Sep 11, 2014 4 min read

It says sophomore next to Alec Belcastro’s name on the Trinity High School boys soccer team’s roster, but the speedy, short-statured midfielder displayed the field vision and offensive presence of a senior Thursday night.

Leading the Hillers in assists last season and starting every game can have that effect.

Belcastro scored two goals, including the game-winner in the 68th minute, as Trinity defeated McGuffey, 2-1, in a Section 6-AA match at Hiller Stadium.

With the game tied 1-1 and the Highlanders controlling momentum, Belcastro accepted a pass from junior forward Austin Armstrong and split two defenders. He found himself in open field and fired a shot from 15 yards out that beat McGuffey senior goalkeeper Eben King at the far post for the 2-1 lead.

“My confidence keeps building. I’ve learned how to play more physical because I’ve always been a smaller kid,” Belcastro said. “I’m using my body more and that helps me find space.”

Trinity (3-0, 4-1) walked away with the section win, but it did not come easily. McGuffey was dominated in time of possession during the first half, but a relentless approach on offense paid off early in the second half for the Highlanders.

A lob pass toward the Hillers’ goal went off the crossbar 13 minutes into the second half and bounced right to junior forward Nate Stout. He fired the loose ball past Trinity junior goalkeeper Ben Johnson to tie the score at 1-1. Johnson made six saves to help the Hillers to victory.

“We’re a work in progress. Everyone expected us to be the same team because we won the section the past two years, but we lost a lot, especially on the back end,” McGuffey head coach Jim Kita said. “We gave up two bad goals and you can’t let those up against a good team.”

The Highlanders (2-2, 3-4) entered the game with one of the top scoring players in the WPIAL. Junior Aaron Harris scored eight goals in three games last week and the Hillers took notice. Harris was shadowed throughout the game and each time he corralled a pass or loose ball, a Trinity defender collapsed on him – giving him little room to create a shot or find an open teammate.

Trinity head coach Ryan Julian had the perfect answer to counter Harris’ scoring touch. He moved senior Preston Kulla, an all-section midfielder last season, back and had him blanket Harris. The strategy worked. Harris had two shots on goal but was held scoreless.

“I like man-marking a guy like that,” Kulla said. “Fans aren’t screaming my name, but without the work we put in the back, we just aren’t going to win.”

The combination of tough defensive play and Belcastro’s offensive touch sent the Hillers to victory. Belcastro broke the scoreless tie in the 11th minute when Kulla grabbed a loose ball and chipped a pass to Belcastro in front of the net.

Belcastro dribbled around a defender and fired a shot off past King for the 1-0 lead. He has five goals this season. It was one of several chances the sophomore had during the first half. A high shot less than three minutes later went off King’s fingertips and his shot on a free kick went off the cross bar and behind the net in the 19th minute.

“We’re ranked fifth in Class AA right now, but we expect to be better,” Julian said. “As a program, it’s been almost 20 years since Trinity has really excelled in soccer. We have to learn how to win and this is huge for us. The kids understand they have the right to be on the field.”

The balance of power could be shifting in WPIAL Class AA. McGuffey, which reached the quarterfinals last season, has lost three straight, while the victory is Trinity’s fourth in a row.

“Our junior varsity program is feeding into varsity nicely,” Julian said. “We have a specific plan so we aren’t surprised this is happening for us. The players on this team have the right mentality to get it done and we have to keep improving.”