stewart said. “There are more opportunities to play at higher levels, and we are competing more with other areas known for their youth soccer programs.

“There are more opportunities, better coaching, and better competition than there ever has been in Western Pennsylvania which is certainly contributing to the rise in local talent.”

Sewickley’s boys squad was upset by Neshannock, 3-2, in its final regular-season contest to drop the Panthers into second place in Section 1-A.

“I believe our team has grown since the start of the year,” said Chase D’Antonio, a senior forward at Sewickley. “We are playing a good brand of soccer. I don’t think our overall record defines our team’s success.

“The (strength) of our team is our experience. We have many solid players with great chemistry allowing us to move the ball efficiently. We are going to have a great run and give every team a battle. Despite being the seventh seed, I am still confident we are a candidate to go far.”

The two Sewickley squads combined to outscore the opposition 129-29 including a 101-20 difference in section play. The two teams rang up 15 shutouts.

“I am really proud of what these teams have accomplished this year,” said Mike Scerbo, the Panthers’ director of athletics. “While each team is built differently, the boys with strong senior leadership and the girls with youthful talent, both teams are building off a rich tradition in soccer at the academy.

“The two major factors driving success for both sides are outstanding leadership from the coaching staffs and a relentless competitive drive from the students. I am hopeful to see soccer well into November.”

All four Sewickley/Leetsdale area teams allowed an average of one goal against or less with the QV girls allowing a miniscule 0.2 goals per game.

The QV boys averaged 5.3 goals per game on offense; Sewickley’s girls scored at a 5.1 clip per game.

It’s been an awesome season for all the Sewickley and QV soccer athletes but particularly Levi Carver, a senior midfielder for the Quakers.

“I had ACL reconstruction surgery mid-April and didn’t know if I was going to be back in time to play during my senior season,” Carver said. “Thankfully, I was able to return to playing in early September, and I am very grateful for every day that I can play soccer with the team.

“Being back to playing has been a huge blessing, and I’m very proud of how our team has done this year. We’ve had to overcome injuries and play difficult games with key players missing. And we started our section season with a tough loss, but it motivated us more than anything.”

Tags: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy