Shaler boys soccer won’t be cowed by tough section

By: Josh Rizzo
Thursday, August 22, 2019 | 9:00 PM

Previous Next

Shaler Area boys soccer coach Adam Hunter is hopeful the Titans are better prepared for the degree of difficulty in Section 1-AAA than at this time last year.

When the WPIAL realigned conferences, three talented, competitive programs were added, and the result was a tough season for Shaler (2-15, 1-13).

“I think there is a lot of talent in the section,” Hunter said. “But we have more club soccer players on the team than we ever had before. That should allow us to be more successful and competitive. They have a great soccer IQ and know how to play against that type of competition.”

Shaler will return a lot of players in key roles including its four senior captains: defender Jacob Walkowski and midfielders Jacob Klonowski, Sam Bens and Evan Michalek.

Hunter has been impressed by the captains’ leadership.

“They have been putting the team first and having been serving as the chaffeurs to make sure everyone is able to get to every practice and training session,” Hunter said. “We have a greater team concept this year. All the boys believe in ‘we’ over ‘I.’ ”

Being able to keep its composure will be vital for Shaler. The three teams added last year — Allderdice, Central Catholic and Fox Chapel — still loom on the schedule in addition to other conference heavyweights Butler, North Allegheny and Seneca Valley.

Picking up a few more victories will require staying true to the Titans’ style.

“I believe through all of this year we have been positive and energetic,” Hunter said. “A lot of the things we do in practice is what other people do. It isn’t a line practice where we stand at cones. We incorporate a lot of game-like situations and put them in areas where they can be successful. We just need to play our game.”

Tags: Shaler