Deer Lakes setting bar high: It’s title or bust
Putting together one of the best seasons in school history while advancing to the WPIAL title match in 2019 was just the beginning for Deer Lakes.
“We have to progress,” said Lancers coach Dan Yates. “We’ve got to win the WPIAL or it’s a failure this year.”
Yates is nothing but succinct and to the point when it comes to his squad’s goals for this year: It’s WPIAL title or bust. That may seem like quite a lofty expectation, but for a team that came within a hair of gold last year and is bringing back three of the best players in the district, it’s a natural mindset. It’s also why the Lancers are the PostGazette’s top- ranked team in Class 2A.
Deer Lakes went 17- 6 last year and won 10 of its last 11 before taking on Quaker Valley for the district championship. The Quakers won in double overtime at Highmark Stadium. That match served two purposes for Deer Lakes. It showed that it is one of the best teams in the area and that a championship was within its grasp.
“We are a lot hungrier this year,” said Yates. “We have got to go back and win it this year.”
The trio of Michael Sullivan, Devin Murray and Colton Spence gives Deer Lakes goal- scoring options and the ability to control the ball and flow of the game for long periods of time.
“We don’t want to take our foot off the gas for a single second,” said Yates.
That could prove to be beneficial and take the pressure off of a defense that features several new faces. Behind that line, the Lancers have a top keeper in Nick Braun. Although only a sophomore, Braun proved himself time and again during Deer Lakes’ run last year and the youngster is certainly battle tested.
Sullivan, Murray and Spence also serve as the leaders of the group. Murray led the Lancers with 16 goals in the regular season. Each of them bring not only skill, but leadership.
“They are the spine of the team,” said Yates. “They are holding people accountable and building the camaraderie of the group.”
In the era of COVID- 19, being responsible has taken on a new meaning for athletes. Yates said he is especially proud of how his players have kept their focus and discipline by not venturing far from home or in large groups, despite being high school kids who naturally would prefer to socialize.
“I’m really proud of what they are doing and how accountable they are,” said Yates. “They are not wavering from it. They’ve got friends across the district and other districts, so to be disciplined as a group, it’s a great attitude to have.”
Either Quaker Valley or Shady Side Academy has won the 2A championship each of the past four seasons. Those two programs are expected to be in contention once again. The Quakers have to replace Player of the Year Dom Reiter and his twin brother, Fritz, however the deep Quaker Valley program always seems to reload. They will attempt to do so under first- year coach J. J. Veshio, who won WPIAL and PIAA titles as a Quaker Valley player.
Shady Side Academy is ranked No. 2 thanks in part to the return of Sam Farner and Zach Conti.
Class 4A
What will Joey Fonagy and Canon- McMillan do for an encore? It will be tough to top last season, when Fonagy, who put in 25 goals during the regular season, scored a thrilling golden goal to give the Big Macs the WPIAL title. They will begin this year where they left off, as the topranked team in the classification. … Fox Chapel’s Eli Yofan will again help to keep the Foxes in the hunt. … Butler has one of the top players in the class in Landon Mohney, but is there enough around him to keep up with Fox Chapel, North Allegheny and Seneca Valley in Section 1? In Section 2, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair could challenge the Big Macs.
Class 3A
Franklin Regional begins the season atop the class. No, this isn’t a reprint of last year. The Panthers have just been that dominant lately. With the return of perhaps the best player in the area, 34- goal scorer Anthony DiFalco, a junior, the Panthers will be tough to beat once again. … Plum was a surprise hit last year, reeling off a 16- 1- 2 record before falling to CanonMcMillan in the 4A playoffs. The Mustangs dropped down to 3A this year and with the return of D. D. Flowers, the second- ranked Mustangs have blossomed into a contender. … He may have the Queen City in his name, but
Elijah Cincinatti, who netted 37 goals last regular season, could make Trinity the kings of Washington County.
Class 1A
Sewickley Academy was a young team that went 8- 8- 1 and bowed out in the first round of the playoffs, but the Panthers return a much more experienced squad that holds the top spot in the classification. … Defending champion Greensburg Central Catholic has Carlo Denis, but the Centurions will need to find additional contributions after the graduation of all- area player Nate Ward. Denis netted 18 goals last regular season. … Seton LaSalle has T. J. Cherry atop the roster and is looking to make another run, while Winchester Thurston, last year’s runnerup, will need to reload.