The No. 1 high school soccer team in Pennsylvania last year closely resembles the top-ranked team in the WPIAL this year.
In fact, they're almost identical.
Upper St. Clair returns its state championship team nearly intact, making the Panthers a clear No. 1 in the WPIAL Class AAA in the 2004 Tribune-Review preseason boys soccer poll.
"On paper, they are by far above everybody else," said coach Mark Perry of WPIAL Class AAA No. 4 Fox Chapel. "If they play to their capabilities, they are going to be tough to beat."
The other preseason top-ranked teams are two former Section 3-AA rivals -- Class AA Thomas Jefferson and Class A Quaker Valley, which dropped down as part of the 2004-06 realignment.
Upper St. Clair plays Linsly (W.Va.) School on Friday in the USC Kickoff Classic in the 2004 opener.
Upper St. Clair returns nine starters -- and 17 seniors -- from last year's 22-4-1 team. The Panthers are ranked No. 42 in the nation by StudentSportsSoccer, trailing only No. 9 West Chester Henderson and No. 29 Council Rock North among Pennsylvania teams.
"We're optimistic, but we're still grounded," senior stopper Mitch Minerd said.
Four of the returning senior starters netted all-WPIAL honors last year, sweeper Cam Griffin, midfielder Scott Dillie, forward Andy Machi and Minerd.
Griffin, one of the top sweepers in the state, was a Tribune-Review Elite 11 selection, and Machi scored a team-high 18 goals, capped by the game-winner in the 1-0 victory over West Chester East in the PIAA finals.
The other returning starters include goalkeeper Andrew Baldasare, who posted 18 shutouts, and senior forward Brett Fackenthal, one of the heroes of last year's unexpected PIAA playoff surge.
"Our goal is to win every game," Griffin said. "But we have achieved nothing this year."
For all of its accomplishments last season, Upper St. Clair doesn't have to look far to find a suitable encore. Last year, the Panthers failed to win either their section, finishing behind Peters Township, or the WPIAL title, losing to Fox Chapel in the semifinals.
With a lineup last year dominated by underclassmen, Upper St. Clair was expected to peak this season. But the Panthers rolled through the state playoffs to become only the fourth WPIAL team to win the big-school PIAA title since 1973.
"Last year was a great feeling and we want it again," Griffin said.
But it won't be easy. Two of USC's Section 5-AAA foes are ranked in the top five, No. 3 Peters Township and No. 5 Chartiers Valley. The Panthers also must negotiate a non-section schedule that includes Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Class AA No. 3 South Park and an October tournament at Cumberland Valley.
"In order to do anything this year, they have to work even harder," coach Uwe Schneider said.
The Panthers three weeks ago won the team tournament at the Gettysburg College camp. In a relatively down year in Class AAA soccer, they are the overwhelming favorite.
"The only team that was a contender last year that is better this year is St. Clair," Perry said.
2004 Boys Soccer Rankings
Class AAA
1. Upper St. Clair22-4-1
2. Hampton13-9-1
3. Peters Township21-3-0
4. Fox Chapel21-1-0
5. Chartiers Valley13-5-1
Class AA
1. Thomas Jefferson19-9-0
2. Moon21-2-3
3. South Park22-3-0
4. Deer Lakes15-4-3
5. Indiana12-6-0
Class A
1. Quaker Valley12-8-2
2. Sewickley Academy12-10-2
3. Shady Side Academy10-6-2
4. Greensburg C.C.22-2-0
5. Trinity Christian21-4-0
City League
Allderdice14-5
Schenley8-10
Brashear 11-8
| Players to watch |
Evan Browne, Sr., F, Thomas Jefferson
Jedd Cordisco, Sr., F, Hampton
Scott Dillie, Sr., MF, Upper St. Clair
Jeff Farrell, Sr., F, Greensburg C.C.
Adam Gazda, Sr., MF, Chartiers Valley
Cam Griffin, Sr., D, Upper St. Clair
Pat McAfee, Sr., F, Plum
John Morihlatko, Sr., F, Moon
E.J. McCormick, Sr., F, Fox Chapel
Chris Wilcox, Sr., F, Peters Township
