Quaker Valley Athletics
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Boys Varsity Soccer
Team News.
4.0 years ago @ 10:10AM
MIKE WHITE
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
JUN 8, 2020
8:52 AM
It was back in December that Quaker Valley High School senior Dom Reiter was named the Post-Gazette Player of the Year for the WPIAL. Six months later, he gets another POY award for the entire state.
Reiter was named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year on Monday. Although high school soccer in Pennsylvania is played in the fall, Gatorade waits until the spring to select players of the year for each state.
Reiter had a tremendous senior season, leading Quaker Valley to a 24-2 record and WPIAL and PIAA Class 2A championships. A forward, Reiter tallied a school-record 55 goals and 24 assists.
Reiter also had a flair for the dramatic, coming up big in Quaker Valley’s biggest games. His twin brother, Fritz, also played a big role in Dom’s memorable moments.
In the WPIAL championship against Deer Lakes, Dom scored the winning goal in overtime after Fritz lofted a ball over the top that Dom chased down. Quaker Valley won the PIAA championship with a 2-1 victory against New Hope-Solebury. The Reiter brothers scored the two goals and also assisted the other.
Dom Reiter finished his Quaker Valley career with 85 goals and 53 assists. He graduated in December and enrolled at Pitt for the spring semester. He will play for the Panthers in the fall.
Mike White: mwhite@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mwhiteburgh
First Published June 8, 2020, 8:52am
4.0 years ago @ 2:22PM
By: Michael Love
Thursday, May 14, 2020 | 5:30 PM
As a member of the boys soccer team at Quaker Valley from 1999-2002, J.J. Veshio was a part of successful squads that won PIAA and WPIAL championships and added a state runner-up finish under the direction of revered coach Gene Klein.
Veshio returned to the Quakers as an assistant coach in 2008 and has helped keep them formidable for more than a decade.
Now, he will get a chance to lead the program.
The Quaker Valley athletic department, led by athletic director Mike Mastroianni, announced Thursday it has hired Veshio as its next head boys soccer coach.
“I am so honored and humbled to be selected for this position and promise to work my absolute hardest to continue to uphold the legacy of QV soccer that every player and coach that has come before me has worked to maintain,” Veshio said in a statement.
Veshio, the son of longtime Quaker Valley football and track and field coach and former athletic director Jerry Veshio, replaces Andrew Marshall at the helm. Marshall served as head coach the past five seasons.
Quaker Valley, led by the offensive prowess of Fritz Reiter, Franky Fernandez and Dom Reiter, captured its ninth WPIAL title and eighth PIAA crown in 2019. The team went 8-0 in the Class 2A postseason to finish 24-2 overall.
The Quakers compiled a 94-21-4 record from 2015-19 and added a WPIAL title in 2016 and a PIAA championship in 2017. Quaker Valley was a WPIAL runner-up in 2017 and 2018 and a PIAA runner-up in 2016.
“I feel my connection to this program and the players has enabled me to be in a position to lead the next group and to continue the rich tradition of success we have at Quaker Valley,” said Veshio, a health and physical education teacher in the school district.
“Whether we win or lose, I want to give the players a unique opportunity to better themselves in a team environment through the game of soccer.”
Michael Love is a Tribune-Review Staff Writer. You can contact Michael by email at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter .
5.0 years ago @ 2:24PM
December 13, 2019 7:00 AM
Tri-State Sports & News Service
Dom Reiter ended his senior year at Quaker Valley with the single-season scoring record of 55 goals. Now, he wishes it would go to somebody else.
Don’t get him wrong, Reiter is immensely proud of the accomplishment. But for someone who grew up hearing tales about the legendary Quakers teams and watching great ones in person, Reiter knows from experience how special it is to be a part of the Quaker Valley soccer program. After all of his dreams came true, he wants some young kid to do the same. Plus, they aren’t shy to tell him that’s what they want, too.
“There have been a few kids who have said they want that record,” Reiter said with a laugh. “I hope they do. I want them to break it. That would make me incredibly happy.”
It will take a special season to put together something like Reiter’s senior year, when he led the Quakers to Class 2A WPIAL and PIAA titles as well. He also is the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette boys soccer Player of the Year.
All of the goals, stats and trophies are remarkable on their own. But the way that Reiter accumulated them, many times with the help of twin brother, Fritz, made it all even more magical. In the state final, a 2-1 triumph against New Hope Solebury, the brothers each scored a goal and assisted the other. In the WPIAL final against Deer Lakes, Dom knocked in the golden goal in overtime after Fritz lofted a ball over the top that Dom chased down. Those shared moments are something they will always remember.
“Having scored that goal, especially when my brother assisted on it, there was this feeling of ‘Oh my gosh, that actually happened,’” said Dom Reiter. “That was something I dreamed about for most of my life. It was a surreal moment and something I’ll never forget.”
The Deer Lakes match was a tough one. The Lancers tested the Quakers throughout, constantly trying to take the win. But Quaker Valley answered every time and emerged victorious. It was after that grueling victory that Reiter and his teammates believed they were going to bring home another trophy. It was the eighth PIAA trophy in school history, the most of any program.
So where does the 2019 squad fit into the all-time Quaker Valley rankings? Just for fun, Reiter provided an answer.
“I would say No. 2,” Reiter said. “I would like to say No. 1, but that ‘96 team went undefeated. I am a little biased because I was on this team. I’m sure some alumni might have something else to say about it.”
It’s hard to believe now, but Quaker Valley actually lost two of its first three games. Then they reeled off 23 consecutive wins. Those losses stung, but they helped galvanize the squad.
“Of course, you want to win every game,” Reiter said. “But you learn from your failures. We came out of that game [a 3-1 loss against West Allegheny Sept. 3] but we knew that we didn’t play anywhere near our ability. [Defender] Tommy Guild came off the field and said, ‘We’re not losing again.’ And we didn’t.”
Here’s the rest of the Post-Gazette all-area team:
• Fletcher Amos, West Allegheny — After leading the Indians to the first PIAA title in school history last year, Amos finished his career strong with a 20-goal effort.
• Niko Apodiakos, Belle Vernon — The Seton Hill recruit netted 15 goals and helped the Leopards reach the WPIAL 3A semifinals.
• Anthony DiFalco, Franklin Regional — An all-everything player for the Panthers. DiFalco was dubbed all-WPIAL, all-state and All-American. He scored 34 goals and assisted on 14 other scores. The sophomore has led the team to back-to-back WPIAL championships.
• Chad Eldridge, South Fayette — A big presence on the pitch at 6 feet 2, Eldridge usually found himself in front of the net where he would capitalize on scoring opportunities. He found the back of the net 17 times.
• Joey Fonagy, Canon-McMillan — Fonagy will go down in Canon-McMillan lore after an epic performance in winning the WPIAL Class 4A championship. Fonagy headed in the winner in overtime to knock off Mt. Lebanon.
• Connor Hudson, Franklin Regional — His solid play at midfield helped Franklin Regional control the pace again this year. Hudson also scored nine goals and passed out 10 assists.
• Zane Ingram, Fox Chapel — While not a big scorer, Ingram was usually a key piece of the action. He bumped from center-back to midfield this season and his ability to slow opponents and kickstart offensive surges were second to none.
• Luke Peperak, Connellsville — A two-time all-state selection, Peperak scored 33 times this season. He finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in Falcons history with 87.
• Luke Rupert, Seneca Valley — An electric player with breakaway speed, Rupert was a big reason why the Raiders hoisted a WPIAL championship trophy last year. He was just as effective this year and scored 19 times.
• Nate Ward, Greensburg Central Catholic — The Indiana recruit knocked in 31 goals including a beauty in the WPIAL championship to secure first title since 2009.
• Cullin Woytovich, Charleroi — Last year’s scoring leader was again near the top of the district with 48 goals. He is a two-time all-area selection.
5.0 years ago @ 10:51AM
By: Greg Macafee
Friday, November 15, 2019 | 4:04 PM
HERSHEY — For the second time in three years, the Quaker Valley boys soccer team is heading home with the PIAA Class AA state championship trophy in hand.
But it might not make it to their trophy case at the high school.
“I hope I don’t have to let it go, I might have to sleep with it tonight,” senior forward Dom Reiter said.
After a scoreless first half against District I champion New Hope-Solebury, the Quakers exploded for two goals in the second half and held off the Lions late to capture their eighth state championship with a 2-1 victory at Hersheypark Stadium.
“This is amazing, but being at Quaker Valley, it’s the expectation,” Quaker Valley coach Andrew Marshall said. “It feels awesome, but the No. 1 thing is this team’s approach every day was ‘Let’s just get better today and whatever happens, happens.’”
Reiter put the Quakers ahead in the 63rd minute when his brother Fritz freed him up for an opportunity in front of the goal. The Pitt-bound striker fired a bullet from around the penalty spot and buried it into the back of the net for Quaker Valley’s go-ahead goal.
Almost six minutes later, Dom returned the favor. He sent Fritz into the box, and the Gettysburg commit squeaked a shot past New Hope goalie Kyle Campbell into the left side of the net with 11 minutes remaining.
“That’s a dream come true right there,” Dom said. “In our last game together, we are both going are separate ways, and to be able to assist him and for him to assist me, that’s exactly how you want it to end for sure.”
