Pennridge earns Boys' Soccer Team of the Year for Bucks/Intell
The Pennridge Rams accomplished a lot on the pitch this fall. Seventeen wins, which equaled a school record. A place in the District One Class 4A semifinals and the PIAA state quarterfinals.
It was a fitting conclusion to a career for head coach Pete Valimont, a Pennridge alum who announced his retirement after 15 seasons.
The Rams were paced by senior Shane Velez, the Pennsylvania Male Player of the Year and a regional All American. But there was talent throughout the roster; keeper C.J. Dimmick, forward Jared Hess, and defender Thomas McKinney were all first-team all-conference selections.
“For me it was a satisfying way for my career to end,” Valimont said, “and I have no regrets with how it went.”
Talent alone however is not the only ingredient in creating an elite soccer team.
Velez believes a big key to the Rams’ success was their closeness off the field, a bond that grew stronger with the passage of time.
“I really think it started off the soccer field,” Velez said. “We were just a bunch of guys and friends before the team came together. We all knew each other from the past few years. We focused on building a team chemistry rather than just focusing on the soccer side so outside of soccer, all the guys were trying to hang out as much as possible.
“Having that personal connection with the players makes it that much easier to work with them on the field and you learn their tendencies too. So, it really makes the team better and then you’re able to perform even better.”
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pennridge earns Boys' Soccer Team of the Year
