Matthias Lezama has had a significant impact on the Quaker Valley hockey team in his first two seasons with the Quakers.
“He truly has,” QV coach Kevin Quinn said. “He has a desire to win, compete and score. And he brings it each game. He is also a great teammate and loves coming to the rink.
“Matthias really has grown so much and become a very consistent scorer for us. Following up a great freshman season, Matthias brings it every night. He has been a quality player for us on and off the ice.”
Lezama’s first signature moment in 2025-26 was being named PIHL Class A Player of the Month for November.
Through 10 games, Lezama led QV and the PIHL in scoring with 11 goals and 15 assists (26 points), including six goals and seven assists — and zero penalty minutes — in four games in November.
In January, Lezama, a sophomore forward, was selected as a PIHL all-star in Class A along with senior teammates Max Modrovich (F), Jace Vasbinder (F), Luke Koehler (D) and Ian Lorang (GK).
The 5-foot-9, 155-pound Lezama then led the Quakers to their biggest win of the regular season Feb. 2 in a clash of the top two teams in the Class A Blue Division, a 5-2 decision against Canon-McMillan, which was undefeated at that time.
More recently, Lezama, following a QV timeout, netted the winning goal 9:53 into overtime March 5 to give QV a 3-2 victory against Chartiers Valley in the PIHL Class A Penguins Cup quarterfinal round.
“I was ecstatic that it went in because it was the first time that we made it past the quarterfinal round in a couple of years,” Lezama said. “It’s the biggest goal I’ve scored in my career because it was a quarterfinal game-winner. I scored an OT goal back in peewee’s and that was my only other time.”
Lezama explained how he netted his clutch goal against Chartiers Valley.
“The goal was off a shot by Jack Watson which hit the post,” Lezama said. “It rimmed around to Max who played it to Luke. I saw that the defenseman didn’t really have his eyes on me, so I snuck back door and Luke found me there with a great pass.”
Koehler and Modrovich were credited with assists on Lezama’s game-winning power-play goal for the Quakers, who defeated Gold Division titlist Mars, 3-1, on March 11 in the PIHL semifinals.
“It was a combined effort by all on that power-play unit,” QV coach Kevin Quinn said. “Max won the faceoff, Jack dropped down, Luke made a great pass with Jace providing traffic in front of the net. Matthias went to the net and had a great finish.
“I was happy to use the timeout there. We were pretty tired group at that point.”
Modrovich scored twice against the Colts (16-3-3) and Lorang made 27 saves for QV, which improved to 20-1-1 with the win.
“It was a tough game against a tough opponent,” Quinn said. “Ian played well in net; Jack and Luke played a lot in that game and held their top players off the score sheet.
“And Max really stepped up, scoring on two great shots. When he plays like that, he is tough to stop. He had numerous other chances and posts hit. Very appreciative of his efforts when we needed him to step up.”
Lezama racked up four goals and an assist in the big win against Canon-McMillan in early February.
“That was my best game of my career,” Lezama said, “because Canon Mac was undefeated. It was also the first time I had four goals in a game in my QV hockey career. Everyone played great and worked hard to get the win.”
Quinn said Lezama was relentless against the Big Macs.
“Matthias was exceptional,” Quinn said. “He started us off with a quick goal and then we rolled. His line, with Charlie Pyle and Max Modrovich, was particularly strong in all situations.”
QV’s veteran coach anticipated a dynamic sophomore season from Lezama, who had 14 goals and 11 assists on last year’s playoff squad.
“I did,” Quinn said. “Matthias has great vision; he sees the ice well and is relentless in trying to produce offense. He’s a very smart player and he’s unselfish.”
Lezama also pitches on the QV baseball team and is involved in the investment and chess clubs at his school.
He said QV’s hockey team wants to continue playing as long as possible.
“With the group we have and the chemistry we have been building up over the years, our goal as a team is to win the Pens Cup,” Lezama said.
The Quakers (21-1-1) will face another strong squad in Avonworth in the Class A finals at 8:45 p.m. March 17 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. The Antelopes are the defending Penguins Cup champions.
Avonworth (19-3-1) blanked Canon-McMillan, 4-0, to advance to its second straight title game. QV will be playing in its ninth Penguins Cup game and first since 2018.
Senior forward Ben McHenry, Watson and Lezama scored a goal apiece for the Quakers versus Mars. McHenry netted an even-strength goal, Watson connected on a power play, and Lezama added a short-handed goal.
Stefan Mauer, a freshman forward, and Koehler had one assist apiece.
Lorang earned his third win of the playoffs, stopping 29 of 30 shots against the Fighting Planets.
Lorang has made 65 saves on 68 shots (.956) in the postseason.