Throughout the first half, the Quakers looked out of their element. They were slow on the ball and played almost too relaxed. The Lions didn’t find the back of the net, but they were controlling the pace of play, and it almost paid off.
After dominating the middle of the field, junior midfielder Davis Nagg missed a shot midway through the half that drew a deep exhale from the Quaker Valley faithful in attendance.
The Quakers knew something needed to change.
“We felt like we just weren’t playing our game,” Marshall said. “We didn’t change anything tactically, but I think we came out with the mentality that assistant coach Sean Ryan said it best ‘composure and quality. If we start having that something will happen.’ And that’s exactly what happened.”
The Quaker Valley seniors have been to Hershey three times in their high school careers. In 2016, they captured the WPIAL title, but fell in the state final 1-0 to Lewisburg.
In 2017, it was opposite. The Quakers lost in a double-overtime thriller to Shady Side Academy in the WPIAL championship, but rebounded to make a run for state title No. 7.
This season, the seniors on the team set a goal to capture both trophies in the same year.
Mission accomplished.
“To win WPIAL, then state, that was our goal going into the year,” Dom Reiter said. “So, to accomplish that, it was a sense of relief almost. Being able to win both in the same year, we’ve wanted that for a long time.”
Greg Macafee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Greg by email at gmacafee@tribweb.com or via Twitter .
5.0 years ago @ 8:38PM
By: Shawn Annarelli
Sunday, November 24, 2019 | 10:01 AM
Dom Reiter will replay the final moments from the PIAA Class AA championship game in his head over and over like a viral video.
He’ll recall goaltender Rees Edwards darting across the penalty box to field a free kick in the last second, hugging the first person he saw, forward Fisher Hemwall, and watching defender Tommy Guild throw his jersey off in excitement.
“It was one of those times where you let the happiness overtake you,” Reiter said. “I’ll never forget the final second ticking off the clock and celebrating with my teammates.”
Quaker Valley’s soccer season played out a lot like a movie, especially in its final act.
Dom and Fritz Reiter rewrote the program’s record books and capped off their high school careers by assisting each other’s goals in the state championship game, a 2-1 victory for the Quakers over New Hope-Solebury.
They showed how 15 years of passing back and forth can pay off in their last game together.
“You can point down the line and credit every player in this program,” Quaker Valley coach Andrew Marshall said. “Dom and Fritz, rightfully so, get a lot of the headlines. They’re incredible leaders. Not to take away anything from anyone, but if you were to write the script, you put Dom and Fritz getting those goals.”
There were plenty of subplots to Quaker Valley’s season, not the least of which was when the Reiter twins connected for the double-overtime game-winner against Deer Lakes in the WPIAL championship game.
For a program that has won nine WPIAL and eight PIAA titles, it is the first time the Quakers (24-2) took home each in the same season since the undefeated 1996 team.
“To be able to leave it all on the field and win everything, it just puts you in the history books of Quaker Valley and Pennsylvania high school soccer,” Dom Reiter said. “It’s special.”
With the Reiter twins often in the spotlight, Franky Fernandez seemingly flew under the radar en route to tying the program’s all-time assists record at 57.
“He is one of, if not the, most important pieces to this team,” Fritz Reiter said. “The passes he sets up, and the tempo he adds to the game is remarkable. He’s the best at elevating everyone’s play.”
Weston Grant inspired the team by returning to the lineup less than a year after a broken tibia and fibula nearly required amputation.
“We were all crushed when he was injured,” Fritz Reiter said. “He worked so hard to crack the starting lineup and did everything right, and he came back after nine months out and was still the same player with the same drive. To see him persevere, it motivated the entire team.”
The Quakers shut out opponents 14 times with two goalies, Rees Edwards and Zach Buhr, sharing duties.
They were supported for most of the season by Blaise Burns, Nick Kriebel and Guild on the backline.
Guild tried to pinpoint how the Quakers won 23 consecutive games after a 1-2 start in their storybook season.
“I think what sets us apart from other teams is that we’re not friends because of soccer,” Guild said. “We’ve just always been friends, and soccer was just part of what strengthened our bond.”
The Quakers ended the season with Marshall asking his team to look around the locker room after the state championship game.
If it was the team’s last time together, he wanted everyone to able be to reflect on it.
“He said to cherish the moments we have left together,” Dom Reiter said. “I really took that to heart. I think we all did.”
5.0 years ago @ 10:36AM
ED PHILLIPPS
Tri-State Sports & News Service
NOV 15, 2019
6:00 AM
It’s hard to imagine now, but way back at the beginning of the season, Quaker Valley had a losing record. The Quakers won their first game before dropping the next two. What they have done since then is the reason that start has been forgotten.
The Quakers, now 23-2, have ridden a 22-game winning streak right into the PIAA Class 2A championship match. They face District 1 winner New Hope Solebury (17-6) at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Hersheypark Stadium.
At no point during this season did the team’s confidence waver. They knew that this squad could do something special.
“We were confident in that ability even when we were losing,” said Quaker Valley coach Andrew Marshall. “We knew there was a lot of potential.”
The combination of a high-scoring offense and stingy defense has made the Quakers unbeatable for well over two months. Dom Reiter has scored a school-record 54 goals. Some of his biggest scores were the game-winner in overtime to secure the WPIAL title and a late first-half score that broke a scoreless tie in the semifinals against Mercyhurst Prep that put the Quakers in the championship.
“Dom has been a leader amongst many leaders throughout the year,” Marshall said. “A lot of times he is the one that needs to put the goal in the back of the net.”
Quaker Valley has other capable scorers and facilitators, including Fritz Reiter, Dom’s twin brother, Franky Fernandez and Rowan Kriebel. Those players are physically gifted and also cerebral when it comes to making the right moves on the field and reading the flow of the match. Marshall said that could be an advantage when playing for a state title against a team that they have not seen before.
“They’re always analyzing the game and able to play as the game requires,” said Marshall. “You have to be ready for anything. That’s the approach that we have.”
The Quakers have scored 174 goals this season, good for the second-highest tally in the program’s history. Only the 1993 squad’s total of 195 goals is higher.
The Quakers have a rich history in boys soccer with seven state championships in 13 title match appearances. Perhaps the most revered squad was the 1996 team that went undefeated while collecting WPIAL and state gold. There is a tie to that team in Keller Chamovitz. His father, Sam, played on that 1996 squad.
The Lions won 1A titles in 2010 and 2011 before moving up in classification.
5.0 years ago @ 12:03PM
EDDIE PHILLIPPS
Tri-State Sports & News Service
NOV 1, 2019
11:24 PM
Dom Reiter holds the Quaker Valley single season record with 52 goals this year. None were bigger than his most recent.
Reiter knocked the game-winner in after tracking down a ball played over the top to lift the Quakers to the WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer title.
Immediately after leading the Quakers to their ninth WPIAL title, Reiter recalled watching Quakers games as kid and hoping to one day leave his mark on the program. He did just that with 7:49 remaining in the second extra period.
“This is something I’ve wished for for a very long time,” said Reiter. “Going to Quaker Valley high school games since I was a kid, this is one that really means a lot for me.”
The Quakers won the district championship in 2016, but lost in the finals the past two years. Getting over that hump was important to the upper classmen.
“Of course, how could that not be on your mind?” said Quaker Valley coach Andrew Marshall. “Our senior class, they really didn't want to feel that again.”
The Quakers brought an 18-game winning streak into the match. They had outscored their playoff opponents by a combined score of 19-0. Despite that dominance, the Lancers struck first and never backed down.
Deer Lakes pushed the pace early and Tyler Tofil scored the opening goal less than four minutes in.
Reiter answered with his first goal of the night to tie the score, 1-1. Then, the Quakers took their first lead with 1:16 remaining before the break. Keller Chamovitz lofted a free kick over a wall of defenders and into the goal from 30 yards away.
The pace picked up in the back-and-forth second-half burst, when the teams combined to score three times between the 60th and 68th minute.
Deer Lakes got the equalizer after Ryan Rodgers dribbled the ball along the baseline and centered a pass to Michael Sullivan, who buried a direct shot on goal.
Quaker Valley answered two minutes later when Rowan Kriebel bent in a shot from about 25 yards out.
Deer Lakes knotted the score once again by answering with a goal by A.J. Dorman to force the extra time.
In the first overtime, Lancers captain Devin Murray was issued a yellow card with 1:22 left. That took Murray out of the match for a spell and took the Lancers out of their groove. Deer Lakes coach Dan Yates vehemently disagreed with the call.
“It kind of killed us,” said Yates. “Devon was controlling the midfield, he’s making things happen. A yellow card for simulation when the guy took him out, it just killed us.”
5.0 years ago @ 8:34PM
By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 | 1:40 PM
The coach came bearing good news.
Forget biology. This was more like AP soccer.
DiFalco, a sophomore forward, was selected as a United Soccer Coaches Region II All-American.
He was one of two WPIAL players selected for one of the highest honors in high school soccer, joining Peters Township senior midfielder Hannah Stuck.
DiFalco, who also was an all-state and All-WPIAL player, scored 30 goals and delivered 14 assists for the Panthers (21-1-1), who won their second straight WPIAL Class AAA championship and reached the PIAA semifinals.
