Springdale boys return 9 starters from WPIAL playoff team

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | 8:33 PM

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The butcher's dog has nothing on Springdale boys soccer coach Cesareo Sanchez. Bring up the fact the Dynamos were the only public school in Section 3-A to make the 2016 postseason, and Sanchez's smile will stretch wider than he is long.

“We felt pretty good being the only public school,” said Sanchez who is entering his eighth season as coach. “Springdale is a tradition. Our last championship was in 1973, and hopefully we can change that this year.”

This batch of Dynamos knows what it will take to reach the postseason and also understands what kind of ball they need to play once they get there. After last season's sudden-death, double-overtime loss to Freedom in the first round of the WPIAL Class A postseason, the Dynamos quickly put it behind them and didn't look back.

Springdale's reaction to the season-ending loss not only showed a sign of maturity, but it revealed a quiet confidence knowing the path had been cleared for the 2017 team to carry the torch forward.

“Everybody feels pretty positive and eager to challenge themselves and to go farther than last year,” Sanchez said.

The optimism behind Sanchez's wide grin can be summed up in three words: nine returning starters. Sanchez welcomes back nine players who were on the field in that stinging postseason defeat to Freedom. He said the team looks more focused and driven during preseason camp and is excited to get the season started against last year's section champs, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, on the road Tuesday.

“The attitude is very positive, and their goal is to make the playoffs and go farther,” Sanchez said. “As players, they know that they can do it.”

The Dynamos will welcome sophomores Alex Barch and Mike Krason to the starting 11. Barch is the final piece to a defense that will start sophomore Matt Taliani and seniors Logan Panza and Mario Liberati.

Standout goalkeeper Mike Zolnierczyk also will be back. The junior turned in seven shutout victories last season.

Kason will step to the midfield line where he will join senior captains in Brogan McCutcheon and Nick Taliani in addition to senior Zach Liberati.

Last year's leading scorer, senior Jared Demore (14 goals), and senior captain Justin McClafferty will punctuate the Dynamos' attack at the two forward positions.

“Losing only two starting players from last year, I think the (starting) lines now are clear,” Sanchez said. “Each game is different, and that's why we look at different positions.”

While those may be the starting lineups, Sanchez said all of that can change from game to game or even half to half based on needs and flow of the game.

He said the vast majority of his players can play all three positions on the field.

Having made a trip to the postseason in four of his seven seasons and winning the section three times during his coaching tenure, Sanchez feels the 2017 Dynamos could rival the 2010 Springdale team that fell to Greensburg Central Catholic, 2-1, in the Class A semifinals.

“The potential, if this team plays how I think we can play, we could go all the way to the WPIAL finals,” Sanchez said. “Maybe, we can play at Highmark (Stadium for a title).”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Springdale