Record-setting Apodiakos leads revamped Belle Vernon boys soccer

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 16, 2018 | 6:18 PM

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Markello Apodiakos scored a Belle Vernon boys soccer single-season record 37 goals last season. The standout striker earned all-state honors from the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association, garnered all-WPIAL laurels and enters his senior season with 62 career goals — seven shy of tying the team record of 69 set by Mike Posey in 1988.

Apodiakos appreciates the recognition he’s received, and he said setting a team record last season and approaching another hold great meaning.

But when Apodiakos looks back on the 2017 season, something else stands out.

“Last year, we were down 2-1 in our playoff game and had a great opportunity to tie it that just missed,” Apodiakos said. “We recover from it, and we couldn’t finish. We had trouble finishing close games.”

Belle Vernon, which finished 14-5-1 last season and 7-2-1 in Section 3-3A, lost to West Allegheny, 4-1, in the WPIAL quarterfinals. The Leopards were on the positive end of several lopsided games, but when the competition was tight, they usually came up short. In games decided by two goals or fewer, Belle Vernon was 0-4-1.

“In the tough games last season, once we got down, we just weren’t in it,” said senior Aaron Brown, one of three team captains with Apodiakos and Hunter Martin.

Belle Vernon was a senior-heavy bunch last year, but the Leopards believe they can replicate and possibly improve on last year’s record.

It starts with finding a way to finish in tight games, and few in the WPIAL are better at finishing than Apodiakos.

“He’s just a great teammate,” Belle Vernon coach Rob Miele said. “On the field, he’s dynamic. Assuming he stays healthy, he should have most of the offensive records here by the time he’s done. He’s successful because of the time he puts in on his footwork. He’s not just a speed guy. He’s a complete player.”

Brown, who will assist Apodiakos on the attack, is another key piece.

“Aaron is more of a vocal, rah-rah guy. With Hunter and Markello, it’s a good mix because you don’t need three vocal guys,” Miele said. “All three have welcomed our young guys.”

The Leopards have plenty of youth, which is why Miele opted to move Martin to defense, where he’ll anchor a unit that includes junior Maverick Selvoski, sophomores Austin Martin, Sam Desai and Adam Staley and senior Dawson Quinto. Sophomore T.J. Watson will start in goal, replacing last year’s starter Cameron Guess, a Division I kicking prospect who opted to stick with football this fall.

Because of Belle Vernon’s youth and inexperience, Miele isn’t certain what formation the Leopards will employ, and he said it could change as the season progresses. He stopped short of calling it a rebuilding year, mostly because of the quality of the team captains.

“One of the big difference between this year and last year is we’re trying to do a lot of stuff together this year,” Brown said. “Last year, there were issues with complaining and arguing during games. Our younger guys have good attitudes. They just have to get used to how we do things and be ready to step up.”

Mike Kovak is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mike at mkovak@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MKovak_Trib.

Tags: Belle Vernon