O-R Athlete of the Week: Gavin Benson, Waynesburg
Name: Gavin Benson
School: Waynesburg
Sport: Soccer
Year: Sophomore
Benson’ week: The forward scored four goals – one below his career best – to help Waynesburg rally from a two-goal deficit and defeat Obama Academy, 6-5, in overtime in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA soccer playoffs Saturday at South Park.
The victory snapped a two-match losing streak for the Raiders, who raised their record to 12-6 and advanced them into the quarterfinals for the second season inn a row.
“It was a crazy first round. Going into that game, we didn’t think it was going end up with 11 goals,” said Benson. “I thought we were well-prepared as a team and that’s why we won the game. I just wanted to help the team get past the first round.”
Benson scored a goal in the first half as the Raiders trailed 3-2, then added two more in the second half. He sent the game-winner home at the 2:30 mark of the first overtime.
“His confidence was probably the biggest reason he puts the ball in the back of the net,” said Waynesburg head coach Matt Blair. “Even when we were down 3-2, he was cheering everyone on.”
Waynesburg got off to a 1-3 start but Benson’s team-high 25 goals helped Waynesburg win 11 of the last 14.
Benson scored five goals against McGuffey in a regular season match last season and felt the offense was going to be strong this season.
“Based on last year, we had most of our offense back,” Benson said. “Our chemistry was better and I thought we could be a threat up top.”
A thoughtful gesture: Benson has a routine he goes through before each match in honor of a 9-year-old he met.
“I write a girl’s name who is connected to my club team on the tape around my wrist,” he said. “She has brain cancer. She is a family friend of one of my academy coaches. I met her at a Riverhounds game and we were talking before the game.”
Benson has played two years for the Riverhounds academy team. He played for Victory Express before that.
Compiled by Joe Tuscano