Expand<\/a><\/p>\nAbout 10 months ago, Abington Heights reached the pinnacle of the high school soccer world.<\/p>\n
The Comets captured District 2\u2019s first state boys soccer title since Mountain View took the Class 3A title in 2012.<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t just win, they dominated \u2014 outscoring opponents, 134-9, last season and, 31-0, in seven postseason games.<\/p>\n
Abington Heights built a culture where the team certainly had stars, but no egos. Everyone had a role and perfected it, forming an unbreakable brotherhood to create an unforgettable season.<\/p>\n
So, what\u2019s next?<\/p>\n
The team graduated five starters, including United Soccer Coaches All-Region midfielder and two-time Times-Tribune Player of the Year Nico Bustos, All-Region defenders Enzo Capozzi and James Mitchell and midfielder Tanner Shane and defender Aiden Gardner.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe consensus is that this group that just graduated is irreplaceable. They were awesome,\u201d Abington Heights coach Frank Dyska said. \u201cThe other side, though, is that we definitely have a lot of guys in the program that are just, even at the end of last year, champing at the bit to get out on the field and have been working really hard on their game. The coaching side, we\u2019re super excited for those guys to come into camp and start competing for those minutes and time on the field and to make some noise, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Comets have the person to lead them in star forward Joey Pivirotto.<\/p>\n
The Lackawanna League\u2019s best striker has a cannon for a left leg, and compiled a team-high 98 points \u2014 including 43 goals and 12 assists \u2014 last season to earn his second All-Region selection.<\/p>\n
The clutch factor is apparent, as the senior scored nine goals and dished out three assists in seven postseason games. No goal proved bigger than his game-winner against District 3 champion Conrad Weiser in the Comets\u2019 2-0 state final victory. He also scored an insurance goal in the 2-0 state semifinal victory over District 1 champion Harriton, and netted two goals to help the Comets secure their first state playoff victory in 21 years with a 5-0 win over District 4 champion Selinsgrove.<\/p>\n
His role this season will be similar, but amplified.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the field, (my role is) pretty much the same. I need to score goals, help the team out in that way,\u201d Pivirotto said. \u201cBut this year, I need to step up as a leader, because obviously a lot of the boys they had those seniors last year to look up to, but now I feel like I\u2019m someone who they look up to, so I have to be a role model on and off the field to help them.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the offseason, he prepared for his even larger role on the field, staying in shape to sustain playing every minute of every game if he has to and honing his skills. His work ethic has an effect on his teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say definitely during practices if the intensity is kind of slow, let\u2019s say Joey\u2019s team is off and he comes back on, the intensity definitely goes up immediately because we know that he\u2019s going to want to score and win whatever drill we\u2019re doing,\u201d Abington Heights senior midfielder Jack Leuthe said. \u201cSo, the intensity just automatically goes up when he\u2019s on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also speaks to his leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone knows he\u2019s a really talented player,\u201d Dyska said. \u201cI think he can still continue to add to his game and really develop soccer-wise, but even more noticeable or more noteworthy is the leadership side. All preseason, he\u2019s really taken a vocal leadership role and I\u2019m watching him grow into that each day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite its losses, Abington Heights retained plenty of talent. The Comets return All-Region senior goalkeeper Billy Johnson, who had 54 saves and 18 clean sheets last season; All-Region midfielder Connor McDonald; second-team all-star forward Lucas Samala, a sophomore who was third on the team with 36 points (15 goals, 6 assists); Leuthe, who was fourth on the team with 31 points (9 goals, 13 assists); sophomore forward Jayden Alu, who was fifth on the team in points with 27 (11 goals, 5 assists); and sophomore midfielder Wes Illian, who was sixth on the team with 22 points (6 goals, 10 assists).<\/p>\n
The Comets will also look to continue the culture they cultivated over the past few years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like one thing we really have to focus on is trusting our teammates and not feeling the pressure of having to carry the team on your back,\u201d Pivirotto said. \u201cTo be able to trust your teammates, and at the same time hold your teammates accountable to work just as hard as you\u2019re going to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pivirotto fosters that culture by staying grounded. He\u2019s a star, but he shows that with his play, not by having an ego.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a part of this team, humility is a word that gets thrown out there a lot from the coaches and everyone,\u201d Pivirotto said. \u201cIt\u2019s an important part of our team because I feel like I still have to be hungry to score more, to be the best player I can be. But I also need to understand that this team is more than about just me, and it\u2019s about a collective team because we work as a whole and not as individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pivirotto committed to the University of Scranton and plans to major in mechanical engineering.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had a connection with the coaches there. I\u2019ve toured the school. It\u2019s a great school,\u201d Pivirotto said. \u201cI\u2019ve always been wanting to stay local, to kind of stay in this local community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before that, he\u2019ll do everything he can to give the Comets another memorable season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be hard with losing a lot of defenders and undoubtedly our best player Nico (Bustos),\u201d Pivirotto said. \u201cSo, we just have to take it one game at a time, and not get overconfident with it and just keep going and playing every game to the best of our ability. And a lot of new players who maybe haven\u2019t gotten as many minutes in the varsity games are going to have to step up big-time to take those roles of seniors that left.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abington Heights opens its season Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. as the Comets host Pittston Area in a nonleague matchup. Last season, Abington Heights defeated the Patriots, 4-0, in the District 2 Class 3A semifinals.<\/p>\n
