Chartiers Valley prepares for stiff competition
One constant hasn’t changed since Garrett MacKenzie played soccer at Chartiers Valley. Currently the coach at his alma mater, MacKenzie feels the competition is comparable.
“In my opnion, (Section 5-AAA) is the toughest in the state. Always was,” he emphasized.
Only difference, however, has been the Colts’ ability to compete. When MacKenzie played, the Colts were a perennial playoff power. They won a WPIAL championship his junior year and reached the PIAA finals his senior season. Last year, in his first season at the helm, the Colts posted a 4-10-2 overall record. They won only one game and tied another in the section.
In 2015, MacKenzie again looks for Peters Township, Upper St. Clair and Canon-McMillan to dominate the division. The Indians and Panthers are ranked in the Top 10 in the state. Both played in the last two WPIAL finals with the Indians emerging as two-time PIAA champions. The Big Macs have been playoff powers the past few years.
Hence, the Colts have humble expectations that could result in grand achievements in 2015.
“We want to get better as a team every single day,” said MacKenzie. In order for the Colts to achieve that expectation, he added, “We have to come to practice every day ready to work hard for the full workout.”
During the summer months and the training camp before the season commenced this past weekend, the team has been doing just that. In fact, that work ethic has translated into one of the team’s strengths, says MacKenzie. “These guys are working really hard to achieve our goals.”
Newcomers such as Josh DiMatteo, Baxter Eckenrode and Caleb Zajicek have labored diligently to improve. Both sophomores, Dimatteo and Eckenrode will help the Colts in the field while Zajicek, a junior, will play a key role in the nets.
“These guys will be vital to our success,” MacKenzie predicted. “They have really taken steps forward from last season to this upcoming year.”
For the most part, however, the Colts will rely on their four returning starters. Sean Tinney will headline the attack. The forward, who is a junior captain, contributed 10 goals last season. Noah Zajicek and Charlie Kovach will anchor the midfield. Luke Radzanowski anchors the defense. He captains the team along with Zajicek and Alex Novelli. Other seniors, who will be relied upon for their leadership, include: Jon Doherty, Austin Gutierrez, Max Kehoe and Alex Landefield.
In addition to Gutierrez, the Colts will also depend upon sophomores Nate Wood and Jake Hackett as well as junior Vinny Caruso in critical substitute roles.
Among the other juniors expected to help the Colts are: Jack Barlow, Rob Baumgarten, Quinn Boyle, Ben Cristofano, Derek Glausser, R.J. Kowalo, Evan Kraus, Bobby McMasters, Sam Richter, Luke Rosato and Adam Solomon.
Among the other sophomores on the squad are: Sam Bellin, Jimmy Boyle, Tanner Cyproski, Devin DiLuca, Matt Dycewski, Jonny Henderson, Kaleb Krebs, J.J. Morelli, Jon Uher, Nate Wood and Lennon Zrimsek.
Josh Butina and Anthony Molinaro are freshmen.
In the Intersection Kickoff Tournament, the Colts hosted Baldwin and Bethel Park. They will also host Seton-La Salle at 2 p.m. Sept. 12 before opening up section action with back-to-back battles against USC and Peters. The Colts visit USC at 8 p.m. Sept. 15 and host the Indians at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17.