With one squad playing for a PIAA Class AAA championship and two others that nearly advanced to state finals, those soccer fans who followed PennLive’s expanded coverage area certainly had plenty to cheer about during the 2013 season.
And with the introduction of our first boys’ soccer all-star team — a collection of five defenders, five midfielders, four forwards and a goalkeeper — here’s another reason to cheer since these young men deserve a round of applause.
Maybe several.
Incorporating all of the Lancaster Lebanon-League for the first time into coverage that already highlighted the Mid-Penn Conference, Tri-Valley League and a number of Harrisburg-area private schools, players from nearly 70 schools were eligible to be selected to our 15-man first and second teams. That’s a mighty deep talent pool.
Below you’ll find brief biographies on each of our first-team choices — thanks to those who contributed their thoughts and opinions to a difficult selection process — and a list featuring our talented 15-man second unit.
OUR FIRST TEAM
DAVID ALEJOS, Lancaster Mennonite junior forward — Extremely productive up top, the diminutive Alejos added another electrical charge to a Mennonite attack already packing plenty of pop. Highly skilled and possessing all the feints needed to school D-backs, Alejos (19g, 10a) racked up 48 points and led Fred Winey’s Blazers (19-4-0) to the Lancaster-Lebanon League’s tournament title and a berth in the District 3-AA quarters. With another year to go, L-L foes already may be devising ways to slow down the Section 3 player of the year and all-state choice.
CAM AVERY, Cumberland Valley senior goalkeeper — Long, athletic and in complete command of his penalty area whenever he was parked between the posts, the highly skilled Avery played exceptionally well for an Eagles side (21-3-1) that advanced to the state semifinals. As for the numbers, Avery had a hand, foot or other body part in 17 of CV’s 18 shutouts while directing a defensive effort that allowed merely 10 scores. A first-team Commonwealth Division all-star, Avery is drawing interest from Duquesne, Lebanon Valley, Arcadia, Misericordia and Alvernia.
DAVID BRICKER, Trinity senior forward/midfielder — Employing his remarkable speed constantly whether parked up top or somewhere in Trinity’s midfield, the combustible Bricker caused all sorts of issues for opposing defensive backfields yet again. Posting 58 points (25g, 8a), Bricker’s repeated bursts fueled Alan Blackledge’s Shamrocks (12-9-1) to a third-place finish in the District 3-A playoffs and a second straight state berth. A two-time all-state choice and the Capital Division player of the year, Bricker will run track at North Carolina-Wilmington.
NATHAN DELGADO, Conestoga Valley senior forward — A dynamic attacking player and a constant threat to finish, Delgado cranked out 79 points (34g, 11a) for a Buckskins club that collared its first District 3-AAA title and advanced to its first state title game. Delgado was rewarded for his sparkling play, landing L-L Section 1 player of the year, all-state, all-region and even All-America honors following his senior year. Though West Chester and Millersville may be in front, he’s hoping to visit Penn State and Delaware before choosing his next destination.
COLIN HESTER, Camp Hill senior midfielder/forward — Returning to the high school scene after a stint in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program, Hester picked up right where he left off. Extremely dynamic in the middle of the park and highly productive whether in flow or serving up dangerous restarts, the wonderfully technical Hester cranked out 50 points (19g, 12a) for a Camp Hill side (10-10-0) that advanced to the District 3-A quarterfinals. A first-team Capital Division all-star for the third time, Hester has verbally committed to West Virginia University.
MICAH HOSTETTER, Garden Spot senior midfielder — Splendidly productive when the Spartans pushed heartily into the final third, Hostetter’s dynamic efforts as an attacking midfielder kept opposing defenses occupied whenever he had the ball at one of his well-schooled feet. While Jack Kremer’s Spartans connected 27 times, Hostetter (13g, 12a) was involved in 25 of those scoring plays. Tagged the L-L 2 player of the year and an all-state selection who desires to play at the next level, Hostetter is considering Millersville, Eastern and Houghton.
RILEY KATSHIR, Cumberland Valley junior defender — Blessed with length and mobility, Katshir effectively employed those sparkling assets consistently well while co-anchoring a taut backfield that allowed 10 goals in 25 performances. Katshir also proved to be dynamic and proficient in the attacking third, finding ways to get on the end of flighted restarts and service while posting 17 points (8g, 1a) for an Eagles outfit (21-3-1) that advanced to the state semifinals. A first-team Commonwealth Division all-star, Katshir likely appears on a number of college coaches’ wish lists.
ZACH LOCKLEY, Hempfield senior midfielder — An industrious two-way player who worked effectively in the attacking third or while trying to collar an opposing midfielder, Lockley’s two-way efforts catalyzed a Black Knights bunch (12-4-6) that advanced to the District 3-AAA quarterfinals. While Lockley (4g, 2a) pitched in plenty offensively — either on the floor or in the air — his defensive play was one of the reasons why Mark Ashley’s club conceded just 10 goals and pinned up 14 clean sheets. A first-team L-L all-star, is unsure whether he’ll play at the next level.
