Local players 'super-excited' to cap scholastic careers in Santa Fund Soccer Classic
Nov. 16—Thursday will serve as the final time many local seniors will play on the scholastic pitch as they compete in the 13th annual Santa Fund Soccer Classic.
A chance to make more memories on the same field as their fellow teammates in something a couple local players are looking forward to.
"I'm super-excited," Richland senior Evan Beglin said. "I get to play with my friends again even after our season is over.
"Having my coach there and a couple of my teammates really encourages me. That will be fun."
The inaugural class of The Tribune-Democrat High School Soccer Hall of Fame will be inducted before the girls (5:30 p.m.) and boys (7:30 p.m.) games held at Greater Johnstown High School's Trojan Stadium. In between both contests, the hall of fame class will be recognized.
This event benefits The Tribune-Democrat's Santa Fund, which provides gifts at Christmas for area families in financial hardship.
Leading the North boys will be Richland's Chad Duryea. Forest Hills' Carlos Gonzalez is the team's assistant. Carroll-McCort Catholic's Seth Cunningham and Brode Ryan; Cambria Heights' George Campbell and Reese Garrison; Central Cambria's Aidan Illig and Matt Kirsch; Chestnut Ridge's Levi Moyer and Elias Ritchey; Forest Hills' Seth Burnosky and Toby Wilt; Greater Johnstown's Michael Ferdella and Caleb Stiles; Penn Cambria's Andrew Dillon and Sean Tomlinson; Richland's Beglin, Jacob Cessna and Tylor Swope; and Westmont Hilltop's Micah Jones and Hunter Smith comprise the roster.
Bedford's Barrett Schrock is set to lead the South boys.
Windber's Devan Marhefka and Somerset's Mark Wassilchalk will assist. The lineup consists of Bedford's Cameron Beck, Chase Bussard and Cole Taylor; Berlin Brothersvalley's Aiden Klotz and Jacob Pelar; Conemaugh Township's Dylan Giffin and Max Malicki; Johnstown Christian's Mason Dean and Elijah Williams; Ligonier Valley's Matthew Salancy and Nathan Smith; North Star's Anestasio Musselman and Parker Scherer; Rockwood's Cole Hostetter and Jamison Ives; Somerset's Logan Seslow and Tanner Wassilchalk; United's Dakota Hood and Brad Kiesel; and Windber's Bryson Costa, Bailan Rugg and Cayden Thompson.
Beglin, who helped Richland win 2021 and 2023 District 6 titles, watched his older sister, Camryn, compete in the 2022 event. Getting to continue that lineage was important for him.
"I had a sibling that played in it, too, so it's cool to see she did it and now I get to play in it as well," Evan Beglin said.
Forest Hills' Lari Gallaher will lead the North girls, while being assisted by Richland's John Facci.
Carroll-McCort Catholic's Angelina Kutsick and Alex Otero; Cambria Heights' Maddy Link; Central Cambria's Brooke Kolar and Delaney Perrone; Forest Hills' Arissa Britt, Nina Martyak and Melanie Troy; Greater Johnstown's Piera Britt and Abigail Miller; Penn Cambria's Madison Farabaugh and Leah Shoemaker; Richland's Kate Duppstadt, Angelina Mavridis and Delaney Yost; and Westmont Hilltop's Payton Marion and Aubrey Rutledge make up the roster.
The South girls will be led by Conemaugh Township's Scott Thomas and assisted by Somerset's Brett Gardner and Berlin Brothersvalley's Turner Paul. The roster consists of Bedford's Kaitlyn Richardson and Ava Sipes; Berlin Brothersvalley's Ashley Brant; Conemaugh Township's Jenna Brenneman and Haylee Thomas; Johns- town Christian's Allison Burkey and Unity Miller; Ligonier Valley's Hailey Brown and Ella Pierce; North Star's Abby Barnick and Kaelyn States; Rockwood's Alexa Lintz and Mollie Wheatley; Somerset's Sarah Boden and Josie Steele; and Windber's Mariah Andrews, Riley Brubaker and Kaylee Dowdell.
Brubaker was enthusiastic when she found out she was going to play in the annual game. It will reunite her with an old travel soccer teammate in Kutsick on the other squad.
"I am actually super-excited because I'm competing against people I played travel with when I was little," Brubaker said. "Angel, I used to play with her all the time and we were so close friends. I'm just so excited to see her again because it's been so long. When I found out the news I was going to be a part of it, I was ecstatic."
Earning a chance to play on the pitch one final time with Windber teammates Andrews and Dowdell will mean a lot to Brubaker.
"All three of us are really close so getting to spend our last game together, I'm just excited to just cherish that moment with Mariah and Kaylee," Brubaker said.
Jake Oswalt is a copy editor for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @TheWizOfOz11.
