North Hills soccer teams remain positive despite struggles

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 13, 2017 | 11:00 PM

It is amazing the difference a year can make in sports.

At this time last year, both the North Hills boys and girls soccer teams were preparing for the playoffs.

This year, they are both still trying to find their identity, especially the boys.

Led by coach Jared Steigerwald, the Indians entered the final week of the season in search of their first win. Even tougher for Steigerwald, he came into the season one away from 50 career wins and is still searching.

“I can't imagine being in that position as a player,” Steigerwald said. “I have never been in this position as a coach. I am used to winning and coming out on top more often than not. I entered the year one win away from 50 wins, and I am still waiting for it. I thought it would come a lot sooner, and I don't know if it will this year. This is new for me.”

The No. 1 issue the boys' team has faced this season is a shorthanded roster because of injury. Currently, the Indians have seven players who started the season who are out with concussions, including starting goalie Adam Warsing.

Entering the season, Warsing was the lone Indian to return from last year's team. Warsing was injured in the third game of the season against Pine-Richland and has yet to come back.

“It has been hard to overcome all the concussions that we have dealt with this year,” the coach said.

One player who has stepped up in the wake of all the injuries is freshman Ryan O'Shea. O'Shea has supplanted himself as one of the starters the last handful of games.

For the girls, they have had a little bit more to cheer about with their progression throughout the season. They entered the week 5-11 and 1-9 in Section 1-AAAA, but have shown bright spots at the beginning and now toward the end of the season.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult season,” first-year coach Dave Zinski said. “We have done a lot of good things like winning the opening tournament. A lot of the younger girls have developed really well and have come along.”

The Indians picked up their first section win of the season at Shaler last week and took North Allegheny to overtime before losing 1-0 on Wednesday.

Like the boys, the girls also were forced into starting a handful of freshmen, and it is turning out to be a good foundation piece for Zinski and the Indians in the future. A couple of freshmen who have stood out are Kara Smolensky and Olivia Yoder. Sophomore Grace Lyon also has provided steady play in goal as of late.

“We are a pretty young team,” Zinski said. “We are definitely going in the right direction. We have a lot of young girls who are going to be able to step up. I think we will be way more competitive and have a lot more success next year.”

Drew Karpen is a freelance writer.

Tags: North Hills