Division I<\/p>\n
Defending state champion Abington Heights is the favorite to win the Division I title.<\/p>\n
North Pocono, who finished second in the division, retains All-Region forward Rocco Rava among its 13 returning players. The Trojans graduated All-Region defender Reid Connors and Lackawanna League second-team coaches\u2019 all-star goalkeeper Erick Maldonado.<\/p>\n
Wallenpaupack has five returning starters, including first-team all-star midfielder Colby Bonagura and second-team all-star defender Dawid Mrowka. The Buckhorns graduated second-team all-star forward Robbie Kratzer.<\/p>\n
Delaware Valley returns six starters, including first-team all-stars midfielder Jason Nagy and forward Eric Choi. The Warriors graduated All-Region defender Adonis Jimenes.<\/p>\n
Valley View returns three starters, including first-team all-star midfielder Braden Loff and second-team all-star midfielder Ethan Namlick. The Cougars graduated second-team all-star defender Noah Symuleski.<\/p>\n
Scranton returns nine starters, including first-team all-stars defender Gentil Mugabe and forward Amani Wilondja. The Knights graduated second-team all-star midfielder Alessandro Soto.<\/p>\n
Scranton Prep returns eight starters, including second-team all-stars defender Landon Cannon and midfielder Tyler Bianchi.<\/p>\n
Division II<\/p>\n
Last season, the battle for the division title was a three-team race with Mountain View prevailing with an 11-1 record. Dunmore finished 10-2, with Western Wayne finishing 9-3.<\/p>\n
Mountain View brings back five starters, including second-team all-stars goalkeeper Nick Beach and defender Jordan Jagger. The Eagles graduated first-team all-stars defender Ian Briechle and midfielders Julian MacDonald and Joel Tigue and second-team all-star midfielder Josh Tigue, and All-Region forward Blake Norton signed with MLS Next.<\/p>\n
Dunmore returns eight starters, including first-team all-star midfielder Russell Toole and second-team all-stars defender Carter Sload and midfielders Owen Joseph and Ryan Clark. The Bucks graduated all-state and All-Region forward Johnley Jean and first-team all-star defender Lucas Vullo.<\/p>\n
Western Wayne graduated All-Region forward Jacob Wells, first-team all-stars defender Graysen Valinski and midfielder Braden Laity and second-team all-stars defender Logan Pauler and forward Joey Tickner. The Wildcats return six starters.<\/p>\n
Mid Valley returns 10 starters, including first-team all-star goalkeeper Zackary Buza. The Spartans graduated first-team all-star defender Landon O\u2019Malley.<\/p>\n
West Scranton returns three starters, and graduated first-team all-star forward Caleb Kane.<\/p>\n
Lakeland returns 11 starters, including second-team all-stars defender Ryan McGrane, midfielder Alex Berlinski and forward Nicholas Janosky.<\/p>\n
Honesdale moves from Division I to Division II, and returns five starters.<\/p>\n
Division III<\/p>\n
Riverside won the Division III title last season, and graduated all-state and All-Region forward Johnny Chilleri, first-team all-stars defender Angelo D\u2019Amico, midfielders Nick Bohenek and Jose Sosa and second-team midfielder Steven Fuentes. The Vikings return three starters.<\/p>\n
Old Forge returns four starters, including first-team all-star forward William Garcia. The Blue Devils graduated first-team all-stars defender Nick Salerno and midfielder Logan Fanning and second-team all-star defender Avery VanLuvender.<\/p>\n
Holy Cross returns seven starters, including second-team all-stars defender Cole Gavin, midfielder Kenny Turada and forward Adam Badyrka. The Crusaders graduated first-team all-star forward Jamie Prislupski and second-team all-star keeper Evan McCoy.<\/p>\n
Blue Ridge returns six starters, and graduated first-team all-star defender Parker Glasgow and second-team all-stars midfielder Nolan Gnade and forward Riley Phillips.<\/p>\n
Montrose returns eight starters, including second-team all-stars midfielder Jack Stahl and forward Adam Sorensen.\u00a0The Meteors graduated second-team all-star defender Kaden Andre.<\/p>\n
Elk Lake graduated first-team all-stars keeper Gage Shupp and midfielder Cohen Orlandini. The Warriors return 10 starters, including first-team all-star defender Connor Stephens.<\/p>\n
Carbondale Area returns 12 players.<\/p>\n
Forest City graduated second-team all-star defender Riley Zukosky, and returns eight starters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Abington Heights\u2019 Joey Pivirotto (9) makes the kick to score the first goal of the game during the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":276361,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[305,178,180,179,726],"class_list":["post-276360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-high-school-sports","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=276360"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276360\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/276361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=276360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=276360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=276360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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