After last season when the Knights won their first WPIAL Championship and made a deep run into state playoffs, many thought the coming season would be a breeze. That is not the case for the Knights who have a new team and new challenges for the 2024-2025 season.
After a busy and productive summer of practices and the team’s annual soccer camp at Mercyhurst University, the Knights were prepared for a tough season. Starting off the season the Knights scrimmaged Kiski, Hampton, and Mt.Lebanon, where the Knights came out victorious in all three matches. Senior captains George Bunovich, Daniel Maddock, Ryan Schiller, Tanner Scheneck, and Dylan Moyer led the new members of the boys varsity team in to these victories.
“Team chemistry is the most important thing for our team,” senior Captain George Bunovich said. “Becoming a family is the most important thing for us to have success this year”
Going into the regular season the Knights played tough opponents in Peters Twp, and Seneca Valley both of which gave the team trouble last season and would do so this season as well. Against Peters Twp the Knights fought hard all game, but to no avail and lost 2-0. This streak continued against Seneca Valley where they lost 7-2.
These devastating losses hurt the team, but Coach Scotty Schuchert helped pick them back up and prepare them for their game against Hempfield on Sept. 5, 2024. In practice, the players go hard every day to make each other better and ready for the next game. Seniors Alex Krance and Elijah Baer are prime examples of effort beats talent, and they play hard every day.
“We had some challenges amongst ourselves, but we ironed them out and are locked in,” said senior Captain Ryan Schiller. “We are trying our best to improve our fundamentals to make a run for section champs.”
When the Knights finally faced off against Hempfield, they had a strong game beating them 10-0. Daniel Maddock was one of the more dominant players totaling the night with 4 goals of his own.
On Oct. 7, the Knights then had a non-section match against North Allegheny which was their Kick For A Cure game. Kick for a cure this year was dedicated to finding a cure for childhood cancer and supporting the family of Dyllan Botti who lost him at a young age due to cancer. The Knights lost the game 2-0, but kept their heads up looking forward to the coming section matches which are the ones that matter for playoffs.
While some may see these losses as scary or worrying Coach Schuchert is not so worried. His confidence was confirmed Sept 10 where the Knights played their best game of the season so far against Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The Knights came out on top 3-2. This set the Knights to 1-0 in the section, and gives them confidence heading into other section matches against some tough skills.
“Fear does not have to be our foe,” Schuchert said. “Fear can be our friend that tells us this is where winning happens.”
The Knights have taken their fear and used it to dominate rival teams. The Knights crushed Gateway 6-0 then soon after beat Penn Trafford 3-0. The team does not plan to let off the gas going forward.
The Knights have had some challenging battles against teams like Plum who is Norwin’s main competition in the section. That game is now behind them and now the Knights started the second half of their campaign facing all the challenges they faced again.
