Hempfield boys soccer revels in streak-snapping win

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | 6:04 PM

When Derry scored two goals to pull even with Hempfield, Michael Crowe, Hempfield’s coach, just let it roll.

“We, as coaches, didn’t have to say much at halftime,” Crowe said of Tuesday night’s boys soccer game. “Just a few words of calming encouragement, and the boys took it upon themselves to go out strong in the second half.”

Hempfield had a chance to taste winning again for the first time in nearly three years, and Crowe knew his team wasn’t going to let the opportunity slide.

The Spartans did a collective reset and tallied two scores in the second half to post a 4-2 nonsection victory that ended a long and dreadful 41-game losing streak.

Hempfield’s last win was Oct. 16, 2021, when it defeated Mt. Pleasant, 1-0.

“I thought our boys showed a ton of heart and belief in each other the way they came out and played in the second half,” Crowe said. “They really kept their energy levels high and lifted each other up. It was really a great thing to witness.”

Sawyer Leuthold led the Spartans with two goals, and Quentin had two assists. Isaac Pugliese also had a goal, and Tyler Gilpin added an assist. The Spartans’ fourth goal was an own score by Derry.

“Breaking the streak was emotional,” Crowe said. “Personally, it was a great relief, but the joy really came from seeing this group of young men finally get to celebrate. They have worked tirelessly throughout the offseason, into the regular season, preparing for this moment and they truly earned this victory.”

Hempfield moved to 1-3 on the season. Its next goal is to snap a 46-game section losing streak. That run stretches to 2019.

Crowe said the team has talked lately about “learning to win” and doing the little things necessary to create opportunities.

“We played a couple of really competitive preseason matches, but we don’t have a lot of experience playing close games over the last couple years,” the coach said. “Last week, we played a really competitive match against Connellsville, eventually falling 3-2 in double OT. Our boys fought really hard but weren’t experienced enough to shine on the overtime stage. They learned a lot from that match, though, and I think it played a huge role in them keeping their composure and playing their game in the second half of the Derry match.

“Learning to win is a skill unto itself, and we can only continue to learn by continuing to put ourselves in those situations.”

Three fourth-year players are the nucleus of the Spartans. The seniors are Luke Halvorsen and co-captains Nathan Tonini and Pettinato. They were on the last team to get a victory.

“They have stuck with the program and never stopped believing, and quite frankly, those three young men might be the reason we still have a boys soccer team at Hempfield,” Crowe said.

Junior captain Braden Crowe has been a vocal leader for the Spartans as well as a linchpin in the midfield.

“Soccer is a team sport, and we have been getting great contributions from the entire roster,” Coach Crowe said. “Everyone has stepped up and made contributions towards this victory.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Hempfield