Speedy Mastrangelo twins choose Saint Francis
Nicco Mastrangelo celebrates after scoring his second goal, staking Peters Township to a 2-0 lead by halftime against Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL Class AAA boys’ soccer championship game.
Mario Mastrangelo (No. 11) celebrates after scoring a goal during Peters Township’s 5-1 victory against Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL Class AAA boys’ soccer championship game.
Ask most boys soccer coaches in the WPIAL’s Class AAA what they are thankful for this year, and they will probably tell you it’s the graduation of Peters Township strikers Mario and Nicco Mastrangelo.
Who can blame them? The duo became the most dominant players on the pitch the past two seasons, leading the Indians to the PIAA Class AAA title last fall, two WPIAL titles and a combined 40-6-2 record since 2012.
Mario scored 25 goals with 14 assists in 2014, and Nicco added 23 goals and 16 assists. They used their speed, athleticism and scoring prowess to frustrate opposing defenders, while developing into two-way forwards to help one of the state’s best defensive units that allowed only six goals in 24 games last fall.
Their departure might be relief for WPIAL opponents, but it’s a major boost for one school in the NCAA Division I’s Northeast Conference.
The Mastrangelo brothers will sign letters of intent next week to continue their athletic and academic careers at Saint Francis University in Loretto. They chose the Red Flash over scholarship offers from Pitt and recent interest from Penn State.
“(Scholarship) money definitely had a factor in it, but we went to their camp and I liked the players there,” Nicco Mastrangelo said. “We want to go there and win some trophies.”
It is not just pure skill that separates the brothers from the rest. Their intensity and passion for the sport drove them to succeed. Mario, a righty, finished his high school career with 62 goals and Nicco, a lefty, had 58.
The two could have chosen to separate following their high school careers, but they could not pass up the opportunity to continue the chemistry they’ve built. They even chose to room together at Saint Francis.
“He’s played with me my whole life,” Nicco said. “It just felt natural.”
Though many coaches shook their head in amazement when one of them scored a timely, highlight-reel goal, and often celebrated in grand fashion; Peters Township head coach Bob Dyer loved every aspect of their play, including the hustle on the defensive end that is rare for prolific forwards in high school soccer.
“Their athleticism is some of the best we’ve seen in high school soccer; their speed and size is fantastic,” Dyer said. “You couple that with a drive to be the best and win for their team, it’s amazing. They are a great get for Saint Francis. I think they’ll do very, very well there, but I think they could have played anywhere in Division I and done well.”
Their love of soccer began at an early age, but it spiked during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. After watching the U.S. National Team, they constantly watched the sport, analyzing how professional players placed passes to teammates and how to handle certain situations. At 12 years old, the two began playing cup soccer, where they honed their skills against the area’s best.
After their sophomore season, which ended with the Indians losing in the first round of the state playoffs, the Mastrangelos spent six days a week playing pick-up during the summer. It led to a breakout junior season and a two-year run that will go down as one of the best in Peters Township history.
With Division I scholarships in hand, as well as state and WPIAL titles, the brothers are ready for the next challenge.
“It couldn’t have ended better. I loved the group of guys we were with,” Mario Mastrangelo said of his high school career. “We loved playing together. I’m very excited. I want to see what the future holds. We can do something great at Saint Francis.”
Babirad picks W&J
Alex Babirad, a 6-3 wide receiver from Fort Cherry, will continued his athletic and academic careers at Washington & Jefferson next fall.
It’s the same school his father Chris attended. Chris Babirad is thought of as one of the greatest football players in the program’s history. He led the Presidents to the NCAA Division III national championship game in 1992.
Alex Babirad picked W&J over Waynesburg and will major in business.
“They have a winning history and they made me feel like part of the family,” said Babirad. “I felt really comfortable.”
Babirad is a multi-sport athlete at Fort Cherry, winning 13 varsity letters.
Stegenga to W&J
Chartiers-Houston senior lineman Tyler Stegenga will continue his athletic and academic career at Washington & Jefferson.
Stegenga was selected a team captain on the Bucs’ football team last fall and was a three-year starter on both sides of the ball for Chartiers-Houston.
He was named to the WPIAL Class A Black Hills All-Conference team the past two seasons and was selected to play in the BeeGraphix All-Star Football Game this June.
C-M receives grant
The United States Tennis Association announced last week that it has awarded the Canon-McMillan School District with a $10,000 grant through its USTA Facility Assistance Program.
The grant will be used to support the reconstruction of four existing tennis courts. In addition, grant recipients receive technical assistance.