Sewickley Academy’s boys soccer team didn’t let a few bumps in the road derail it in its quest to advance to the WPIAL playoffs.
For instance, Neshannock edged Sewickley, 3-2, on Oct. 13 to bump the Panthers out of a potential tie for first with Beaver County Christian in Section 1-A.
So, it wasn’t a storybook finish to the regular season.
After winning six times in seven games in the first half of the year, the Panthers almost duplicated their effort by winning five of seven since Sept. 20 and took an 11-4 record into the district tournament.
“I thought we had a very strong start to the season after a tough loss to Aquinas, especially with the return of Chase (D’Antonio) in section play, which really gave a spark for our offense,” said Ben Terrell, a junior midfielder at Sewickley. “After a little bit of a valley in the middle of our season, we really bounced back and played a tougher brand of soccer where we really worked on smoothing out defensive errors and working on our offensive strategy. Overall, I think we’ve performed well.”
Sewickley outscored the opposition 46-16 this season and 31-11 in section play, allowing fewer than two goals in 12 games and earning for six shutouts. The Panthers were 8-2 following a 2-0 whitewash Sept. 23 against Greensburg Central Catholic.
Perhaps the Panthers’ biggest win so far was a 1-0 decision Oct. 9 against Beaver County Christian. D’Antonio scored the winning goal from his forward position in a matchup of the top two teams in the section.
That victory kept Sewickley in the running for a section championship. But the loss to Neshannock sealed the Panthers’ section fate.
Among its 15 regular-season games, only three opponents were able to score more than two goals against Sewickley.
“The strength of this year’s team starts with the seniors,” Terrell said, “along with our passion and determination, which helps us keep fighting the whole game. I think we have a really talented team, and we have all been very focused in practice and preparation.
“I believe we have a really great chance to make it very far in the postseason. The sky is the limit for our team this year.”
The Panthers’ starting goalkeeper is a freshman, Hayden Haley, who is complemented by sophomore goalie Carson D’Antonio, who also plays in the field.
The defensive corps is led by senior Blake Wilmot, a fourth-year starter who mans the center back position.
Luca Peluso is a senior forward and four-year varsity starter who also plays hockey and lacrosse. He has been one of the Panthers’ mainstays on offense this season.
Finn Wentz and Nick Day are senior midfielders. Wentz is a fourth-year team member and will be in his fourth season in the boys tennis program in the spring. Day is a second-year starter in soccer and also participates in track and field.
They are supported by junior midfielders Jake Donesec and Terrell, who has been a starter in tennis for two years.
“On the pitch, for the most part I rotate between the striker or nine position with Chase or play outside midfielder,” Terrell said.
Wentz, Wilmot, Day, Peluso and D’Antonio are all seniors who have been teammates for several years. Day is counting on that experience to carry the Panthers deep into the postseason.
“We have five talented seniors who have been with the program for a long time and will look to end on a high note,” Day said.