Gremlins set their sights on winning district crown

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

September 02, 2005 Last Updated: September 02, 2005 03:19 PM High School

Winning the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference championship was a nice accomplishment for Karns City's boys soccer team last year.

The Gremlins have bigger things in mind this year.

"We only lost three seniors from last season and wound up finishing runner-up in District 9," coach Roy Parker said. "We should be able to improve on that - which would be winning the district championship.

"Our expectations are such that if we don't win the league and at least return to the district finals, it'd be a disappointment."

Karns City returns 10 seniors who saw considerable action a year ago, including 21-goal scorers Andrew Harmon and Mark Ferguson.

The team has two viable goalkeepers in Mike Lopresti and Zach Fleeger. It also has an exchange student from Brazil, Dan Thuronyi, who Parker says "is a very good player."

Here is a look at area boys soccer this season:

Coach: Chris Kelley, first yearLast year: 5-13Key returnees: Steve Armahizer (senior midfield), K.J. Ludlum (senior defender), Ben Horner (junior midfield)Key note: Troy Mohney, a member of Butler's last undefeated and section championship team of 1993, is an assistant coach under Kelley this year.Kelley says: "We're trying to rebuild this program. The key is to develop younger players so you don't have big gaps between talented teams. We want to change the losing attitude into a winning attitude, develop discipline and present an attractive brand of soccer that people will want to see."

Coach: Chris McGrady, 11th yearLast year: 8-11Key returnees: Mike Zeidler (senior defender), Sean Mientus (senior defender), Brian Mason (senior midfield), Tyler Hawk (senior midfield), Jeremy Gugino (senior defender), Mike Woitas (junior forward, 10 goals, 9 assists)Key note: The Yellowjackets lost senior defender Bryant Hank for the season due to an automobile accident.McGrady says: "I'm excited about the attitude on this team. The kids worked hard all off-season. We're trying to jell as a team in a very tough section."

Coach: Brian Beil, fourth yearLast year: 11-7-2Key returnees: Mark Stein (senior forward, 5 goals), Greg Hershberger (senior forward, 5 goals), Gordon Craig (junior defender), Nico Hutchinson (junior midfield)Key note: The Eagles haven't reached the District 10 playoffs since 1999.Beil says: "Our team atmosphere is the best its been in the four years I've been here, and that's more important than having 20-goal scorers. Our biggest goal is to get to the playoffs. We also want to beat Slippery Rock, which we haven't done in five years."

Coach: Roy Parker, sixth yearLast year: 15-5, KSAC champion and District 9 finalistKey returnees: Andrew Harmon (senior forward, 21 goals), Mark Ferguson (senior forward, 21 goals), Josiah Grubbs (senior midfield), Zach Fleeger (senior goalkeeper-midfield), Mike Lopresti (senior goalkeeper), Dale Grimm (senior sweeper), Cody McElravy (senior sweeper), Chad Zabicki (senior midfield), Aaron Ganter (senior fullback), Evan Crawford (senior fullback)Key note: The Gremlins must replace the leadership of Nathan Knox, the team's stopper the past four years.Parker says: "We have experience and depth this year, and we've never really had depth before. The real key for us will be finding that leader on the field. We have the talent, but there has to be someone out there directing that talent."

Coach: Gus Negrette, second yearLast year: Reached first round of WPIAL playoffsKey returnees: D.J. Thomas (senior forward, 19 goals), Eric Steighner (senior forward, 14 goals), Scott Herman (junior forward)Key note: The Knights graduated six seniors from last year's playoff team.Negrette says: "I think we'll do great. Our goal this year is to become section champions. Both of our section losses last year were to Mars, so we know the hurdle we have to overcome."

Coach: Blair Gerlach, fourth yearLast year: 15-6-1, reached second round of WPIAL playoffsKey returnees: Adam Dillner (senior forward, 11 goals), Greg Tabisz (senior midfield, 11 goals), Drew Siegel (senior goalkeeper, 8 shutouts), Nick Perri (junior midfield), Matt Perri (senior defender), Bobby McKinney (junior defender), Andrew Dillner (senior midfield), Derek Workman (junior midfield)Key note: The Planets were 14-0 in section play last year while winning the program's first-ever section title.Gerlach says: "We had a big season last year with only two returning starters, but we won't be under the radar this year. We've seen preseason rankings that list us fifth in the WPIAL, but all we want to do is work hard and get back to the playoffs."

Coach: George Williams, 11th yearLast year: Finished third in section, qualified for WPIAL playoffsKey returnees: Bobby Albrecht (senior midfield), Tyler Smith (senior forward), Steve Staniland (senior defender), Dave Monteleone (senior goalkeeper), Kevin Miller (senior midfield), Shane Kunder (senior forward)Key note: The Raiders weren't a high-scoring team last year. Smith and Kunder are being counted on to spark the offense.Williams says: "The cohesiveness of our seniors will be important this year. Most of them have played together since seventh or eighth grade. Our goal is to finish higher in the section and advance in the playoffs, but it won't be easy with teams like Pine-Richland, Hampton and North Allegheny in there."

Coach: Anthony Buzard, second yearLast year: 18-3-2, District 10 runner-upKey returnees: Joe Bryan (senior goalkeeper), Mike Durso (junior sweeper), Craig Bicehouse (junior midfielder), Alex Fair (senior defender)Key note: The Rockets graduated nine players from last year's team, including their top three scorers.Buzard says: "Our overall inexperience could be a problem, but we're pretty confident we can have a strong season. With junior varsity, indoor and travel leagues, these kids have played a lot of soccer together. Now they have to get used to playing at a higher level."