AHMED QAISI, Conestoga Valley senior defender — A fixture at center back for a Buckskins bunch (23-3-2) that conceded little (24 goals) while winning plenty, Qaisi employed his length and mobility effectively as Dave Hartlaub’s club collared its first District 3-AAA championship and advanced to its first state title game. Also capable of sliding forward if CV needed a finish, Qaisi proved to be an effective threat (4g, 4a) when nearing the goal cage. A first-team Section 1 all-star hoping to play at the next level, Qaisi is considering Susquehanna, Millersville and West Chester.
TREY THOMAS, Gettysburg senior defender — Remarkably athletic and long, the 6-4 Thomas anchored a stingy defense that conceded just six finishes and pitched 13 shutouts by employing a lethal concoction of power and finesse — particularly when a flighted ball spun anywhere near him. Few, if any, eluded him. The Mid-Penn Conference player of the year, an all-state selection and an all-regional choice who has verbally committed to Brown University, Thomas (2g, 5a) led the Warriors (16-2-0) to their fourth straight Colonial Division title and the District 3-AA quarters.
JAMES THORNTON, Conestoga Valley senior midfielder — A relentless terror on the interior, the rugged Thornton roamed non-stop from touch to touch and 18 to 18, closing down on opposing playmakers and catalysts that dared to enter CV air space with the ball at their feet. A first-team Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 all-star who helped Dave Hartlaub’s Buckskins (23-3-2) claim their first District 3-AAA crown and advance to their first state final, Thornton (g, 2a) hopes to play at the next level and is looking at a range of schools that have piqued his interest.
LEO VANBUSKIRK, Cedar Cliff senior defender — Parked in the midfield when the 2013 campaign began, VanBuskirk’s relocation to sweeper immediately settled down and brought defensive order to a Colts squad (9-8-1) that struggled at times. Possessing a powerful leg and unbelievable strength, the ripped VanBuskirk (4g, a) also proved to be a worthy adversary when entering the attacking third. A first-team Commonwealth Division all-star who also handled place-kicking duties for the Cliff, VanBuskirk may play soccer (Vermont) or rugby (Penn State) at the next level.
RYAN WOLF, Mechanicsburg senior forward/midfielder — Uncorking his remarkable speed and desire repeatedly while perched on Mechanicsburg’s left wing, Wolf made a habit of leaving right fullbacks in his exhaust while jetting to goal. Effective throughout, Wolf cranked out 26 points (9g, 8a) for a Wildcats side (15-4-0) that shared the Keystone Division title and reached the District 3-AAA playoffs. The Keystone Division’s player of the year and an all-state selection, Wolf hopes to take his talents to the next level, possibly to Lebanon Valley or West Chester.
BEN ZAMBETTI, Cumberland Valley senior defender — Slipped into the central defense early in the season, the rangy Zambetti used his size and mobility to slide snugly into a stingy unit that conceded just 10 scores. Also a threat when the Eagles (21-3-1) had the ball — whether flighting deep restarts or getting forward on others — Zambetti racked up 20 points (6g, 8a) as Matt Billman’s club advanced to the state semis for the first time since 1997. A first-team Commonwealth Division all-star, Zambetti hopes to play at the next level and is exploring a number of options.
JESSE ZIMMERMAN, Cumberland Valley senior midfielder/forward — Driven and determined, the feisty Zimmerman used his vast array of physical skills to torment opposing defenses and score 35 points (14g, 7a) for an Eagles squad (21-3-1) that reached the PIAA Class AAA semifinals for just the second time in CV’s sparkling soccer history. Tagged Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division player of the year, Zimmerman capped his career by landing all-state and all-region nods. Hoping to play at the next level, Zimmerman is checking out Lock Haven and Bloomsburg.
OUR SECOND TEAM
Brenden Amanto, Cumberland Valley senior midfielder/defender
Andrew Barton, Conestoga Valley senior defender
Luis Cervantes, Lower Dauphin senior midfielder/forward
Damon Crouse, Manheim Central senior midfielder
Will Edwards, State College senior midfielder/forward
Erik Etter, East Pennsboro senior midfielder
Sid Ewell, Carlisle senior defender
Brian Gately, Hempfield senior goalkeeper
Antonio Heredia, Lower Dauphin sophomore defender
Joseph Panuccio, Mechanicsburg junior midfielder
Willie Staz, Red Land senior forward/midfielder
Jon Tarbox, Gettysburg senior forward
Victor Weaver, Pequea Valley senior forward
Jordan Wix Rauch, Hershey junior forward/midfielder
Matt Wright, Lampeter-Strasburg senior forward
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