He is Franklin Regional’s first all-American soccer player.
Stuck, a Bucknell commit who also pulled in all-state and All-WPIAL accolades, had 24 goals and 20 assists for Peters Township, which made the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals.
She had 89 goals and 68 assists in her career. Stuck, who carries a 4.8 grade-point average, was a four-time All-WPIAL and two-time all-state player.
The USC All-Region II East teams also were announced and the boys team includes DiFalco and senior forwards Luke Peperak of Connellsville and Dom Reiter of Quaker Valley.
WPIAL girls all-region selections are Stuck, Mars junior midfielder Ellie Coffield and North Allegheny junior forward Sarah Schupansky. The latter two are Pitt recruits.
Full All-American, all-region teams:
Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review Staff Writer. You can contact Bill by email at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter
5.0 years ago @ 10:39AM
FROM LOCAL DISPATCHES
NOV 13, 2019
10:38 PM
Quaker Valley 3, Mercyhurst Prep 0: Dom Reiter’s late first-half goal gave the Quakers a 1-0 advantage at halftime, and they tacked on two more goals in the second half to secure the semifinal victory. The Quakers are in the final for the 13th time in school history and are shooting for an eighth championship. Quaker Valley (23-2) will face District 1 champion New Hope Solebury (17-6) at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Hersheypark Stadium.
Wednesday’s victory extended Quaker Valley’s state semifinal record to 13-2 all time. The Quakers are now 4-0 against Mercyhurst Prep all time.
After Reiter’s opening score, which pushed his single-season record to 54 goals, senior defender Tommy Guild scored off a corner kick by Franky Fernandez that got loose in front of the net with 15:16 remaining. Less than 30 seconds later, sophomore Rowan Kriebel added an insurance goal to extend the lead.
After losing two of its first three matches, Quaker Valley is riding a 22-game wining streak that began Sept. 5. In postseason play, the Quakers have four shutouts in seven games. The Quakers have scored 174 goals this season, which is the second most in the program’s history. Only the 1993 squad’s tally of 195 goals is higher.
The Quakers snapped the Lakers’ two-game win streak against WPIAL opponents. Mercyhurst Prep took out Shady Side Academy in the first round, then knocked out Deer Lakes in the quarterfinals.
5.0 years ago @ 8:44AM
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 | 3:05 PM
Keller Chamovitz
School: Quaker Valley
Sport: Soccer
Class: Sophomore
Claim to fame: Keller Chamovitz’s father Sam was part of Quaker Valley’s undefeated 1996 soccer team, and now he’s on a similar journey.
Keller had a hand in Quaker Valley’s first two goals in the WPIAL championship game against Deer Lakes.
He was credited with an assist to Dom Reiter for the first score and bent a 30-yard free kick over a wall and into the back left corner of the net to give the Quakers an early lead en route to their 4-3 overtime win.
When did your dad start teaching you about soccer?
Well, he didn’t force soccer on me. I played a lot of sports when I was young, and I probably started playing soccer in the park with him when I was 4. I was pretty good for my age, just being taller and faster. He did train me hard when I decided I wanted to play, and he wanted me to be a better player than him.
Who is the better soccer player?
It could be a fun debate.
How do you and your dad compare to each other on the soccer field?
From what I’ve seen on video and heard, his biggest strength was his shooting ability. That’s what I feel is the best part of my game.
Speaking of shooting ability, your free kick had to be perfect. How much have you practiced that shot?
The key is just repetition. I’ve gone to the park for 10 or so years and practiced that shot, and I’ve been waiting for the right moment and an important time for it. Practicing shooting all this season paid off when it mattered.
Your assist went to Dom Reiter, who now has the most points in a single season in program history. How much have you learned from playing with him?
Dom is outstanding. He has the most goals this season and probably the most assists, at least top two. Him and his brother Fritz have taught me how to think about the game and be mentally prepared to play better. All of the seniors are really good, so they’ve taught me a lot.
This senior class has been trying to win another WPIAL title for the last three years. How important was it to you and other underclassmen to win another championship for them?
I saw the devastation on everyone’s faces last year. I didn’t see any minutes, but I was on the bench watching, so I felt really bad for them. I think all of the underclassmen made sure we put in everything on the line for them to get that feeling of winning it again.
What would it mean to take home a state title like your dad?
I know how the WPIAL championship felt, the pressure there and the relief of winning it. States will be another whole level of that, so it would be very exciting.
5.0 years ago @ 12:05PM
By Andrew Chiappazzi
Posted Nov 1, 2019 at 11:36 PM Updated Nov 2, 2019 at 2:50 PM
Dom Reiter scored in the second overtime to give Quaker Valley a 4-3 win over Deer Lakes in the WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer championship
PITTSBURGH – Redemption never tasted so sweet.
After coming up short in each of the past two years, Dom Reiter’s goal with 7:49 left in the second overtime served as a golden breakthrough for Quaker Valley. The Quakers defeated Deer Lakes 4-3 to capture the WPIAL Class 2A boys soccer championship.
“After I scored, I ran back and I was like, ‘What do I do?’ I’d never scored an overtime goal,” Reiter said. “I was just kind of in shock. To be mobbed by my teammates was an amazing feeling.”
After it won WPIAL gold in 2016, Quaker Valley fell short in each of the past two championship games played at Highmark Stadium. Silver was all it could claim in 2017 and 2018. But thanks to a perfectly placed lob pass from brother Fritz Reiter to Dom Reiter as the clock ticked inside of eight minutes in the second overtime, the monkey is officially off Quaker Valley’s back.
“How could that not be on your mind? But it’s high school soccer,” Quaker Valley coach Andrew Marshall said. “Every year changes so much. You gain experience and I think that experience for our senior class especially really gave them that little extra – they wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again.”
The overtime goal was something Dom Reiter long dreamed of, as most soccer players have. A game-winning goal to give your team the championship is the script most players adhere to while playing in the backyard. But for Reiter, the goal carried a little extra meaning. With just over six minutes left in regulation, he earned a yellow card and had to come off the field for five minutes. The last place any senior wants to be with the game on the line is on the bench.
“Coming off, I kind of felt like I let the team down,” Reiter said. “I was really determined to try and pick it up for them. To get that goal and kind of win it for the team just felt fantastic.
Much like it had throughout regulation, Deer Lakes controlled possession throughout the first overtime and into the second. It tested but ultimately didn’t severely threaten Quaker Valley goalie Zach Buhr. The Reiter to Reiter connection came against the run of play, just as Dom Reiter’s first goal of the game did back in the first half.
“I think they outplayed us for most of the game, to be fair,” Marshall said. “But in those crucial moments, we stood up when we needed to. I think that comes down to leadership and wanting to maybe get a little monkey off our back there.”
Quaker Valley hadn’t given up a goal throughout the WPIAL playoffs, but Deer Lakes took a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the game courtesy of Tyler Tofil. Reiter tied it with 13 minutes left in the half, and just before halftime, Keller Chamovitz converted on a free kick to give the Quakers a 2-1 lead.
“I don’t care how it goes in, man, as long as it goes in,” Marshall said with a laugh. “I think that might be our first direct kick all year. I’d have to check, but I’ll take them however they come.”
That set the stage for a back-and-forth second half. Deer Lakes tied the game with 20 minutes left in regulation, only for Quaker Valley to yank the lead back on Rowan Kriebel’s goal three minutes later. A.J. Dorman tied it again with 12:08 left, and neither side could get the winner in regulation.
The frenetic finish to regulation enabled Reiter, a Pitt recruit and 50-goal scorer, to play the role of hero and win a WPIAL championship as a senior.
“This is something, growing up watching Quaker Valley and the history with it, it’s something you always dream about,” Reiter said. “I’ve been going to Quaker Valley high school games since I was a little kid, so this is something that means a lot to me, for sure.”
5.0 years ago @ 10:58AM
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 | 12:32 PM
Tommy Guild
School: Quaker Valley
Sport: Soccer
Class: Senior
Claim to fame: Tommy Guild has been known the last three seasons for anchoring the Quakers defense, but he got a rare goal in his second to last game to help secure a spot in the PIAA championship game.
He also led the defensive unit with senior Rees Edwards in net to a nearly flawless final two games. They combined for a shutout in the semifinals and found a way to defeat New Hope-Solebury, 2-1, in the title game.
“It feels like everything came together for a perfect season,” Guild said.
Can you explain your goal that helped secure a win in the semifinals?
We were up 1-0 with about 20 minutes left. … I moved up for a corner, and I had gotten a few goals early in the season but had a streak of 10 or 11 games without scoring. Fritz Reiter told to me to stay back that one time, and I didn’t know why. The ball came through front post, and I realized nobody was there so I hit it with my left foot and we scored.
How special was that goal given your scoring drought?
It’s always fun. When you’re a defender you’re not always in the spotlight, but you’re still always contributing without getting on the board. When you do score and show your worth in that way, it’s amazing. It’s a rush of adrenaline I don’t always get playing defense.
Quaker Valley allowed less than a goal per game in the playoffs. What was the key to putting up dominant performances on the back end?
We have confidence with the ball, and that helps the entire team. When we’re confident with the ball we can get it into the midfield and then up top. It starts with us to have a strong team. If we’re not confident with the ball, it weakens the midfield and everything else.
