A-K Valley soccer notebook: Deer Lakes boys pushing for another section title

By: Jerin Steele
Thursday, September 19, 2024 | 5:05 PM

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Another year and another opportunity for Deer Lakes boys soccer to win a section title.

Matchups with an old rival and a newcomer to Section 1-2A next week will go a long way toward determining if the Lancers will add hardware to their collection.

They play at North Catholic on Tuesday and Shady Side Academy on Sept. 26.

Deer Lakes was 5-1 in section play entering a matchup with Leechburg on Thursday.

The Trojans are the newcomer to the section, and the Lancers won the first meeting 1-0. They fell against Shady Side, 2-1, in overtime in the first meeting.

Connor Moore had the lone goal in the win against North Catholic.

The Lancers have an impressive nonsection victory over Fox Chapel on their resume, which is the Foxes’ only loss. Deer Lakes beat Freeport, 6-0, on Tuesday led by a hat trick by Jake Orseno.

While Deer Lakes and North Catholic only had one loss in Section 1-2A play, completing the rest of the playoff picture looks like it will go down to the wire.

Burrell, Freeport and Highlands are all still well within the mix.

Shady Side Academy was 3-2-1 in section play entering Thursday and in third place, but the Bucs (3-3), the Yellowjackets (2-2-2) and Golden Rams (2-3-1) are on their heels.

Freeport had a 3-3 draw against Shady Side Academy in the first meeting and a 1-1 tie against Highlands.

Burrell beat Highlands, 2-1, in overtime Tuesday.

Highlands played Shady Side Academy on Thursday, and Burrell met Freeport.

Foxes flying high

Fox Chapel has put itself in great position through the first half of Section 3-4A play and has done so without standout junior Pablo Linzoain, who’s training with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

The Foxes beat Seneca Valley, North Hills, Pine-Richland and Butler and looked to complete a sweep of the first half of section play with a victory over North Allegheny on Thursday.

Goal prevention has been huge for the Foxes. They’ve allowed only one goal in section matches, outscoring opponents 13-1.

Defensive Dynamos

Springdale and clean sheets have been synonymous in the first half of the season.

The Dynamos did not concede a goal in their first five games and started 7-0 while outscoring opponents 41-3.

They capped off section play with a matchup with Winchester Thurston on Thursday.

Springdale had allowed only one goal in Section 4-A play, and keeper Noah Skaugen had five shutouts.

A large group of players have contributed offensively for first-year coach Mario Liberati, including Nathan Dubas, John Duku, Matt Lawrence, Brennan Mattie, Caleb Leahy and Colton Gent.

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

Tags: Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Springdale