Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY — Athens junior goalkeeper Zach Fisher played a leading role in the Wildcats' trip to the District 4, Class 3A championship game. He is the 2025 VSR All-Valley "Boys Soccer Player of the Year."
This year's All-Valley squad is dominated by Athens, 11-6-2, with five of the seven donning silver-and-black, including a clean sweep of the major awards.
Athens senior Alex Thompson is the "Defensive Player of the Year," while freshman Chase Gombocz is the "Newcomer of the Year," sophomore Patrick Umber is the "Breakout Player of the Year," and first-year coach Travis Reynard is the "Coach of the Year.
Fisher, who is the first keeper to ever named VSR "Player of the Year," recorded 102 saves, and allowed just nine goals in 19 games, helping the Wildcats to an 11-6-2 record.
Fisher had 12 clean sheets this season, including a pair of 0-0 ties. He also had four 1-0 losses on the season.
In the District 4 semifinals, Fisher stopped two of four penalty kicks in a win over Shikellamy. The game was tied at 1-1 after 100 minutes, before Athens won in penalty kicks, 4-2.
The Wildcats lost 1-0 to Selinsgrove in the Class 3A title game.
A physical defender with good speed, Thompson was a major part of Athens' success on the defensive back line.
Using his speed, foot skills and head for the game, Gombocz made an immediate impact on the Wildcats in his first varsity season. He scored four goals and dished out a team-high four assists.
Fast and athletic, Umber had one goal and one assist last year as a freshman. This season, Umber scored a team-high six goals and dished out two assists.
In his first season, Reynard directed the Wildcats to an 11-6-2 season and a berth in the District 4, Class 3A Championship game.
The Wildcats also won their first NTL title since 2021.
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PLAYER OF YEAR / KEEPER OF YEAR: Zach Fisher, Athens
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR: Alex Thompson, Athens
NEWCOMER OF YEAR: Chase Gombocz, Athens
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF YEAR: Patrick Umber, Athens
COACH OF YEAR: Travis Reynard, Athens
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2025 All-Valley Boys Soccer Super 7
Zach Fisher, junior, Athens: See above.
Chase Gombocz, freshman, Athens: See above.
Patrick Umber, sophomore, Athens: See above.
Brady Landmesser, senior, Tioga: A seasoned veteran on a young team, Landmesser was like a coach on the field for the Tigers. He was also a physical presence with a strong leg. He scored three goals on the season.
Peyton Robinson, senior, Waverly: A fiery competitor and heady player, Robinson scored seven goals and dished out five assists.
Alex Thompson, senior, Athens: See above.
Brycen Wood, junior, Athens: Wood was a hard-nosed and athletic defender on an Athens defense that allowed just nine goals this season.
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All-Valley Super 7 Newcomers
Chase Gombocz, Athens: See above.
Rory Smart, Athens
Ian Johnston, Waverly
Caden Brennan, Athens
James Cole, Waverly
Colin Wilson, Tioga
Kohen Croft, Waverly
All-Valley Defense
Alex Thompson, Athens: See above.
Logan Roskow, Waverly
Brycen Wood, Athens
Alan Seaberg, Tioga
Alex Arcesi, Athens
Ayran Gaur, Athens
Collin Wheeler, Waverly
Colin Wilson, Tioga
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PAST WINNERS:
BOYS SOCCER “PLAYERS OF THE YEAR"
2025 — Zach Fisher, Athens
2024 — Troy Rosenbloom, Athens
2023 — Tyler Roe, Tioga
2022 — Griff Schillmoeller, Waverly
2021 — Only two varsity teams — no awards given.
2020-21 — Mason Hughey, Sayre
2019 — Luke Arnold, Athens
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