This is the third time in four years you’ve been a part of a championship team. Which one was the best?
I think they’re all great. I do think this team is special. I don’t know the last time we won the WPIAL and state title in the same season. Last year, we had just as high expectations and fell short even of the state semifinals, so I think this year’s seniors took it hard. No one said it, but I think we wanted revenge for falling short of where we aimed. We wanted to prove our potential to everybody.
What’s next for you?
This is where my soccer career ends. I plan to go to Pitt, but not for any soccer reasons. Having an undefeated playoff run, winning the state championship, it’s all picture perfect. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
5.0 years ago @ 12:00PM
5.0 years ago @ 10:33AM
KEITH BARNES
Tri-State Sports & News Service
NOV 15, 2019
5:53 PM
HERSHEY, Pa. — Quaker Valley senior twins Fritz and Dom Reiter have a give and take relationship.
Sometimes Fritz will give up the ball to Dom and he’ll take the shot. Sometimes it will be the other way around.
In the PIAA Class 2A boys soccer championship match against District 1 champion New Hope-Solebury, they did both.
Fritz set up Dom for the opening goal of the game and Dom sent Fritz loose on a breakaway for the eventual winner as Quaker Valley (24-2-0) pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Lions at Hersheypark Stadium to give the Quakers their second state championship in three years and the eighth in school history.
“To do it twice in three years, it’s so special for us to win a state championship, that’s what makes it special,” Dom said. “It’s all about raising that trophy at the end of the day, and it just feels fantastic to hold it with the rest of the team.”
Though there were quite a few players who contributed who were on the team in 2017 when it defeated Lancaster Mennonite, this team had a completely different feel than the squad that ended the school’s 17-year state title drought.
“I get asked that all the time and this one is so different and our seniors are just unbelievable leaders,” Quaker Valley coach Andrew Marshall said. “I’m so happy that they got to have this moment.”
It appeared Quaker Valley might have had that moment clinched a little bit sooner.
With 21:16 remaining in the first half, Will Dunda took a direct free kick from 30 yards and looped it deep into the box where Fritz headed it and Dom got his right foot on it to slip the ball past Lions goalkeeper Kyle Campbell for what looked to be the opening goal. But just as Dom turned around to celebrate the official made a judgment offside call and disallowed the goal.
“I’m a little biased, so I’m just going to watch the film and I promise he probably made the right call,” Dom said. “It’s just how it goes, but I was a little mad about it.”
He got his goal in the end. It just took a little longer.
After a scoreless first half, Dom got a great chance in the box with 30:11 remaining in regulation, but chipped the shot way over the right post. He didn’t miss the next one, though as, at 62:08, he beat New Hope-Solebury defender Jake Hausner down the right side, drew Campbell out and beat him to the far post to give the Quakers a 1-0 lead.
“Of course it was a perfect ball over by [Fritz] and it was right on my foot,” Dom said. “He made it so easy and a lot of the credit goes to him.”
Dom, a Pitt recruit, returned the favor a few minutes later.
Moments after Quaker Valley goalkeeper Rees Edwards made a sparkling save to maintain the one-goal lead, Dom hit Fritz with a lead pass down the right side for a mini breakaway. With Hausner trying to chase him down from behind, Fritz, just like his brother, sent a low shot to the far post past Hausner to give the Quakers a 2-0 lead with 10:27 remaining in regulation.
“What’s going through your head is that it’s pretty much over but it’s not,” Fritz, a Gettysburg recruit, said. “You’ve got to stay mentally engaged for 80 minutes.”
Quaker Valley had a lapse with 6:00 remaining when Ben Koeppen broke up the shutout bid and halved the Quakers advantage. But though the Lions pressed the attack, they couldn’t beat Edwards, who made a save as time expired to secure the victory.
“The last minute is always scary, but I had to stay on top of my game to help my team out,” Edwards said. “It felt good to end the game by having the ball, so I just chucked it.”
5.0 years ago @ 9:51AM
By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 26, 2019 | 8:34 PM
The top-seeded Quakers (19-2) advanced to the WPIAL title game for the fourth consecutive season by knocking off the two-time defending champion.
Wil Dunda got Quaker Valley Valley on the board in the fourth minute when he took a perfect pass from Rowan Kriebel and buried a shot from just beyond the 6-yard box. That lead held for the next 74 minutes nas Quaker Valley’s defense kept Shady Side in check, allowing the Indians just one shot on goal in the second half and just three in the game.
Fritz Reiter put the game away in the 79th minute when he gained control of the ball at midfield and beat Shady Side keeper Bruce David, who had came out of net to be an extra offensive attacker. Quaker Valley will meet Deer Lakes in this week’s title game at a time and date to be determined.
West Allegheny 1, Hampton 0 — In the WPIAL Class AAA boys soccer semifinals at North Allegheny, West Allegheny dominated the game statistically but was unable to shake Hampton until the 62nd minute when Caleb Miller corralled a rebound of his own penalty kick and tapped it into the open net for the game’s only goal.
West Allegheny, the defending PIAA champion, will make its third consecutive trip to the WPIAL title game.
Hampton stayed in the game despite West Allegheny controlling the pace offensively and defensively from the start. West Allegheny had 27 scoring chances to just eight for Hampton, took seven corner kicks to Hampton’s zero and had 13 shots on goal while limiting Hampton to five over 80 minutes.
No. 7 West Allegheny (14-5-1) will play No. 1 Franklin Regional (18-0-1) in the WPIAL title game.
Winchester Thurston 3, Carlynton 0 — At Moon Stadium, Winchester Thurston used a strong defensive effort as well as relentless offensive pressure to top No. 4 Carlynton in the WPIAL Class A semifinals and advance to the championship game next week at Highmark Stadium.
The top-seeded Bears (16-1) scored twice in the first half. Alex Hauskrecht scored in the 15th minute and Alessandro Memoli in the 38th minute. Winchester Thurston added a goal early in the second half when, for the second time, a Beck Buchanan corner kick led to a tally, with Lance Nicholls finishing to make it 3-0.
Carlynton (17-3) will play No. 6 Springdale in a consolation match for a berth in the PIAA playoffs, and Winchester Thurston, in its first title game since winning the crown in 2014, will play No. 2 Greensburg Central Catholic. The two section foes split the regular-season matchups, both winning by a goal.
Football
Western Beaver 13, Freedom 3 — Xander LeFebvre threw to Noah Gray for both touchdowns for Western Beaver (7-3, 4-3) in its Class 2A Midwestern Conference win against Freedom (7-3, 5-2). LeFebvre threw for 117 yards, and Gray caught seven passes for 101 yards. Garrett Paxton scored Freedom’s only points on a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter.
5.0 years ago @ 11:46AM
By: Greg Macafee
Friday, November 1, 2019 | 11:26 PM
For the past four seasons, Highmark Stadium has been a blessing and a curse for the Quaker Valley boys soccer team.
The Quakers captured a WPIAL title in 2016, but during the past two seasons they fell short. They lost to Shady Side Academy in double-overtime in 2017 and then in a shootout last season. On Friday night, it seemed to be looking bleak for the No. 1 Quakers (20-2) once again.
No. 2 Deer Lakes (16-5) had erased a one-goal halftime deficit to force overtime in the WPIAL Class AA championship. But this time around, it was the Quakers’ time to shine.
With about seven minutes remaining in the second overtime, Fritz Reiter delivered a ball over the top of the Lancers defenders to his twin brother, Dom, and the future Pitt Panther buried the ball into the back of the net to secure the WPIAL Class AA title 4-3.
“If the script was written for this game, you’d probably bet Dom would get the game-winner,” Quaker Valley coach Andrew Marshall said of his 52-goal scorer. “So, I’m so happy for him and happy for the boys. But what Coach (Dan) Yates has done at Deer Lakes in a year is pretty fantastic.”
While the teams weren’t battling in a ring, Marshall compared the title game to a heavyweight bout. Deer Lakes would strike a blow with a goal, and the Quakers would bounce back with one of their own.
The Lancers struck first as Tyler Tofil scored in the third minute of the game. From there, Deer Lakes possessed the ball and dictated how the game flowed through the first 20 minutes of play.
“We knew what they were going to do. They are a good side,” Yates said. “They have individual talent. They don’t move the ball like we do, and they don’t play like we do. So we came in with a gameplan.”
With about 13 minutes remaining in the half, Dom Reiter scored his first goal as he received the ball in the middle of the box amidst a group of Deer Lakes defenders and scored past Deer Lakes goalie Nick Braun for the equalizer.
Just before the half, Keller Chamovitz scored on a 30-yard free kick that gave the Quakers a one-goal lead and a momentum shift.
“We’ve been in those types of positions before,” Dom Reiter said of facing the early deficit. “We just acted like it was a 0-0 game, and we had to work our butts off to get back into it and that’s what we did.”
The second half was where the big blows were delivered, and they came in bunches.
The Lancers outscored the Quakers, 2-1, and controlled most of the possession. Michael Sullivan and AJ Dorman tacked on goals for the Lancers, and Rowan Kriebel tallied the third one for Quaker Valley.
But in the end, the Quakers came out on top in the biggest moment of the match.
