By HUNTER O. LYLE
BRADFORD, PA – For the ninth consecutive year, teams from the Keystone and Empire State will be pitted against each other in the NY/PA Corporate Cup Soccer Showcase, an event designed to flaunt the local talent from the Twin Tiers.
In just three days, on June 27, the Pennsylvania boys and girls teams will look to defend their throne. A year ago, the girls eked out a 4-3 win while the boys match was decided in the first ever Corporate Cup penalty shootout, with PA taking the nod. Acting as an assistant coach during that overtime victory, newly appointed PA Boys head coach Dave Reitz is expecting another closely contested encore.
“We know we’re going to have to weather the storm. We know New York’s going to come out and press hard and press high,” said Reitz, who coaches Brookville. “We just have to be able to absorb a couple of attacks and play into our gameplan and remain calm.”
Reitz is confident in that gameplan, with camaraderie being at the focus. With over half of the 22-man roster composed of just four teams – Warren 6, St. Marys 5, Port Allegany 3, DuBois 2 – the meshing process has come naturally, allowing the team to hit the ground running over the month of allotted practice.
“Our team, for only practicing together realistically four times, has really gelled. I think our team has come together as a cohesive unit which you can’t really ask for a whole lot more than that with a short period of time that we have to train them,” said Reitz. “Our strength really is our team togetherness and defensively I think we’re quite strong this year.”
At the helm of the pitch is Angelo Catalone of St. Marys, Austin Hamilton of Port Allegany and Case Seymour of Eisenhower who will represent Pennsylvania as captains. With Catalone being the motivational orator, Hamilton leading by example and Seymor anchoring the defense, the team seems to have all their bases covered.
“We have a good mix with our leadership,” said Reitz. “Where one’s weak, one of the other ones is strong.”
While the boys are leaning on their cohesion, the Pennsylvania girls will look towards their experience to pave the way.
“My three captains are four-year players of the Corporate Cup which is a big thing. I have several girls that are going on to play college ball,” said head coach Mike Puhala, who recently just retired from coaching at Brockway. “When we had try outs, we picked a well-rounded team. There’s a lot of good girls out there.”
Four of those girls have experience not only in playing or winning, but in competing as a part of a dynasty. Kierstin Taylor, Jaydon Hogue, Alyssa Mangold and Mady Stark all hail from Bradford, where they have each played a role in the Lady Owls’ six-year reign of District 9 dominance. Taylor and Mangold will be holding down the attack while Stark, a goal tender, and Hogue, a center back, will lock down the other side of the pitch.
“I’m expecting a couple goals out of them. They’re good offensive players,” said Puhala. “They’re all just well-rounded girls. They’re girls that want to play and want to play year round.”
Having their offense in good hands, Puhala entrusted the defense to his captains, two of which came from his ranks. Both four-year varsity players who will continue their soccer careers in college, Zoe Puhala, a back who is attending Westminster, and Josie Orinko, a keeper who is heading to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, will anchor the defense together with their proven abilities and communication.
Using his dual-threat lineup, Mike Puhala is planning on striking early and often, forcing New York to play at their pace rather than the other way around.
“I think we’re going to play fast. That’s our plan, get out of the gates quick and score a couple goals,” said Mike Puhala. “We’re not going to hold back and if (New York) scores, we’ll make some adjustments. I have a good coaching staff and they’re all well-rounded too.”
Putting aside their competitiveness, both Reitz and Puhala know the real reason they’ll be out there on Sunday.
“I would really like to thank (the organizers) for what they do. It’s unbelievable what they do for these kids,” said Puhala. “I just hope the kids keep doing it, keep coming out and showing their support for this because it’s fun. It’s just a lot of fun. It’s great that they do this.”
Playing at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Kessell Athletic Complex, the Boys’ Silver match will open the day at noon, followed immediately after by the Girls’ Silver match at 2:30 p.m. The Gold games will begin at 5 p.m. with the boys before the girls take to the field at 7:30 p.m.
