Westmoreland boys soccer preview: Belle Vernon ready for challenge of jump to 3A

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 | 7:10 PM

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A jump in classification can be less daunting if a team has a lot coming back.

Belle Vernon boys soccer is a prime example.

The Leopards have a number of key players returning as they go from Class 2A to 3A. That includes standout goal scorer Trevor Kovatch, who has 86 goals and 199 points in his highlight-filled career.

The All-WPIAL speedster had 49 goals last season.

Belle Vernon graduated just three seniors and returns seven starters.

“The challenge will be much greater, but I feel we are up for the challenge if we can remain healthy throughout the season,” coach Al Yeschenko said. “I think the WPIAL made the travel time difficult on many of the teams and sections. I’d like to see travel time considered in the future given school sports are an extension of the classroom, and the academic side gets much more challenging when we have over an hour bus ride twice per week. We are leaving sooner after school and returning much later than in the past. I expect our section to be loaded with competition.”

One key rising senior, goalkeeper Bryce Burkhart, is expected to miss the season, Yeschenko said, after suffering a dislocated hip in a vehicle accident earlier this month.

Brandon Yeschenko, Mason Yeschenko and Marco Mucci are among the other returnees.

Morgan Bunch, a freshman, is the likely starter in goal.

Section 3-3A will include Belle Vernon, Allderdice, Franklin Regional, Latrobe, Penn-Trafford, Uniontown, Washington, and West Mifflin.

Around the county

Latrobe is on the rise after setting a school record with 13 wins last season. The Wildcats have the Agostino brothers, Roman and Warren, playmakers who should have a hand in many of the team’s goals.

John Massaro and Cameron Mikulsky will anchor the midfield, and Brady Kring and Stone Brunton return in the back for a defense that was hit hard by graduation.

“I think it will be very difficult to match the 13 wins, but there is no reason we shouldn’t aim to beat it,” coach Jake Rice said. “I think we got some tough out-of-section opponents this year with Montour, Norwin, Plum and Mt. Pleasant, which I like because maybe come playoff time, we can get a little more respect.”

Latrobe is aiming for its first section title.

“I think the new section will still be a challenge,” Rice said. “All new opponents except for Franklin (Regional) and P-T, and both of them are under new coaching staffs. So all of the teams in the section are new to us, which I think is a challenge, but nothing we can’t handle.”

• Franklin Regional made a surprise push to the semifinals last year and can make more noise under first-year coach Nick White.

Joey Bayne and Danny Christafano are top players for the Panthers.

“The boys are extremely motivated after their playoff run last year, and they are well aware of the level of commitment and effort it is going to take to try to get back to that point,” White said. “I’ve been challenging them regularly in their training with their fitness and with the style of play, and they are buying into the mindset needed to play the schedule we have in front of us.”

• After winning its first WPIAL championship, Norwin brings back several valuable players who contributed to the 4A title run, including Daniel Maddock, George Bunovich, Dylan Moyer and Chase Molinaro, among others.

Tristan Josephic returns after two years with MLS Next.

The Knights also reached the PIAA semifinals. They open the season ranked No. 1 in WPIAL 4A.

“Success brings success,” coach Scott Schuchert said. “Our seniors want to create their own legacy. They are playing with a chip on their shoulder.

“Everyone is out to get us now.”

Norwin hosts Franklin Regional at 1:30 p.m. Saturday to get things started.

• Ryan Hankey is the new coach at Penn-Trafford. He joins the Warriors after a lengthy tenure at Penn Hills.

• Jeannette must replace its all-time leading goal scorer, Jordan Taylor. His brother, Jor’El, returns.

• Second-year coach Ryan Kanner has an experienced midfield at Greensburg Central Catholic that includes Jackson Vacanti, Grant Brewer, Gavin Rigby and Niko Miller.

“These guys are playing with a ton of confidence right now and provide a lot of skill going forward on the attack,” Kanner said.

Isaac House also brings experience as a goalkeeper.

Boys soccer preview

Players to watch

Roman Agostoni, Sr., MF, Latrobe

Warren Agostoni, So., MF, Latrobe

Joey Bayne, Sr., F, Franklin Regional

Danny Christafano, Sr., F, Franklin Regional

Aydan Gross, Sr., MF, Mt. Pleasant

Isaac House, Sr., GK, Greensburg Central Catholic

Trevor Kovatch, Sr., F, Belle Vernon

Daniel Maddock, Sr., F, Norwin

Chase Molinaro, So., MF, Norwin

Isaac Pacacha, So., F, Yough

Chad Pusateri, Sr., D, Penn-Trafford

Jack Smith, Jr., MF, Southmoreland

Jor’El Taylor, Sr., D, Jeannette

Jackson Vacanti, Sr., MF, Greensburg Central Catholic

Hunter Wright, Sr., MF, Ligonier Valley

Brandon Yeschenko, Sr., MF, Belle Vernon

Mason Yeschenko, Sr., D, Belle Vernon

…

Important dates

Aug. 12: First day of practice

Aug. 17: First scrimmages

Aug. 23: First play date

Aug. 26: First section date

Oct. 19: WPIAL playoffs begin

Oct 31-Nov 2: WPIAL championships

Nov. 5: PIAA playoffs begin

Nov. 15-16: PIAA championships

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