“I think that they outplayed us for most of the game, to be fair,” Marshall said. “But in those crucial moments we stood up when we needed to, and I think that comes down to leadership and getting a little monkey off our back there.’
5.0 years ago @ 1:31PM
By: Greg Macafee
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 | 6:46 PM
Here’s a look at the 2019 WPIAL boys soccer playoffs:
Class AAAA
Favorite: Plum (15-0-2) turned in one of the best regular seasons in school history and finished unbeaten. The only blemishes on the Mustangs’ record came in 1-1 ties against Allderdice and Norwin. They have a talented group of players led by Tyler Kolankowski, who has 20 goals and 12 assists. D.D. Flowers (14 goals) and AJ Koma (11 goals) have contributed offensively, as well, while Luke Kolankowski, Tyler’s younger brother, has held down the midfield with 11 assists. Luke Gildea and Cole Kelly, along with goalkeeper Gabe Kuhn, have been stout on the defensive end. With a first-round bye, they have a nice path to the championship.
Contenders: There are plenty of challengers throughout the Class 4A bracket. Norwin finished 15-2-1, with its only losses coming against Plum, 4-2, and Class 3A No. 1 Franklin Regional, 4-0, yet received the No. 6 seed. The Knights could have a tough matchup in the quarterfinals with defending WPIAL champion Seneca Valley (13-3-1). A year after going 7-12-1, Mt. Lebanon (13-4-1) received the No. 2 seed and captured the Section 2 championship.
Don’t overlook: Fox Chapel (11-3-3) finished second in Section 1 behind Seneca Valley, but the Foxes have a solid group of seniors and could put the pieces together in the playoffs.
Prediction: Plum over Norwin
Class AAA
Favorite: No. 1 seeds aren’t favorites all the time, but when you have a team that hasn’t lost a regular-season game in almost two calendar years and has only allowed three goals, they have to be the favorite. Franklin Regional (15-0-1), the defending Class AAA champion, has recorded 13 shutouts and won every game by three goals or more.
Contenders: Belle Vernon (16-1) has arrived ahead of schedule. The Leopards start six sophomores and only have two seniors on their roster. They produced nine shutouts and captured a Section 3 championship. Moon (15-2) and Mars (16-1-1) are in the conversation, as well. The Fightin’ Planets’ only loss came against Upper St. Clair, 2-0, and they tied Knoch, 3-3, midway through the season. Moon has been led by Justin Kopay with 23 goals and eight assists.
Don’t overlook: West Allegheny (11-5-1) is the defending PIAA champion. The Indians lost a lot to graduation, but they also have enough contributors back from last year to make a run.
Prediction: Franklin Regional over Moon
Class AA
Favorite: Quaker Valley (16-2) hasn’t lost since the first week of the season. The Quakers have won 15 straight games with 10 shutouts. Senior Dom Reiter has 46 goals and 19 assists, becoming the sixth player in Quaker Valley history to record 200 career points. Coach Andrew Marshall and the Quakers have developed a winning pedigree that includes eight WPIAL titles. They came up just short last year, losing to Shady Side Academy in a shootout in the WPIAL championship.
Contenders: Class AA might be the most competitive of the four brackets. Two-time defending WPIAL champion Shady Side Academy (12-2-1) hit a rough patch down the stretch as it lost or tied three of its final five games. The Indians started on a 10-game winning streak and had a seven-game shutout streak at one point. Deer Lakes (13-4) reached the PIAA championship last year. The Lancers only lost their goalkeeper and center back and returned several key players, including a core group of juniors in Devin Murray, Mike Sullivan and Colton Spence. Charleroi (17-1) is having a season for the ages, led by three different 20-plus goal scorers. Cullin Waytovich leads the way with 48 goals and 23 assists.
Don’t overlook: Burrell (10-7) finished the regular season by winning five of its final six games, including a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Shady Side Academy.
Prediction: Quaker Valley over Deer Lakes
Class A
Favorite: As the No. 1 seed, Winchester Thurston (13-1) will be in the mix for its second title. The 2014 Class A champions only lost one game in the regular season — a 2-1 defeat against Section 2 rival Greensburg Central Catholic. The Bears recorded eight shutouts and have outscored opponents 116-8.
Contenders: Greensburg Central Catholic (11-3-1) suffered a late-season loss to Winchester Thurston after holding the No. 1 ranking for most of the season. The Centurions posted seven shutouts and allowed 16 goals. They stitched together a six-game win streak in the middle of their season and only suffered losses to Kiski School, 4-1; North Catholic, 4-1; and Winchester Thurston, 3-2. They are led by Indiana-commit Nate Ward. Riverside (13-3) won the Section 1 title and has won eight of its last nine games. Section 3 champion Carlynton (15-2) is riding high with 10 straight victories. Springdale (12-3) only lost goalkeeper Mike Zolnierczyk from a year ago, and sophomore Andrew Haus has filled in perfectly, only allowing eight goals. The Dynamos won their final six games.
Don’t overlook: Avonworth (14-3) is the defending WPIAL Class A champion still has talent to go around.
Prediction: Greensburg Central Catholic over Winchester Thurston
5.0 years ago @ 1:30PM
By: Shawn Annarelli
Friday, October 18, 2019 | 5:33 PM
History was on Quaker Valley’s side at the start of the boys soccer playoffs.
The Quakers scored 141 goals this season — the most for the program since 1996 — and Quaker Valley won a WPIAL Championship all four times it has found the net that much. They were three for four in the PIAA finals in those seasons.
No. 1 Quaker Valley knows the expectations surrounding the team are high, though captains Dom Reiter, Fritz Reiter and Tommy Guild emphasized the season should not be defined by hardware.
“Winning a championship is part of what drives us, but I think our main focus is that at the end, we can look back and be proud of the way we played,” Fritz Reiter said. “We want to leave everything on the field and be happy and proud of that.”
The Quakers’ last WPIAL title win was in 2016, and they would been crowned the last two years if not for last-minute goals by two-time champion Shady Side Academy to force overtime.
If they can avenge those losses and secure a ninth WPIAL Championship in program history, it will likely be in large part to Dom Reiter, who has 46 goals and 111 points, the second most in a single-season at Quaker Valley.
“All credit to my teammates, because without them I wouldn’t have any of those goals,” Dom Reiter said. “It’s easy being a striker on a team like this. I just happen to be up top on a team with great players who can move the ball up for me to have easy tap-ins.”
The Quakers’ overpowering offense extends to players like Fritz Reiter and sophomores Rowan Kriebel and Keller Chamovitz, who have combined for 53 goals.
The only uncertainty surrounding Quaker Valley is who will play goaltender.
Senior Rees Edwards and sophomore Zach Buhr have split time in net, and Marshall said freshman Isaac Waller would contend for playing time, too.
“It’s worked, because we have the right people buying in to support one another and working hard,” Quaker Valley coach Andrew Marshall said. “I don’t think there’s necessarily a cookie-cutter way of doing things, and this team shows support regardless of who starts and gets the goal or assist.”
The Quakers’ team-first mindset begins with the captains, Marshall said.
“Their leadership is contagious throughout every player,” Marshall said. “Every player has these moments where they are our leader, which includes guys that honestly don’t get much time on the field. If there were more games and more minutes, you’d see a lot more players getting the time they deserve.”
If the Quakers win another title, Guild said, it will be because of how close they are to each other.
“You see how much we want to win it for each other every day,” he said. “I’ve been with these people the last four years, and they’re my closest friends on and off the field, so I think I’ll be happy with whatever happens.”
5.0 years ago @ 9:22AM
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
Got a news tip? 412-263-1601
NOV 6, 2019
6:00 AM
DOM REITER
Quaker Valley
The past week: Reiter scored two goals, including the game-winner in double overtime, to lead the Quakers to a 4-3 victory against Deer Lakes in the WPIAL Class 2A championship game Nov. 1.
Check this out: Reiter’s WPIAL championship winner gave him 52 goals on the season, extending his school record. The Pitt recruit also holds the school’s single-season points record with 126, breaking the previous record of 124 set by high school All-American Brad Christof in 1996.
Now that you’ve had a few days to reflect, has the feeling of scoring the game-winning goal in the WPIAL championship game sunk in yet? Something like that, scoring an overtime goal in the WPIAL championship has always been a dream of mine. … It was kind of a shock, but it’s just set in and it’s something I’ll look back on and never get that feeling again.
You’re staying home and starting your college career at Pitt next season. Have you been keeping up with the men’s soccer team this year? Yeah, especially this season, I’ve been to probably eight or nine [games] this season. Trying to get a feel for the team and seeing how they play, talking to the players and coaches. The atmosphere around Pitt soccer is really unbelievable right now. They’re really rising up and wanting to compete against the top teams, and really doing it. So that’s fantastic.
I know you were mobbed by teammates, friends and family after the game last Friday, but did your family give your twin brother Fritz a hero’s welcome as well for his assist on your game-winning goal? Oh yeah, definitely. That pass was pinpoint right on my foot. I had the easy part of getting the finish in. He played a perfect ball right over the top to my foot. He definitely deserves all the credit for that.
How did you and your teammates celebrate the WPIAL championship? We slept over one of my friend’s houses. He has a TV in his basement, so we were able to watch the whole game, which was good in the moment to still have that feeling of excitement.
