Chartiers Valley still playing tough competition in soccer
Because of the new alignment in boys’ soccer, things seem different at Chartiers Valley. But they aren’t, necessarily. While the Colts remain in Class AAA, they still challenge their Quad-A brothers.
Last week, for example, the Colts tangled with Peters Township. For nearly 60 minutes, the teams battled to a scoreless tie. Bryce Gabelhart snapped the deadlock, scoring for the Indians, and Justin Gamble turned back 10 shots to ensure the 1-0 shutout. In the loss, SV’s Caleb Zajicek excelled. He stopped eight shots for the Colts.
For as long as Garrett MacKenzie can remember, CV has played in the same section with the Indians, as well as Upper St. Clair and Moon. When MacKenzie and his brother, Travis, played in the early 2000s, they won WPIAL titles and upset those rivals to reach the state finals.
“It will be different not being in a section with them, but we are still playing those teams in our out-of-section schedule,” MacKenzie said. “So we will be challenging our team by playing top teams in all classifications.”
In Class AAA, the Colts are facing some of the top teams, too. Section 4, in which they compete, features South Fayette, which won the WPIAL Class AA title in 2015. Thomas Jefferson is another soccer power. Gateway, McKeesport and West Mifflin complete the alignment.
“We are in a competitive league, with teams that have had success,” MacKenzie acknowledged. “Our goals and expectations, though, will always be the same: to win the section, win the WPIAL championship and win the PIAA title. We work toward these goals each and every year.”
In 2016, the Colts intend to challenge for championships with a host of upperclassmen who have gained valuable experience over the past few years. In addition to Zajicek, who was an all-section keeper, Sean Tinney returns to the attack. The striker scored 15 goals and collected 10 assists last season. Additionally, all-section midfielder Charlie Kovach returns to a squad that posted a 7-7-1 record in 2015.
Defenders Jack Barlow and Josh Dimatteo also return to the starting lineup, and Baxter Eckenrode is back at midfield this season for the Colts.
Jimmy Boyle, Lennon Zrimsek and Nate Wood are among the other players that will be depended upon to contribute to the Colts’ effort on the varsity level.
Lady Colts
Meanwhile, the Lady Colts are making their way through a new section, as well. However, Chartiers Valley must do so without one of the league’s top players. All-WPIAL performer Morgan Henderson is out for the season. The senior tore her ACL while playing for her Beadling Soccer team during this summer’s nationals.
As a result, CV returns only four starters from last year’s 8-8-1 club. Those veterans are midfielder Allie Ball, forward Tia Horew, and defenders Lauren Lohman and Emily Gillot. All are juniors.
The Colts, however, do have many players with varsity experience and, according to head coach Ron Moreschi, have the opportunity to step up. Those players include senior midfielders Kelly Ryan, Samanatha Hartnett and Emily Smith, as well as junior defenders Emma Comis and Alli Martz, and goalie Makyal Walker. Ryan is returning to the lineup after missing last season because of ACL surgery. Sophomores Alexandra Ferrella, a defender, and Olivia Mandus, a midfielder, also boast varsity experience.
Juniors Claire Wilps, Gabby Bauman, Makayla Mayhew, Krissa Doherty, Liz Magnelli, Courtney Doyle, Jenna Wood and Kaylee Gross along with sophomores Sarah Smith and Emily Issac provide the team with depth and competition for playing time.
“Our strength is usually our athleticism and that is true again,” Moreschi said. “But I also feel that we have a good core unit along with strong role players. We expect to challenge for the section title and make the playoffs.”
The Colts are off to a good start toward reaching their objectives. They opened the season with victories against Charleroi, 3-2, and Avonworth, 5-0, before winning their Section 3-AAA opener against Obama Academy, 5-0. CV also faced West Mifflin (Sept. 10) and Trinity (Sept. 12) in league play. Oakland Catholic, Thomas Jefferson, Ringgold and South Park complete the section.
“I am actually happy with the new classification,” Moreschi said. “I feel that it has leveled the playing field for many schools. I realize that there will always be a school that is the smallest in their classification, but the difference between the smallest and largest school won’t be as significant as it was with the old classifications. As the smallest AAA school in the state the last two years, I am glad that my team will play against schools similar in size with the new classification.”
Smaller doesn’t necessarily mean easier. While unfamiliar with the teams because they have not been past foes, the Colts are aware of their opponents’ reputations.
“The difficult part about playing in a new classification is that we haven’t played most of the teams in our new section,” Moreschi said. “However, I know that South Park will be very strong, and Oakland Catholic is coming off a playoff season. Ringgold should be competitive, along with TJ, West Mifflin and Trinity. Outside of section, Moon and Mars will be the other top teams in AAA.”
Other action
Peters Township battled North Allegheny to a scoreless tie. The game was called eight minutes into the first overtime period because of lightning. Justin Gamble racked up his fourth shutout of the season, turning back eight shots on goal.
Meanwhile, the Lady Indians dropped a 3-2 decision to the Tigers. Mia Toscano and Natalie Daube scored the goals for Peters.
Sabrina Bryan had a hat trick and Aideen O’Donoghue added two tallies as Canon-McMillan blanked Belle Vernon, 7-0. Addi Roman and Annabel Thomas completed the scoring. Thomas dished up two assists while O’Donoghue recorded one.
South Fayette opened section play with a 1-0 win against Ambridge. Rachel Helbling scored the lone goal. Jayna Fittapaldo assisted. Samantha Boleno tallied 12 saves in goal.
The Lady Lions, who lost to Montour, 3-0, this past weekend, earlier had posted wins against Waynesburg Central, 3-2, and Belle Vernon, 7-0, in their season-opening tournament. Fittapaldo, Brenna McGuire and Kate Nelson scored against Waynesburg. Rachel Weis collected two tallies against the Leopards. McGuire, Autumn Heinemann, Mataya Mikesell, Sarah Meindl and Helina VanBibber racked up the other goals.