PT boys continue unbeaten season
The calendar has turned to October and the Peters Township boys soccer team is still undefeated.
What’s the secret to their success?
“There isn’t really a secret,” Indians senior forward Anthony Maiello said. “It’s more about us combining as a group. We get along really well and try pushing each other every practice and just compete to the best of our ability to become better and beat other teams.”
Well, there might be one secret.
How Jack Stewart keeps saving penalty kicks, but he’s not divulging any hints. He’s stopped three this year including one Tuesday night in a 3-1 win over Canon-McMillan.
“I don’t want to give tactics away,” Stewart said with a smile. “But I just stay confident and trust everyone around me that if I do save it the defenders will make sure the ball doesn’t go back in.”
It’s all part of what makes the Indians tick.
Hard work, dedication and a brotherhood that has propelled them to a 9-0-1 record overall and a 6-0-1 record in Class 4A Section 2.
Not bad for a team that returned only four starters from a year ago.
The Indians are in the driver’s seat for a section title. They’ve played their two closest competitors in the section twice. They swept Canon-McMillan and went 1-0-1 against Mt. Lebanon. Connellsville, Upper St. Clair and Woodland Hills remain on the section slate.
There might not be a lot of secrets to the Indians’ success, but there are stats that point to why things have gone so well.
One of the hallmarks has been goal prevention. They’ve yielded only seven goals all season, which is the second fewest in Class 4A.
Plum has allowed only six goals, but Peters Township beat the Mustangs, 2-0, in a nonsection match earlier this season.
“Our defense has been locks all year,” Stewart said. “We just have to keep pushing toward the playoffs and continue to work hard.”
Peters Township has scored 32 goals. One of the traits they showed in Tuesday’s game against Canon-McMillan.
After the Big Macs scored to cut the Indians lead to 2-1, there was an immediate response.
From the ensuing kickoff the Indians moved the ball right down the field and Keedan Kelly scored 30 seconds after Canon-McMillan’s goal to restore the two-goal lead.
It’s that type of determination that’s helped them succeed.
“It starts with everyone’s work ethic around here,” senior midfielder Colin Froehlich said. “We push each other 110-percent every practice, every game, every day. Our defense has been unbelievable all year. We’ve limited goals and have been able to produce goals, especially (Tuesday) getting three goals against one of the best teams in the WPIAL (Canon-McMillan). It’s just hard work from everyone.”
Stewart pointed out that the Indians have talented underclassmen that have helped provide good depth to the team.
“We have sophomores ready to start,” Stewart said. “Half of our bench is probably sophomores, and they could probably start for most high school teams. That pushes all our upperclassmen as well to not lose their spots.”
What has impressed Peters Township coach Bob Dyer the most about this year’s team goes beyond them winning every game. It is how they’ve bought into playing for each other and the pride of playing for your school.
They were WPIAL semifinalists a year ago and hope to go one step further.
“There is nothing better than wearing your uniform to school in any sport and being surrounded by the people in your neighborhood,” Dyer said. “That unites us. That has made us a team. We focus on not letting your brothers on the team down. You don’t want to be the weak link. You want to be the strongest link. I think that’s why they’ve come together. They’re a good bunch of kids that care about the common goal.”