What’s one prized possession you can’t live without? My grandpa was a football player at the University of Miami and eventually the Miami Dolphins, so I have an NCAA game-used football that sits on my desk in my room. That’s something that’s really important to me. I wake up in the morning and I see it and I know how successful he was as an athlete and a human being, and I want to strive to be like that.
Did he give Fritz a ball, too, or did you guys have to fight over it? He actually also played baseball at the U, so [Fritz] got his bat.
— By Steve Rotstein
KATIE WESTON
Canon-McMillan
The past week: Weston played a key role in Canon-McMillan’s 3-2 victory against North Allegheny to win the WPIAL Class 4A volleyball championship. Weston had a team-high 25 digs as the Big Macs pulled off one of the biggest upsets in WPIAL championship history. Canon-McMillan had never been to a WPIAL final while North Allegheny was the two-time defending champion and had a 65-match winning streak.
Check this out: Weston is a 5-foot-4 senior libero and one of the WPIAL’s top players, making second-team all-WPIAL a year ago. The American Volleyball Coaches Association recently named her one of only 25 players on an all-region team that included players from five states and Washington, D.C. Weston is a four-year starter. Her brother, Cam, is a freshman baseball player at the University of Michigan and her sister, Miranda, also was a standout volleyball player at Canon-McMillan.
Did you shock the volleyball world by beating North Allegheny? Yes, we did. I think we shocked ourselves, too. I mean, we didn’t even make the playoffs the past three years and then we beat NA. That’s crazy.
Now that you’ve had time to think, is it still hard to believe? I feel like we just played as a team and really, really wanted it more than they did.
Does the average person know what a libero is? I don’t really think so. I swear, every time someone new comes to a game, they say, ‘Why do you wear a different color jersey?’
OK, then how about you explain the position? I would say it’s the defensive captain on the court, basically.
Do you like the position? I love it.
Your brother is a good baseball player. Did you ever play softball? Yes, for about 10 years.
Why did you give it up? I just love volleyball more. I wanted to focus on volleyball.
Favorite person to follow on Twitter? Any of the Kardashians.
And you freely admit that? Yes [laugh]. I just find them entertaining.
People might be surprised to know ...? My family owns a candy store named after me.
Really? What’s it called and where? Katie’s Kandy. We have three stores in Downtown Pittsburgh.
So why wasn’t it called Cam’s Kandy or Miranda’s Kandy? My dad says ‘Katie’s Kandy’ sounds better. But I think it’s because I’m the favorite [laugh].
— By Mike White
5.0 years ago @ 2:01PM
ED PHILLIPPS
Tri-State Sports & News Service
OCT 11, 2019
6:00 AM
Get ready for a history lesson, courtesy of Quaker Valley.
The Quakers set new records left and right the first week of October. Fritz Reiter became the 26th player in school history to record 100 career points. He joined teammates Franky Fernandez and brother Dom Reiter on the list, making it just the third group in school history to have three 100-point scorers on the field at the same time.
The team also registered its 100th goal of section play, marking the third time in school history that has happened. The undefeated WPIAL and PIAA champion team did it in 1996. The feat was accomplished the first time back in 1983.
A 14-0 romp against South Side Beaver Oct. 3 was the 400th section victory in the program’s history.
Post-Gazette Soccer Rankings (Oct. 11, 2019)
The men behind all of the numbers have strong ties to the school. Sewickley resident John Munizza keeps track of the historical records. Assistant coach J.J. Veshio keeps stats during the season and also handles all aspects of video. That last name is well-known to Quakers sports fans. J.J.’s father, Jerry, was the longtime football and track coach at Quaker Valley, as well as the school’s athletic director. In his final season at head football coach in 2017, he led the Quakers to WPIAL and PIAA titles.
Nowadays, J.J. is coaching and keeping tabs on the school’s soccer program. J.J. played for the Quakers and graduated in 2003. He has been on the coaching staff for 11 years.
The amount of historical resources available to the players is impressive. Want to know how good that 1996 squad was? There’s plenty of video to witness it firsthand. Midfielder Keller Chamovitz’s father, Sam, played on that team, so it makes it that much more interesting to see.
Maintaining the video library is a labor of love for Veshio. He is a health and physical education teacher at Quaker Valley, but he used to have a job in video production. He estimates that he spends at least 10 hours each week editing game film. He also puts another 40 hours into a highlight video for the end of the season. And if any players need a reel to send to colleges, they know who to see.
“I literally go to soccer, go home, start editing, then go to bed eventually,” Veshio said with a laugh. “Nobody asked me to do it. Since I played for Quaker Valley as well, I like having it and they like having it.”
It’s a good thing people are around to record it, because history always seems to be in the making at Quaker Valley (14-2, 11-0 Class 2A Section 4). Dom Reiter set a record with his 10th hat trick of the season Tuesday in a 4-2 victory against North Catholic. Franky Fernandez has 16 assists on the season and 52 for his career. He is chasing the school mark of 57 set by his close friend Landon Grant two years ago.
Quaker Valley’s record section win streak was at 43 through Tuesday. The previous streak lasted 39 games from 1998-2001, when Veshio was a player. He said he remembers walking off the field feeling dejected when that streak ended. He knows that, for the players, the well-documented history of the program is also a challenge and something to live up to, eventually resulting in those new records.
“We don’t want to put extra pressure on the kids,” said Veshio. “But they do know the history.”
Burrell
At 9-6 overall and 7-5 in Class 2A Section 2, Burrell doesn’t have the best record in the WPIAL. During a recent stretch, however, they have played as well as anyone around.
Burrell has won four in a row and five of its past six. During that run, the Bucs handed Shady Side Academy, which has played for the WPIAL championship the past three seasons, its first loss of the year.
After not putting teams away earlier this year, Burrell coach Andrew Kariotis urged his squad to finish games by putting more shots on net and upping the aggression. The Bucs have put that plan into action and are closing in on a playoff spot.
“In the second half of the season, when we get our chances we have been finding a way to get it in,” said Kariotis, who added that just once this season a team has had more possessions than Burrell.
A 14-player junior class with numerous three-year starters is rounding into form. Junior forward Jacob Guerrini leads the pack with 18 goals. Defender Ryan Wurzer and midfielders Nicholas Kariotis and Ian Smola are captains and members of that junior class as well. Another youngster, sophomore midfielder Tajean DeGore, has made an impact.
5.0 years ago @ 8:13AM
Tuesday, October 1, 2019 | 3:42 PM
Fritz Reiter
School: Quaker Valley
Sport: Soccer
Class: Senior
Claim to fame: Fritz Reiter is putting up points at a rapid pace for Quaker Valley one year after coaches moved him from defense to the attack.
A Gettysburg College commit, Reiter had five goals and seven assists in three games last week, when the Quakers outscored their opponents 29-2.
This team has a ton of scoring power. How much fun is it to play in a program with so much talent?
I look forward to soccer every fall, because I go out there and play with 10 to 20 other players at the same skill level. When you play off of them, it kind of builds the chemistry that our team has.
You’ve already surpassed your points total from last season. How have you improved as a playmaker?
I think I’ve played a lot at Quaker Valley and with my club team, so I’ve played with and against great players every year. Just another year of development helped a lot.
You are 10 away from 100 career points. What would it mean for you to get there?
It’ll mean a lot. Playing for Quaker Valley my first two years, I played defense. Scoring 100 points wasn’t even on my mind. Now that it might happen, it’d be nice to have, just as a nice little personal milestone.
Quaker Valley has some underclassmen stepping up. Who has given the team more scoring depth?
The underclassman stepping up the most scoring-wise is Rowan Kriebel. He’s able to go left, right, get assists, but there are so many people on the team doing that like Kellen Auth and Keller Chamovitz. All-around, it’s great to have them.
What makes Quaker Valley’s soccer program special?
There’s a tradition here. If you play soccer at Quaker Valley, you know day in and day out you’re going to leave everything on the field. You know for the past 20 to 30 years there have been 11 guys that did the exact same thing.
You and your twin Dom will play for different college teams next year. How will you share each other’s highlights?
Oh, I’ll definitely come down to watch him, and hopefully he’ll come to some of mine. We’ll definitely figure it out.
5.0 years ago @ 8:13AM
By Andrew Chiappazzi
Posted Sep 19, 2019 at 9:54 PM
Rowan Kriebel notched a hat trick and Fritz Reiter scored twice as Quaker Valley posted its fifth straight shutout with an 8-0 win over Freedom.
FREEDOM — Rowan Kriebel had every intention of trying out new cleats for Quaker Valley's game at Freedom Thursday night. Instead, he brought back a pair of old ones that he always liked using on the turf field at Bulldogs Stadium.
Those new cleats may never see the light of day after Kriebel scored a hat trick as part of Quaker Valley's 8-0 win over Freedom.
"I think I'm going to keep the old ones," Kriebel said with a laugh.
The Quaker Valley onslaught began 14 minutes into the game, when Tommy Guild thumped home a loose ball off a scramble from a corner kick. Franky Fernandez added a penalty kick nine minutes later and Kriebel soon followed with his first of the evening.
