New head coach sets goal for Quaker Valley boys soccer to be last team standing

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, September 1, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Some of the names have changed, but the forecast remains the same in the Quaker Valley boys soccer program.

Sean Ryan is in his sixth year of coaching QV soccer; this is his first season as head coach.

“Expectations at Quaker Valley are always high,” said Ryan, who has taken over for former field boss J.J. Veshio. “We are the most successful team in Pennsylvania high school soccer, statistically, so the goals are always the same. We push ourselves to make the season as long as possible.

“The state championship is the last game of the soccer season for everyone, so we want to be the ones playing when that day comes. For now, however, our goals are to make sure we win our section. With the talent we play against, that will be a challenge in and of itself.”

Ryan previously worked in the NYRB Academy grassroots program for four years, helping develop technical skills and tactical understanding for clubs in the New Jersey area. He returned to the Pittsburgh vicinity in 2019 to serve as academy director for FC Pittsburgh and join the QV soccer community.

He said he’s never looked back.

“I came from the Red Bull school of coaching,” Ryan said. “In my time at QV, I have been a part of many successes and heartaches, but through it all, I have garnered a healthy and motivating respect for the program, for Gene Klein and for those coaches who brought me into the fold and helped nurture my love for this group.

“I’m looking forward to carrying the QV torch into the regular season.”

The Quakers racked up a 20-5 record with 15 shutouts in 2023 after finishing as both the WPIAL and PIAA runner-up in Class 2A.

QV lost by the closest of scores in its two championship games — 1-0 to South Park in the WPIAL final and 2-1 in two overtimes to Camp Hill in the PIAA final.

The Quakers advanced to the postseason as the co-champion with Avonworth in Section 4 with an 11-1 record. After dropping their first two regular-season games in the East-West Classic, the Quakers won eight in a row and 14 of 15 to take a 14-3 record into the playoffs, where they ended up going 6-2.

QV registered a 79-4 scoring advantage in league play and finished as the second-highest scoring team in the WPIAL thanks to a 120-17 overall scoring difference.

Defensive stalwarts Tanner Schultz, a junior, and Andrew Vescio, a senior, are QV’s captains this season.

“Our starting lineup changes due to the performance of the players in (practice),” Ryan said. “However, we do have the luxury of returning six or seven players who played significant minutes in our state championship final last year.

“I expect our captains, Tanner and Andrew, to make a difference for us this year. They have a fantastic goalkeeper behind them in (senior) Nathan Pribik, who I expect to play a huge role for us as well.”

Other integral players in 2024 include senior midfielder Carter Turk, junior defender Sutton Hoehl, sophomore midfielder Charlie Pyle and senior midfielder Colin Benge.

“We are expecting to be pretty reliant on Colin to score goals and lead the attack,” Ryan said “I’m excited to watch him cook.”

QV’s rookie field boss has been impressed by the diligence displayed by his players in preparation for the regular season.

“Practices have been positive for us,” Ryan said. “There have been so many opportunities for the players to be frustrated with the tactical demands I place upon them; however, at each hurdle they thrive in learning how to overcome and overachieve.”

QV is a member of the nine-team Section 2-2A along with Avonworth, Beaver, Central Valley, Ellwood City, Hopewell, Keystone Oaks, Mohawk and Riverside.

The Quakers competed in Section 4-2A last season. QV, Avonworth, Beaver and Hopewell represented the section in the WPIAL playoffs.

Tags: Quaker Valley