MEN'S COLLEGE SOCCER: ATHENS' SCHEFTIC SIGNS TO PLAY AT PENN STATE-BEHREND (2 PHOTOS) (2020-02-20)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportATHENS "" Athens senior David Scheftic is ready to write the next chapter in his life, and he's found the perfect setting for the next four years. On Thursday, he signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play college soccer at Penn State-Behrend.
"I liked the coach, and I liked the team, and it's a very good engineering school," said Scheftic.
"I met a few of the players, I met the coaches, and I did a tour of the campus," he added. "I liked everything about it."
PSU-Behrend coach Dan Perritano made quite an impression in their meetings, said Scheftic.
"I like how the coach talks to people," said Scheftic. "He's very direct, and he doesn't hide anything."
Longtime Athens coach Jake Lezak believes Scheftic, a four-year starter that starred on two District 4 title teams, has what it takes to play at the next level.
"Honestly, his work ethic will make him successful, and his talent level is right there where it needs to be," said Lezak. "He has the build, he has the speed, and he has the experience.
"He came in for us and started his freshman year, and made the state playoffs," noted Lezak. "He's played against guys who have gone to all divisions, and played at all levels with his club team traveling all over the place and playing at a very high level.
"All that provides him with the experience that when he steps on the field at Penn State (Behrend), it's going to transfer," added Lezak. "That shock factor, the wow factor, won't be there for him; that will be important."
Scheftic knows he has things to work on in order to play at the next level.
"I think I need to work on my passing, my vision of the field, and a few of my decisions."
Lezak said the "speed of the game" will be the biggest adjustment.
"One of things he'll need to get use to is the speed of play, and he'll need to work on his individual speed.
"At the next level, when you're taking all the best players and putting them together on teams, and then playing against each other, the speed of play is always there," said Lezak. "As opposed to intermittent throughout the game like you see in high school ... everything is done faster, and quicker, so he's going to have to get use to that. I think that will be the biggest hurdle for him."
Scheftic plans on earning a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior David Scheftic. IN PHOTO 2: Front row: David Scheftic is flanked by his parents Dave and Lisa Scheftic. Back row, from left: Athens AD J.B. Sullivan, Athens soccer coach Jake Lezak, and Athens High School principal Corey Mosher. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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