The Quakers added goals from Fritz Reiter and Dom Reiter to make it 5-0 at the half. Kriebel added two more in the second half while Fritz Reiter scored his second to finish off the scoring.
"I really love this turf and I've played on it a lot," said Kriebel, a sophomore forward and midfielder. "The third goal stood out for me because it was my second hat-trick for QV and that really meant a lot to me."
"Rowan is kind of quietly getting the job done," QV coach Andrew Marshall said. "Fritz and Dom have put games on their backs before, and because of that attention it opens up opportunities for other players."
Five of the Quakers last six wins have been shutouts. While Quaker Valley's defense has played well, the Quakers' ability to hold the ball and continuously generate offense has played a large factor in those wins, as well.
"I think they're very confident right now with the way they're playing and their decision making," Marshall said. "It's fun to watch. You can kind of just put them out there and let them do their thing."
Freedom and North Catholic were the last two undefeated teams in Section 4-2A besides Quaker Valley, and the Quakers outscored those opponents 11-0. Marshall and Kriebel credited the defensive play in front of goalkeeper Rees Edwards, but added that being able to possess the ball has played a major factor in Quaker Valley's success.
They also expect the second half of the schedule to be a challenge.
"When we play these teams the second time around, we always know they come out much more prepared," Marshall said. "The games are tighter and we're expecting that."
5.0 years ago @ 8:23AM
By: Joe Sager
Friday, August 23, 2019 | 8:28 PM
The reloading process continues for Quaker Valley’s boys soccer team.
Once again, the Quakers graduated a big senior class. Once again, they hope to restock their lineup and reach the WPIAL Class AA title match as they have the past three seasons.
“Quaker Valley has always been good at that. We’ve always had good players graduate, and then the freshman class comes up and we seem to get better,” Quaker Valley senior Fritz Reiter said. “Every year, the cycle keeps going. We’ve had great teams all my years here. Hopefully, we just keep getting better.”
The odds favor Quaker Valley, which lost to Shady Side Academy, 2-1, for the WPIAL title. A 2-1 setback to Deer Lakes in the PIAA quarterfinals ended the squad’s run at 19-5. However, the Quakers are determined to make another deep playoff march this fall.
“We want to keep progressing. States is definitely on our minds,” Reiter said. “But it’s preseason, and things are starting to come together and we’re just focusing on that. We can only go one step at a time.”
Coach Andrew Marshall has been impressed with his players.
“It’s been awesome with this group. It’s such a great atmosphere to be a part of,” he said. “It’s an enjoyable experience from a coaching standpoint. It certainly looks like they are enjoying themselves, minus all the hills.”
A hallmark of the program has been its depth. This season is no different.
“It’s sad to see players leave, but it’s a great opportunity for the next group to come in and leave its imprint. You see those intangibles carry on, and it’s pretty remarkable to watch,” Marshall said. “Each year, I feel like we get deeper. On our full roster, I am confident anyone can step in. In the four years I’ve been here, every player has had varsity minutes. That’s because they deserved it and earned it. It’s kind of scary how many great players there are.”
The Quakers return six starters: senior striker Franky Fernandez, senior left back Nick Kriebel, junior central defensive midfielder Brody Jones, senior central midfielder Fritz Reiter and senior center backs Tommy Guild and Dom Reiter.
“We have a very deep team. We’re going to have great subs to keep us fresh. That’s what we’ve been used to,” Fritz Reiter said. “We have some players that have progressed tremendously. We did reload, and I think we’ll be good on that front.”
Competition is intense at goalkeeper. Senior Rees Edwards is battling sophomore Zach Buhr and freshman Isaac Waller.
“I think that position has shown some great competition,” Marshall said. “It’s a big position to fill. Every team relies on a solid goalkeeper.”
Overall, Marshall likes the versatility the Quakers bring throughout the lineup.
“Each team has a little difference to it. It’s not always just the seniors or the captains. One of our identities this year will be our athleticism. We probably have the athleticism similar to some of the bigger schools,” he said. “The mentality of this group is a strength. If things are not going our way or the ball is not bouncing our way, I think this group will find a way to stay determined and persevere and get something out of each game. I am excited to see that.”
Quaker Valley went unbeaten (12-0) to claim the Section 4-AA title last year. The squad hopes it can run the table again.
“I think the section will be similar to last year. We have good teams in our section,” Fritz Reiter said. “The goal, again, is to win the section and go undefeated. I hope we can do it. I think we have a strong enough team to do it. It’s just a matter of who is committed the most.”
Joe Sager is a freelance writer.
5.0 years ago @ 8:37AM
By: Shawn Annarelli
Friday, June 28, 2019 | 6:36 PM
Dominic Reiter was in disbelief, so he called his twin brother, Fritz, to share that Pitt soccer coach Jay Vidovich offered him a spot on the team.
The shock didn’t wear off for about a week — the time it took for Dominic to commit to his dream school — but Fritz knew that would be Dominic’s choice.
“I was just really proud of him right away because he deserves it more than anyone I know,” Fritz said. “The amount of work he puts into soccer is unreal. To get an opportunity like this is awesome, and I know he’ll do well there.”
The offer was a surprise to the twins, an inseparable pair of rising seniors who helped Quaker Valley win a WPIAL championship in 2016 and a state title in ’17.
Dominic attended several Pitt ID camps and met the coaching staff, but he didn’t hear from Panthers coaches while considering schools such as Robert Morris and Bowling Green. He didn’t think Pitt was interested in him until late May when he saw Vidovich and Pitt assistant coach Rich Costanzo watching a Beadling Soccer Club scrimmage.
“Pitt always seemed out of reach to me, so this was all a little bit out of the blue,” Dominic said. “I actually didn’t even know they were there until halftime. Starting off without the pressure of knowing they were there probably helped, but then I knew I had to play hard like I always do for them to notice me.”
Dominic’s effort as Beadling’s centerback — he typically plays striker for Quaker Valley — immediately began to pay off.
Vidovich and Costanzo spoke with him after practice, gave him a card and told him to call. They toured Pitt’s campus and facilities a few days later and ended it with an offer to be a defender.
“I kind of grew up around Pitt and went to some of their games because my mom is a professor there,” Dominic said. “Just being from the area and seeing the success this coaching staff has had has brought a lot of excitement. It’s a real dream come true, and that’s why I couldn’t process it.”
Dominic did what Fritz told him to do: take a few days to think about it.
It was helpful advice from someone who also is navigating the same recruiting process, so Dominic reflected on his goals and his past.
“It’s been a dream the last 15 years just being able to play with my brother, and we know that goes both ways,” Fritz said. “Having someone right by your side to give advice really helps. We give opinions to each other straight up. We’re not sugar-coating anything for each other just like if we were on the field.”
Dominic realized he wanted to try to help Pitt win an ACC championship— maybe even a NCAA title — and be coached by Vidovich, a three-time ACC and one-time NCAA coach of the year with a national championship on his resume.
He also thought about his brother, Fritz, and friends like Franky Fernandez. They want to add more trophies and medals to their collection before graduating in 2020.
“I’ve thought about the great team we’ve still got at Quaker Valley and wanting to compete for WPIAL and state titles,” Dominic said. “I owe everything to those guys. Their caliber and how we all push each other just elevates everyone’s game. Without them, there’s no way I’d be in a position like this.”
With Dominic’s decision made, he will wait for Fritz to make his choice in the next few months.
The twins know they could be going in different directions after experiencing every practice and game together.
“I think Fritz was more excited about Pitt than me initially, and that’s how supportive we’ve been for each other,” Dominic said. “I think in practices we go the hardest against each other. The success we have now is directly a result of that and being there for each other.”
Potentially playing for different teams doesn’t mean they can’t share their experiences.
“If we’re not together, I’ll definitely come back to Pittsburgh for some games, and I’m sure he’ll do the same,” Fritz said. “We’ll come home, pass the ball around and play a few games like we always have.”
4.0 years ago @ 8:19AM
By: Greg Macafee
Monday, June 8, 2020 | 10:23 AM
Last fall, Dom Reiter led the Quaker Valley boys soccer team to WPIAL and PIAA titles, and the accolades are still coming for the Pitt-bound forward.
On Monday, six months after being named the Trib HSSN Boys Soccer Player of the Year, Reiter was named the 2019-20 Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Reiter finished with 55 goals and 24 assists as the Quakers finished 24-2, with their only two losses coming in their first three games of the year.
Quaker Valley Boys Soccer@qv_soccer
Congratulations to Dominic Reiter for being named @Gatorade PA Boys Soccer Player of the Year. This award is given to one boys' player across all classifications. While Dominic's accolades are massive, it was his positive influence on the team that makes him truly special.
Quaker Valley Boys Soccer@qv_soccer
But, to showcase his impact on the field, here are all of Dominic's goals in the 2019 WPIAL and PIAA playoffs. This includes a WPIAL championship winning goal and the opening goal in the PIAA finals victory. Congratulations, Dominic. We can't wait to see what you do next!
See Quaker Valley Boys Soccer's other Tweets
Reiter’s senior season was one for the record books and capped off an exceptional high school career.
He only scored one goal and tallied three assists as a freshman, and he scored six goals and tallied nine assists as a sophomore. During Quaker Valley’s run to a WPIAL championship appearance in 2018-19, Reiter had a breakout year with 23 goals and 17 assists.
