NTL BOYS SOCCER: LEZAK HOPING WILDCATS CAN GEL, REMAIN MENTALLY STRONG IN 2024 (2024-08-28)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Entering his 21st and final season on the sidelines as Athens boys soccer coach, Jake Lezak believes he has a talented team heading into the 2024 season, but says it needs to remain positive during tough times.

“We have talent and experience,” he said. “These guys have played a lot of soccer.

“I think they just need to put themselves against the better teams mentally.

“Our biggest concern about this team is their ability to gel, and maintain a positive mindset,” he noted. “They have to have an iron-clad mindset. How are they handling adversity? We haven’t handled it well individually, or as a group the last couple years.

“How are we going to handle adversity? We cannot, especially with our numbers, turn around and play ‘woe is me.’ Having that resilient mindset is the hardest thing for a player.

“If you falter for one play in one minute, you can’t make that the game,” he added.

Sophomore Zach Fisher will start in net for the Wildcats.

“Zach looks really good. He’s put in a lot of work, and has been sharp,” said Lezak. “We’re excited about that.”

Seniors Eli Benninger-Jones, Matt Driesbaugh, Lucius Mickley, Braden Quinn will start on the defensive line.

Sophomores Kam Wheeler and Zach Blackman, and seniors Josh Leonard and Brayden Onofre will start in the midfield.

“They are very inter-changeable players across the midfield, and that’s very nice for us to have,” said Lezak. “They’ve really put a lot of work in, really play well off of each other, and are doing some great things.

“There’s a lot of experience in the middle of the field, so we’re hoping to take advantage of that,” added Lezak.

Senior Isaac Wilcox will see time on the defensive line and in the midfield. Junior Alex Thompson will also see action in the midfield.

The Wildcats took a hit prior to the season when their leading returning scorer Marco Quiros, who qualified for States in two sprint events this spring, chose not to play this fall to concentrate on track.

They took another hit at the striker position at their scrimmage last week when junior Eli Vogell was injured.

“Junior Eli Vogell was in the mix, but broke his ankle in our scrimmage, and had to have surgery,” said Lezak. “He will be out until October. Hopefully, he can comeback in that time frame.”

Senior Troy Rosenbloom and sophomore Brycen Wood will be starting at strikers for the Wildcats.

“We’re hoping to utilize their skills, and have a completely different look up front than what we’ve ever had,” said Lezak.

Junior Chase Ingram will also see time in the midfield and at striker

“We’re really at 13 or 14 players for the varsity level,” said Lezak. “They will all be getting a lot of minutes.

They’ll be fit, that’s for sure. We’re just hoping they all stay healthy,” he added. “If not, the younger guys will have to step it up pretty quickly.”

So what is Lezak looking to get out of his team in 2024?

“My expectations are that we do better than last year,” he said. “Not just in winning games, but I want the guys to work on being a better player, a better teammate, and a better person.

“Those are the things that will take them further than the wins and losses,” added Lezak. “They need to show the most in personal growth. If they do that, hopefully, the game takes care of itself.”

Speaking on his retirement after the season, Lezak said it has more to do with taking over the family business than it does with coaching.

“For me, it’s about leaving the program in a good spot, and moving on to something else.

“I still love coaching, and working with these guys on the team this year, so it has nothing to do with the kids, or me losing my passion for coaching,” he said. “I still really enjoy it, and all the work I’ve put into it, and all the work the players have put into this season is making it really difficult to leave.

“But, I know I’m leaving the program in a good place, and I need to look at moving on.

“I’ve been away from my family in the fall forever,” noting Lezak.

“We have the apple orchard, and my parents aren’t getting any younger, so, rightfully, it falls on to me, and I gladly accept that.

“Falls will definitely be different,” he added.

AROUND THE NTL
“I think we lost the most,” said Lezak.

“I think it’s going to be Wellsboro, Williamson, North Penn-Liberty, and us, then anybody else at any given time.

“Wellsboro and Williamson have established themselves, and only lost a few seniors,” he noted. “And, Liberty has a lot back, plus they’ll get back their keeper, who missed last year with a broken arm, and he’s really good.

“Northeast Bradford brings just about everybody back, and we meet them right out of the gate, and I know Towanda brings back a tough team.

“I think Troy’s numbers are down, and they have a new coach, but as we learned last year, you can’t overlook anybody,” added Lezak.

Athens opens the 2024 campaign at home tonight against Northeast Bradford. Game time is 7 p.m.

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IN PHOTO: Athens senior Eli Benninger-Jones. … VSR STOCK PHOTO.

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