New man at helm of Mt. Lebanon soccer program
William Perz instructs his Mt. Lebanon soccer players during intermission of a game with Pine-Richland.
William Perz consoles one of his players while also directing the Mt. Lebanon boys’ soccer team during a non-section clash against Pine-Richland.
After 44 years, a man not named Wilcher heads up the Mt. Lebanon High School boys’ soccer team.
Ron Wilcher, who succeded his father, John, founder of the program in 1972, retired after 31 seasons as skipper.
Wilcher’s protégé, William Perz, now coaches the squad. The 2003 graduate played on Lebo’s 2002 WPIAL championship team. He then played at Penn State Behrend, where he helped the Lions win the AMCC title and make their first NCAA tournament appearance.
After completing his degree at Duquesne University, Perz embarked on his coaching career. He helped old classmates Aaron Panzyck and Mike Thomas guide Seton-La Salle to WPIAL and PIAA Class A championships. After that two-year stint, Perz joined the staff at his alma mater. From 2009-13, he coached the freshman and junior varsity teams. During the last three years, he served as Wilcher’s assistant.
“I am so thankful to be able to not only play for Coach Wilcher but also coach on his staff,” said Perz. “Coach Wilcher taught me about the many aspects of the game and how the training process directly effects your play on the field. Without his guidance, I would not be the coach that I am today.”
Because of the Wilcher name, Perz wants to maintain the tradition that has produced 10 district champions and several state championship appearances, including a PIAA title in 1981. Ron Wilcher mounted a 477-184-50 record while his father, John, posted a 218-51-20 mark.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have been able to learn about the game from some great coaches,” said Perz, who also has been on the Beadling Soccer Club’s coaching staff since 2014. “My goal for the program is to compete every day and represent Mt. Lebanon in a manner where the school, alumni and community are proud of the work that we’ve put in.”
In between his work at Rupp & Fiore Insurance Management and while awaiting the birth of his first child with his wife, Lindsay, Perz has put in the time preparing this year’s teams for the challenges of a new classification by implementing his own strategy for producing a winner.
“My coaching philosophy is always going to be a work in progress,” Perz said. “Part of the reason is that I recognize that you can never stop learning and adapting. I want my players to have the same mentality, because whether it is on the soccer field or in the classroom, that kind of mindset will help them become successful individuals.”
Since the start of the 2016 campaign, the Blue Devils have been adapting and improving, as they are a youthful bunch. Hunter Noble, a junior, anchors the defense in goal. Seniors Filip Slavkovic, Jack Austin and Noah West are providing the leadership.
“That’s necessary for our group to succeed as is Noble’s stability in between the posts,” explained Perz. “Because this year’s team is comprised of a lot of young players, the scenario has created an extremely competitive environment and that is helping us improve every day.”
The Blue Devils also are looking for help and improvement from Harriss Barker, Cole Cafaro, Griffin, Coyne, Giuseppe Croce, Luigino Croce, Brendan Daeschner, Russell Dale, Cole Engel, Peter Garlitz, Raymond Giarrusso, Samuel Herbay, Grant Holt, Eli Holtschlag, Dylan Jones, Andrew Kirk, Jackson Mackey, Emmett Meinzer, Jack Remark, Dylan Roberts, Thomas Robinson, Alexander Sahinidis and Palmer West.
The young team, however, has taken lumps early. During the East-West Classic, which annually features the top teams in the state, Lebo dropped decisions to Wilson, 7-0, and Exeter, 2-0. The Blue Devils also tied West Allegheny, 3-3, and battled Pine-Richland before falling, 2-1. Lebo kicked off Section 2, Quad-A action last night (Sept. 13) at Bethel Park.
The Blue Devils also compete in a division with defending 2015 WPIAL Class AAA champion Canon-McMillan, as well as previous state champions Peters Township and Upper St. Clair. Baldwin is also in the section.
“The conference realignment definitely presents challenges in terms of the competition, day in and day out,” Perz said. “I think it also presents great opportunities, though. In order to compete in this league, we will need to be prepared to play our best every time we step on the pitch. All of the teams in our section are quality programs.”