In his four-year career, Reiter was a two-time state champion, a two-time WPIAL champion, a four-time section champion and set single-season school records for goals, points and hat tricks. He finished his high school career with 85 goals and 53 assists.
Not only was Reiter consistent, but he shined on the biggest stages as a senior. Against Deer Lakes in the WPIAL championship, Reiter scored twice, including the winning goal in overtime.
Replying to @greg_macafee and 5 others
Imma just leave this here https://tribhssn.triblive.com/broadcast/70646/wpial-boys-soccer-playoffs-deer-lakes-vs-quaker-valley-november-01-2019-video/ …
WPIAL Boys Soccer Playoffs - Deer Lakes vs Quaker Valley
tribhssn.triblive.com
Here is the 2OT Golden Goal from QV v DL
He also scored once and had an assist in the PIAA championship game.
5.0 years ago @ 8:37PM
By: Greg Macafee
Saturday, November 30, 2019 | 4:00 PM
Not many people can say they had the type of senior year that Quaker Valley forward Dom Reiter did.
Reiter scored 55 goals, tallied 24 assists and led the Quakers to WPIAL and PIAA Class AA titles by scoring at least one goal in every postseason game but one.
Actually, he was held without a goal only twice all season. But in both games, a 3-1 loss to West Allegheny and a 7-0 win over Freeport, the talented forward helped his team get on the board by notching at least one assist.
He produced two five-goal games, three four-goal games and notched six hat tricks. But one of his biggest games came in the WPIAL Class AA finals against Deer Lakes.
The future Pitt Panther scored two goals to will the Quakers to their first title since 2016. He scored his first with 13 minutes left in the first half, then with the game on the line, Reiter notched his 52nd goal of the season, which was assisted by his twin brother Fritz, to give the Quakers the title.
After that, the Quakers cruised through the state playoffs by outscoring opponents 12-4, and Reiter scored in every game, including the go-ahead goal in their state championship victory over New Hope-Solebury.
Do you think your senior season could have gone any better?
I don’t think so. We did everything we set out to do. We played how we wanted to, and more importantly, in the final game, I assisted Fritz and he assisted me. That was really important to me. I really don’t think it could’ve gone any better. It was great to go out like that.
How did it feel to hoist the state title to conclude your high school soccer career?
I would describe it as a relief because going into the season, we had the goal of a state title, and we didn’t talk about it much as a team, but it was always there in the back of our mind because that’s what you want. So, to be able to lift it, it was kind of joy, relief and being able to enjoy it with friends and family. It was unbelievable.
WPIAL gold or Hershey’s chocolate?
I think I’d go with Hershey’s chocolate. Being the best team in the state, competing against the best team, it’s always great.
Did you guys have a feeling that you’d have this much success?
I thought as a team, if we all played to our potential, we’d be able to. I thought we were a skilled and talented team. Then going into the season and seeing how focused and determined everyone was every single practice, we started thinking that we could.
What do you think the major factor was to your success?
That determination, the chemistry of the team and I think also every player came in to practice looking at it as an opportunity to improve. I think that is really important for any team’s success because starting off the season well is one thing, but improving throughout the season is the most important part.
What was your favorite goal from this season?
I would say the WPIAL final goal, the overtime goal. That’s something, growing up, watching Quaker Valley soccer, you kind of dream about. I’ve been involved with the program since I was like 7 or 8, so to be able to score a WPIAL final goal in overtime was an extraordinary feeling.
Was there one defender or team that sticks above the rest for you?
I would say the Deer Lakes defenders, Colton Spence and Ryan Butler, they did a great job. Then New Hope had Will Albano, who was very talented and he kept me in check for a good part of the game.
What stuck out about Pitt for you?
Growing up in Pittsburgh, around Oakland, I’ve always been down around there, so even if I wasn’t going to play soccer, it was a school I was always looking at. But the program there has turned around so quickly and they are having a lot more success now. When I got the offer, it wasn’t something I wasn’t going to turn down.
How excited are you to play in front of a hometown crowd?
I can’t really even put it into words. That’s another dream come true, playing at Pitt.
How cool was it to share these experiences with your brother?
Not many people get to play alongside one of their brothers, let alone playing alongside your twin. These last four years have been unbelievable, and he and I have the best chemistry of any two players, I’d say. We know exactly what the other one is gonna do. Then being able to go out the way we did, him assisting me, me assisting him, I’d want it no other way.
Who eats more at Thanksgiving dinner?
Umm, I’d have to say Fritz eats a little bit more.
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?
Mashed potatoes. Turkey is a close second though.
Doing any Black Friday shopping?
I actually went out around midnight and got some stuff from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Trib HSSN all-stars
Fletcher Amos, West Allegheny, sr. F: Another all-state and all-WPIAL selection, Amos tallied 20 goals and 11 assists for the Indians this season and finished his career as West Allegheny’s all-time assist leader.
Anthony DiFalco, Franklin Regional, so., F: Just a sophomore, DiFalco led the offensive attack of a talented Franklin-Regional squad all the way to the PIAA Class AAA semifinals. He was also named the All-WPIAL Class AAA Player of the Year.
Chad Eldridge, South Fayette, jr., D: A Class AAA All-WPIAL selection and an all-state selection, the junior defender/forward played a big role for South Fayette during the 2019 season.
Joey Fonagy, Canon-McMillan, jr., F: Fonagy came up big for the Big Macs this year and was one of three juniors selected for the Class AAAA All-WPIAL team. He also scored Canon-Mac’s game winner in the WPIAL final.
Connor Hudson, Franklin Regional, sr., MF: An all-WPIAL and all-state selection, he was one of the key pieces of a Franklin-Regional defense that only allowed eight goals all year and produced 17 shutouts.
Justin Kopay, Moon, Sr., MF: An all-state and All-WPIAL selection, Kopay scored 23 goals and notched nine assists in his senior season as Moon went 16-3 and captured the Section 2-AAA crown.
Luke Rupert, Seneca Valley, sr. F: Rupert earned All-WPIAL Class AAAA Co-Player of the Year honors, was an all-state selection and helped Seneca Valley reach the semifinals of the WPIAL tournament.
Austin Rocke, Mars, sr., MF: A key contributor to Mars’ 17-2-1 season, Rocke was an all-WPIAL and all-state selection for the Fightin’ Planets and helped them reach the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals.
Michael Sullivan, Deer Lakes, jr., F: He scored 18 goals, tallied 18 assists, was an all-WPIAL selection and earned Section 2-AA player of the year honors while scoring two game winners during Deer Lakes’ postseason run.
Nate Ward, Greensburg Central Catholic, sr., MF: An Indiana commit, Ward stepped up in big moments for GCC this season. He scored the game winner in the WPIAL championship game and also added another goal in a PIAA quarterfinal win over Springdale. He earned all-WPIAL honors as well.
Cullin Woytovich, Charleroi, sr., F: The Cougars turned in an 18-2 record and Woytovich was a big part of that. The senior forward scored 48 goals and tallied 23 assists. An all-WPIAL and all-state player
5.0 years ago @ 10:51AM
When Quaker Valley hoisted the PIAA championship trophy after winning the Class 2A tournament, the players did something their soccer forefathers had done eight times previously. For Keller Chamovitz, it was something his actual father had done.
This year’s team had a unique tie to the past and one of the greatest teams in WPIAL history. Back in 1996, the Quakers went undefeated while collecting WPIAL and state titles. There were several memorable players from that squad, including Sam Chamovitz. His team went 26-0 with 21 shutouts and Chamovitz was named all-WPIAL and all-state. He went on to play at Bucknell and Penn, the latter of which is coincidentally also dubbed the Quakers.
For the family’s encore, there is Keller. He looped in a beauty of a shot off a 30-yard free kick to help this year’s Quakers win the WPIAL championship against Deer Lakes. Completing the journey to a state championship is something Keller has dreamed of for a long time.
“It’s been surreal, to be completely honest,” he said. “I knew that my dad had won a state final and I wanted to do the same. I’ve seen all the pictures and news articles about the 1996 team.”
The desire to follow his father’s footsteps is uniquely Keller’s. And his path to Quaker Valley was unlike anyone else’s.
Chamovitz was born in Boston, but spent most of his young life, 11 years, in Tokyo, where his father still works in finance. The two eventually formed a bond over soccer.
“He never forced soccer on me, but I always liked it more than the other sports,” said Chamovitz. “I grew up playing with him and he taught me a lot. I didn’t really know how important it was, what that team did, until freshman year when I moved here. That's when I got zoned in and ready.”
Chamovitz played for club teams and youth leagues in Tokyo, which had its own style of play. There, he learned and honed his dribbling and technique, as well as how to play physically. Upon returning to the States, he rounded out his style by learning the concepts of the team game.
“Both of them combined have made me a better player,” said Chamovitz.
Sam Chamovitz has flown in on multiple occasions to watch his son play. He even took the 13-hour flight home just to watch the state final before he had to return to Tokyo.
Keller lives with his grandparents in the house that Sam grew up in. Some of Sam’s trophies and medals still adorn the walls and shelves. Now, Keller has a growing collection of his own. And he wants to add to it.
“I want to three-peat in WPIALs,” said Chamovitz.