VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: ATHENS' ARNOLD SELECTED BOYS SOCCER 'PLAYER OF YEAR' — ATHENS' LANE, SCHEFTIC, MASLIN, LEZAK, SAYRE'S POST ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2019-11-28)
Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY "” A tremendous field general and all-around skilled player,
Athens senior Luke Arnold helped Athens to its fourth straight District 4, Class AAA title game appearance, and is the 2019
Valley Sports Report Boys Soccer "
Player of the Year."
Athens senior
Aaron Lane is the "
Offensive Player of the Year," Athens senior
David Scheftic is the "
Defensive Player of the Year," Athens senior
Joel Maslin is the "
Goalkeeper of the Year," Sayre freshman
Brayden Post is the "
Newcomer of the Year," and Athens'
Jake Lezak is the "
Coach of the Year."
Arnold is a tireless performer with great speed, tremendous foot skills, a sky-high soccer IQ, and an incredibly strong leg. He scored 18 goals and doled out 17 assists.
Lane, who is a fast and tenacious performer and highly-skilled in the air, scored a Valley-high 29 goals and dished out 14 assists.
Ultra-athletic and a team leader, Scheftic was a major cog in an Athens defense that allowed just nine goals in a 15-4 campaign, including 10 consecutive shutouts. He was also a major weapon for the Wildcats with his ability to get into the air on corner kicks.
Athletic and aggressive, Maslin allowed just six goals in 16 games. He pitched 10 shutouts in a row this season.
Quick, with a good grasp of the game, and great vision of the field, Post scored five goals and dished out a Valley-best 23 assists in his first varsity season.
Lezak, who now has 234 career wins, guided the Wildcats to their six straight league title, and back to their fourth consecutive appearance in the District 4, Class AAA championship game. The Wildcats are currently riding a 35-match league win streak, and have played 64 league games without a loss.
The 2019 All-Valley Boys Soccer team is:
FORWARDS
Aaron Lane, senior, Athens: See above.
Cody VanBenthuysen, junior, Sayre: Possessing great foot skills and a very high soccer IQ, VanBenthuysen scored 24 of his team's 43 goals this season, and also had eight assists.
MIDFIELD
Luke Arnold, senior, Athens: See above.
Jesse Sumner, senior, Athens: Fast, hard-working, possessing great foot skills and a sky-high soccer IQ, Sumner plays the game with an attitude. He scored 18 goals and doled out 10 assists.
Mason Hughey, sophomore, Sayre: Possessing good foot skills, with a strong grasp for the game, Hughey scored 12 goals and dished out seven assists.
Alex Rowe, senior, Athens: A fast and heady player, Rowe had three goals and nine assists this season.
DEFENSE
David Scheftic, senior, Athens: See above.
Doug Vosburg, senior, Athens: Very fast and a fiery competitor, Vosburg was a key defender for the Wildcats in 2019. He had two assists.
Matt Nowacoski, senior, Athens: A smart and athletic defender, Nowacoski had three assists this season.
GOALKEEPER
Joel Maslin, senior, Athens: See above.
"”"”"”"”"”"”
IN PHOTO: Athens' Luke Arnold.
"”"”"”"”"”"”
PAST "PLAYER OF THE YEAR" WINNERS2019 - Luke Arnold
2018 - Luke Arnold and Jesse Sumner, Athens
2017 - Ethan Lane, Athens
2016 - Shane Colegrove, Athens
2015 - Ryan Segar, Athens
2014 - Ryan Segar, Athens
2013 "”Seth Murrelle, Sayre
2012 - Seth Murrelle, Sayre
2011 - Seth Murrelle, Sayre
2010 - Taylor Skerpon, Sayre
2009 - Taylor Skerpon, Sayre
