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Bethel Park girls soccer under leadership of familiar face

By Eleanor Bailey Sports Editor Ebailey@thealmanac.Net 7 min read
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Bethel Park girls' soccer coach Missy Dalbon discusses strategy with her team during halftime. Dalbon is the new head coach.

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Missy Dalbon

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Erin Thompson (No. 14) of Bethel Park battles

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Olivia Schram (No. 26) controls the soccer play despite heavy pressure from defender Julia LaLama (No. 15)

Missy Dalbon’s soccer career at Bethel Park has come full circle. A standout player for the Lady Hawks, she is now coaching her alma mater.

“I’m excited to be back,” Dalbon said. “It is an honor and a privilege to come back and coach where I once played and for the community that I grew up in and now live.”

Dalbon, who resides in Bethel Park with her husband, Blair, and daughter, Callee, had a storied playing career. Better known as Missy Shields in high school, she earned the National Soccer Coaches Athletic Association’s Regional All-America distinction. Twice named Almanac MVP and inducted into her high school’s Hall of Fame, she also gained all-state acclaim two times. She was a four-time all-section and all-district performer. She also excelled at West Virginia University.

While she holds a USSF C coaching license and has honed her skills as a mentor in the Beadling Soccer Club since 2006, Dalbon has made the circuit on the local scene, coaching throughout the South Hills. She has served as an assistant at Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair and Canon-McMillan. Each of those squads advanced deep into the WPIAL playoffs, with the Blue Devils making the semifinals last season and the Lady Macs qualifying for the state playoffs during her tenure.

While those experiences have aided Dalbon in her transition, just working with students is an asset for her as well. Dalbon is in her 14th year as an eighth-grade language arts teacher at Canonsburg Middle School.

“I love my job at Canon-Mac and I love my students and the level at which I am,” she said.

Dalbon is equally pleased to be at Bethel Park.

“I’m really enjoying my time here so far. Absolutely excited about it,” Dalbon enthused. “I have spent a lot of time with these girls since April. I’ve gotten to know them well on and off the field. They are absolutely dedicated and I admire that. I’m proud to coach them.”

Dalbon’s new job has not been without challenges. She noted that there is always going to be an adjustment period when a new coach arrives on the scene.

“It’s a transition for all. An adjustment for everybody to find the right fit,” she said.

Because of injuries, the Hawks continue to search for the right fit on a regular basis. They have yet to settle on a definitely line-up. That has not prevented them from being competitive. Though they have started the season at 0-5-2, they have tied powerhouses such as Upper St. Clair, 1-1, and South Park, 0-0. The Hawks also battled Norwin before falling, 2-0.

“They are ranked No. 1 in the country and they are a great team but we played with them,” Dalbon said of the Knights. “We had our chances. It’s been the same with each game that we have played.

“Unfortunately, for us, we have been hit with the injury bug but we are seeing how the girls react to that.”

Indeed, injuries have factored into both BP’s lack of success as well as scoring. The Hawks were depended upon veteran Bailey Farabaugh for offensive punch but the Robert Morris recruit suffered an ACL tear and is lost for the season. Farabaugh was expected to be a returning starter in the midfield along with Jordan Mehalko. An Allegheny recruit and another key cog, Mehalko also has not played yet due to a knee injury. Another team captain, Anna McLinden suffered a head injury. The senior defender was awaiting medical clearance to play.

Sophia Galietta, however, remains BP’s one constant. A sophomore, she started on defense as a freshman. Galietta has a high soccer IQ as her father, Mike, coaches the boys’ squad at Bethel.

“Sophia has done well, said Dalbon. “She keeps us organized in the back.

Though youthful, defense is where BP’s strength lies. Kelsey and Erin Thompson are typically starters in the back. Kelsey is a senior captain and Erin is a junior.

Juniors Natalie DiGiorno and Julia Mascaro, a team captain, are defensive midfielders that have performed well so far this fall, says Dalbon. Additionally, Teagan Mehalko has “stepped up and done a good job” as an outside defender. She is a freshman.

Rylee Pettigrew starts in the nets. She is a senior. Freshman Abby Karstensen is the back-up goalkeeper.

Up front, Meg Mathias has become the team’s offensive threat, having registered the lone tally in the 1-1 tie against USC. Senior Savannah Popp joins the sophomore on the forward line. In the midfield, Tianna Torles, a sophomore, and Olivia Schram, a freshman, start in the midfield or up front for the Hawks. Schram comes from strong soccer bloodlines as her cousin, Taylor, was a standout at Canon-McMillan and Penn State.

While the Hawks rely on the experience of seniors Brooke Buehler, Meredith Heh and Jaden Herceg as well as junior Natalie Johnson, the are playing a lot of younger players, including freshman such as Alena Kauric and Rachel Toth as well as sophomores such as Molly Hoffman and Harley Vincler.

Dalbon is pleased with the way the players have stepped up. “We are young,” she conceded, “but many of the players have taken on new responsibilities and roles. I’m happy with them.

“Our line-up is always changing. It depends upon who’s healthy and the best fit for that game,” Dalbon continued. “We are trying to raise the bar here and trying to get better. I believe that will come. We just have to stay healthy and take it one game at a time.”

Despite playing in the toughest section in the WPIAL, that is exactly how Dalbon expects to transform the program at Bethel Park.

“We are looking to build upon and improve from last year.

“I think every opponent in our section is tough. It is definitely one of the most competitive sections in the WPIAL, so every game is going to be a battle. We need to stay focused on one game at a time and need to keep everyone healthy in order to be successful this season. We are looking to build upon and improve. The goal is to get better with each game and be more successful with each season.”Hunter Bruce

Age: 17

Birthdate: Nov. 24

Parents: Marcy and Allan

Siblings: Connor, 15, Marra, 12

Hometown: McMurray

School: Peters Township

Year: Senior

Sport: Golf

GPA: 3.74

College choice: Penn State

Major: Undecided

Career choice: Undecided “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

Dream course: Laurel Valley

Best course you played: Oakmont Country Club. “It’s one of the greatest in the country and I enjoyed playing last year’s WPIAL championships there. Some day I’d love to come back and play it as a pro.”

Color: Red

Food: Steak or shrimp

Movie: American Sniper

Song: Candy Paint

Restaurant: Olive Garden:

Class: PE

Dream Destination: Bahamas

Favorite athlete: Justin Combs

Hero: My parents

People might be surprised to know this about you? I used to play hockey.

Who you would like to have dinner with? Tiger Woods. “I have always looked up to him since a little kid. I still do.”

When you are not golfing, you are? Working out at the Southpointe Health club. “I do weights, cardio and machines. It’s a tough question what exercise or equipment I like best because I like them all.”

How has golf prepared you for life? “It’s helped me be more respectful. It’s taught me sportsmanship and values.”

What do you like best about your sport? It’s fun and competivive

In 15 years, I will be: Hopefully playing on the tour but who knows.

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