Austin Kreutzberger takes on leadership role for Penn-Trafford boys

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, September 17, 2017 | 9:48 PM

As a junior last year, Austin Kreutzberger formed a dynamic duo in the Penn-Trafford midfield with Trevor Momeyer helping the Warriors win their third consecutive section title.

The pair was so strong that they were named co-Players of the Tear by the Tribune-Review, but Momeyer moved on to Seton Hill after last season, and Kreutzberger was left with just the lessons learned from him in their time on the field together.

Now it's Kreutzberger's turn to be a leader as the Warriors try to make it a fourth straight section crown.

“Last year we had guys like Trevor Momeyer, Joe Salesi, Austin Mossellem and Nick Wagner who were leaders, and Austin as a junior could just focus on playing,” Penn-Trafford coach Rick Nese said. “Now he has to step into a leadership role as a senior co-captain.”

Kreutzberger, who is known for his passing ability and his propensity for finding the back of the net, looks at it as a responsibility of an upperclassmen to set the standard. He gave an example of how Momeyer helped him shape his runs to find better gaps in the defense. Now he's paying it forward to the next young guy coming up.

“To some extent I have to be a leader, because when you're an upperclassman you want to set a good example for the younger players and be a role model toward them,” Kreutzberger said. “The rest of the team all knows we lost a good amount of players, and they've all stepped up as well filling into those roles.”

The Warriors are 3-1-1 in Section 4-AAAA play, which puts them in third place. They could be in much worse shape if it wasn't for a 3-2 comeback victory at Connellsville on Tuesday. Kreutzberger had the winning goal in the 55th minute off a rebound. He also netted both goals in a 2-1 win over Latrobe on Saturday.

“It was really nice scoring that goal,” Kreutzberger said of the winner over Connellsville. “We started off that game really slow and were down 2-0 at halftime. The second half we came out fast and strong. We scored two goals really quick to tie it and then I was set up by Evan Painter and scored off a volley. It was nice to get into the lead and not be down on ourselves.”

Kreutzberger has aspirations to play in college and has an offer from Radford. He said he has interest from other schools and is still weighing his options. His younger brother, Logan Kreutzberger, is Penn-Trafford's goalie. Logan, a junior, split time in goal last year, but has been the starter this year. Kreutzberger said it's nice to have his younger brother on the team.

“(Logan) is someone you can be a little harsher on and critique a little more, like in a good way, because he's my brother,” Kreutzberger said. “We just try to work with each other and help each other get better.”

Penn-Trafford has found each section game thus far to be a grind, and that's expected to continue for the duration of the season. The Warriors' current position in the standings does not sit well with them.

“We're sitting in third place in the section and that is not acceptable,” Nese said. “We have to defend better, both as individuals and as a group. We have to do a better job of keeping possession of the ball, creating scoring opportunities and do a better job of finishing those chances.”

The Warriors are behind Norwin and Franklin Regional in the standings, but they are only separated by 1½ games. They still have both games with Norwin and one game left with Franklin Regional.

Kreutzberger still has his eyes on defending the section crown and feels the key is staying confident and calm in difficult situations.

“We just need to work on communication and be more composed when we play,” Kreutzberger said. “Not get frustrated with each other with mistakes and everything. If we do that the rest will work itself out, and we'll get back up there like we have been.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford