Belle Vernon’s Apodiakos named Tribune-Review Westmoreland Boys Soccer Player of the Year
By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 5:42 PM
string(103) "Desc: Belle Vernon junior forward Markello Apodiakos was an all-state selection during the 2017 season."
string(28) "Capt: Mon Valley Independent"
string(36) "Title: gtr-MarkelloApodiakos2-121017"
string(6) "Cred: "
Mon Valley Independent
Belle Vernon junior forward Markello Apodiakos was an all-state selection during the 2017 season.
string(103) "Desc: Belle Vernon junior forward Markello Apodiakos was an all-state selection during the 2017 season."
string(28) "Capt: Mon Valley Independent"
string(35) "Title: gtr-MarkelloApodiakos-121017"
string(6) "Cred: "
Mon Valley Independent
Belle Vernon junior forward Markello Apodiakos was an all-state selection during the 2017 season.
string(132) "Desc: Mt. Pleasant's Ben Bailey (15) celebrates a goal against Freeport in the first half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: gtr-FreepMPbsoc-100617-04"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Mt. Pleasant's Ben Bailey (15) celebrates a goal against Freeport in the first half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant.
string(142) "Desc: Norwin's Carter Breen celebrates his second goal during the first half against Penn-Trafford Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Harrison City."
string(41) "Capt: Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: GTR-NorwinPTbsoc02-092217"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Norwin's Carter Breen celebrates his second goal during the first half against Penn-Trafford Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Harrison City.
string(155) "Desc: Belle Vernon's Jackson Guess (10), works to steal the ball from Ringgold's Jackson O'Connor (10), at Ringgold High School, on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016."
string(35) "Capt: Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review"
string(29) "Title: gtr-hsroundup01-100716"
string(6) "Cred: "
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Belle Vernon's Jackson Guess (10), works to steal the ball from Ringgold's Jackson O'Connor (10), at Ringgold High School, on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016.
string(150) "Desc: Penn Trafford's Austin Kreutzberger (7) is swarmed as he attacks the goal against Butler in the second half on Saturday Oct. 21, 2017 at Norwin."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(33) "Title: gtr-ptbutlerbsoc-102217-19"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Penn Trafford's Austin Kreutzberger (7) is swarmed as he attacks the goal against Butler in the second half on Saturday Oct. 21, 2017 at Norwin.
string(169) "Desc: Greensburg Central Catholic's Luke Mort (16) heads the ball in front of Serra Catholic's Joe Salemi (7) during the first half on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, in Carbon."
string(44) "Capt: Ken Reabe Jr. | For The Tribune-Review"
string(28) "Title: gtr-HSroundup4-101216"
string(6) "Cred: "
Ken Reabe Jr. | For The Tribune-Review
Greensburg Central Catholic's Luke Mort (16) heads the ball in front of Serra Catholic's Joe Salemi (7) during the first half on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, in Carbon.
string(155) "Desc: Mt. Pleasant's Sam Napper (10) tries to make his way past Freeport's Hunter Hardin (21) in the second half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: gtr-FreepMPbsoc-100617-28"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Mt. Pleasant's Sam Napper (10) tries to make his way past Freeport's Hunter Hardin (21) in the second half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant.
string(150) "Desc: Franklin Regional’s Shane Popko (10) takes a shot on goal against Norwin during the first half on Tuesday Sept. 12, 2017 at Franklin-Regional."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(33) "Title: gtr-NorwinFRbsoc-091317-16"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional’s Shane Popko (10) takes a shot on goal against Norwin during the first half on Tuesday Sept. 12, 2017 at Franklin-Regional.
string(169) "Desc: Greensburg Central Catholic's Joseph Schwerha (6) reacts after his team's 2-1 loss to Winchester Thurston in the second half on Wednesday Oct. 25, 2017 at Hampton."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(30) "Title: gtr-GCCWTbsoc-102617-13"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Greensburg Central Catholic's Joseph Schwerha (6) reacts after his team's 2-1 loss to Winchester Thurston in the second half on Wednesday Oct. 25, 2017 at Hampton.
string(136) "Desc: Mt. Pleasant's Brad Tait (11) races toward the goal against Freeport in the second half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: gtr-FreepMPbsoc-100617-29"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Mt. Pleasant's Brad Tait (11) races toward the goal against Freeport in the second half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant.
string(88) "Desc: Franklin Regional's Jake Trapanotto, during practice, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017."
string(35) "Capt: Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: gtr-frboyssoccer05-082017"
string(6) "Cred: "
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional's Jake Trapanotto, during practice, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017.
string(103) "Desc: Belle Vernon junior forward Markello Apodiakos was an all-state selection during the 2017 season."
string(28) "Capt: Mon Valley Independent"
string(36) "Title: gtr-MarkelloApodiakos2-121017"
string(6) "Cred: "
Mon Valley Independent
Belle Vernon junior forward Markello Apodiakos was an all-state selection during the 2017 season.
string(103) "Desc: Belle Vernon junior forward Markello Apodiakos was an all-state selection during the 2017 season."
string(28) "Capt: Mon Valley Independent"
string(35) "Title: gtr-MarkelloApodiakos-121017"
string(6) "Cred: "
Mon Valley Independent
Belle Vernon junior forward Markello Apodiakos was an all-state selection during the 2017 season.
string(132) "Desc: Mt. Pleasant's Ben Bailey (15) celebrates a goal against Freeport in the first half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: gtr-FreepMPbsoc-100617-04"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Mt. Pleasant's Ben Bailey (15) celebrates a goal against Freeport in the first half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant.
string(142) "Desc: Norwin's Carter Breen celebrates his second goal during the first half against Penn-Trafford Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Harrison City."
string(41) "Capt: Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: GTR-NorwinPTbsoc02-092217"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Norwin's Carter Breen celebrates his second goal during the first half against Penn-Trafford Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Harrison City.
string(155) "Desc: Belle Vernon's Jackson Guess (10), works to steal the ball from Ringgold's Jackson O'Connor (10), at Ringgold High School, on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016."
string(35) "Capt: Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review"
string(29) "Title: gtr-hsroundup01-100716"
string(6) "Cred: "
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Belle Vernon's Jackson Guess (10), works to steal the ball from Ringgold's Jackson O'Connor (10), at Ringgold High School, on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016.
string(150) "Desc: Penn Trafford's Austin Kreutzberger (7) is swarmed as he attacks the goal against Butler in the second half on Saturday Oct. 21, 2017 at Norwin."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(33) "Title: gtr-ptbutlerbsoc-102217-19"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Penn Trafford's Austin Kreutzberger (7) is swarmed as he attacks the goal against Butler in the second half on Saturday Oct. 21, 2017 at Norwin.
string(169) "Desc: Greensburg Central Catholic's Luke Mort (16) heads the ball in front of Serra Catholic's Joe Salemi (7) during the first half on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, in Carbon."
string(44) "Capt: Ken Reabe Jr. | For The Tribune-Review"
string(28) "Title: gtr-HSroundup4-101216"
string(6) "Cred: "
Ken Reabe Jr. | For The Tribune-Review
Greensburg Central Catholic's Luke Mort (16) heads the ball in front of Serra Catholic's Joe Salemi (7) during the first half on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, in Carbon.
string(155) "Desc: Mt. Pleasant's Sam Napper (10) tries to make his way past Freeport's Hunter Hardin (21) in the second half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: gtr-FreepMPbsoc-100617-28"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Mt. Pleasant's Sam Napper (10) tries to make his way past Freeport's Hunter Hardin (21) in the second half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant.
string(150) "Desc: Franklin Regional’s Shane Popko (10) takes a shot on goal against Norwin during the first half on Tuesday Sept. 12, 2017 at Franklin-Regional."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(33) "Title: gtr-NorwinFRbsoc-091317-16"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional’s Shane Popko (10) takes a shot on goal against Norwin during the first half on Tuesday Sept. 12, 2017 at Franklin-Regional.
string(169) "Desc: Greensburg Central Catholic's Joseph Schwerha (6) reacts after his team's 2-1 loss to Winchester Thurston in the second half on Wednesday Oct. 25, 2017 at Hampton."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(30) "Title: gtr-GCCWTbsoc-102617-13"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Greensburg Central Catholic's Joseph Schwerha (6) reacts after his team's 2-1 loss to Winchester Thurston in the second half on Wednesday Oct. 25, 2017 at Hampton.
string(136) "Desc: Mt. Pleasant's Brad Tait (11) races toward the goal against Freeport in the second half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant."
string(47) "Capt: Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: gtr-FreepMPbsoc-100617-29"
string(6) "Cred: "
Christian Tyler Randolph | Tribune-Review
Mt. Pleasant's Brad Tait (11) races toward the goal against Freeport in the second half on Thursday Oct. 05, 2017 at Mt. Pleasant.
string(88) "Desc: Franklin Regional's Jake Trapanotto, during practice, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017."
string(35) "Capt: Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review"
string(32) "Title: gtr-frboyssoccer05-082017"
string(6) "Cred: "
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional's Jake Trapanotto, during practice, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017.
It was a record-breaking season for Belle Vernon junior Markello Apodiakos.
The star forward scored 37 goals to shatter the school's single-season mark set by his coach, Rob Miele, more than a decade ago.
His 81 points also set a new program record for a season.
Apodiakos also had nine assists, passing off to teammates when he was man-marked by two or more defenders.
For his efforts, he is the Tribune-Review Westmoreland Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Greensburg Central Catholic's Luke Mort also was considered.
Belle Vernon (14-5-1) reached the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals after finishing second in Section 3 to rival Ringgold.
Apodiakos, who has 62 career goals, was an all-state and all-WPIAL selection, as well as the Section 3 Player of the Year.
What is your most memorable moment from this season?
In general, just on how far we made it.
What would you change most about the season?
Our goal was to go and win the WPIAL championship and continue on to win states.
Any college interest or offers?
Decisions still need to be made.
Whom or what inspires you to play the game the way you do?
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Any interesting hobbies?
I like to ride quads and dirt bikes.
Favorite pro soccer team to follow?
Barcelona.
What is another sport you are good at?
Baseball.
What do you want most for Christmas?
Clothes and money.
Favorite Christmas movie?
“Home Alone.”
What actor would play you in a movie?
Mark Wahlberg.
Fill in the blank: I can't play a soccer game unless I ______.
Am mentally prepared.
Was it hard to adjust playing on gold-colored turf at James Weir Stadium?
At first it was difficult because the field was very slippery. Improvements were made to the field to make it better.
What do you want to improve on heading into your senior year?
I want to improve on making more creative runs and movement off the ball.
How has playing cup soccer for Century helped prepare you for WPIAL play?
Cup soccer has prepared me because I was exposed to greater competition and had the opportunity to travel the country to play higher level teams.
What was it like playing against such a strong defense, the “Border Patrol,” in practice?
Our defense is very strong. Playing against them made sure that I was prepared to play against other defenders throughout the season.
What will the future hold for the Leopards after losing nine seniors?
We will continue to work hard and stay positive at all times. The underclassmen will have to step up and fill the positions.
Boys Soccer All-Stars
Ben Bailey, Sr., D, Mt. Pleasant
Key defensive presence for the Vikings, who posted nine shutouts, including seven straight. Had two goals and two assists as team won 13 of final 14 games.
Carter Breen, Jr., F, Norwin
All-WPIAL player took on increased scoring role and finished with team-leading 19 goals and 13 assists for playoff team.
Jackson Guess, Sr., MF, Belle Vernon
Earned all-section and all-WPIAL honors after leading the Leopards with 31 assists. Also notched six goals.
Austin Kreutzberger, Sr., F, Penn-Trafford
All-WPIAL pick led the Warriors with nine goals, pushing his career total to 46 scores. Radford recruit helped Warriors make playoffs again.
Luke Mort, Jr., F, Greensburg Central Catholic
Rising scorer and all-WPIAL selection had career season for the Centurions with 39 goals and 14 assists. GCC reached the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals.
Sam Napper, Jr., MF, Mt. Pleasant
Helped Mt. Pleasant win Section 2-AA title with 12-0 record and make trip to WPIAL quarterfinals. All-WPIAL pick had 17 goals and 17 assists.
Shane Popko, Sr., MF, Franklin Regional
Led playoff team with 10 goals as Panthers won Section 4 title and made WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals. Earned all-section and all-WPIAL honors.
JoJo Schwerha, Jr., F, Greensburg Central Catholic
All-WPIAL forward contributed 13 goals and 14 assists for Centurions, who made run to the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals.
Brad Tait, Jr., F, Mt. Pleasant
All-WPIAL player played key role in Vikings winning section title and notching first playoff win since 2013. Section 2 player of the year had 24 goals and 11 assists.
Jake Trapanotto, Sr., D, Franklin Regional
One of WPIAL's top center-back defenders, he only scored one goal but helped Panthers post seven shutouts and win section title. All-WPIAL selection.
