O-R Athlete of the Week: Anthony Maiello, Peters Township
Name: Anthony Maiello
School: Peters Township
Class: Junior
Sports: Football/soccer
Maiello’s week: The two-sport athlete kicked a field goal and made four extra points in the Indians’ 31-28 victory over Bethel Park in the regular-season finale Friday and had the game-winning goal in Peters Township’s 2-1 triumph over Seneca Valley in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 4A soccer playoffs at Confluence Financial Partners Stadium the next day.
The Indians trailed Seneca Valley in the first five minutes of Saturday’s match before Jeven Kelly tied the score at 1-1, which held until Maiello scored with 11 minutes left in the second half.
Alex Parise’s cross from just outside the box deflected off the right leg of the Seneca Valley goalkeeper and to the feet of the right-footed junior, who took a touch and tapped in the ball behind the keeper for the game-winning goal.
“It was a pretty defensive style of game,” Maiello said. “Normally, I play left wing, but I move around a lot, depending on the formation we are in. Alex (Parise) had a nice cross, and I was fortunate to have the ball on my foot in the right place at the right time. In the playoffs, you are going to need to score goals like that.”
Despite trailing early in the match, Maiello said he and his teammates weren’t frazzled, which has been modus operandi all season.
“Our teammates are super close with each other,” Maiello said. “We don’t get upset with each other and start screaming during games. We are all good friends and hang out when we are not playing or practicing.”
First year: Maiello is definitely no stranger to soccer, as he started playing at three, but this season was his first on the high school team.
“I was playing for Beadling, and had been since second grade, which didn’t allow me to play on the high school team,” Maiello said. “I changed teams to the Riverhounds Academy this past summer, and that allowed me to play for my high school team.
“The nice thing about the club teams like Beadling SC and the Riverhounds Academy, is they help you get looks from college coaches. I went to a showcase with Beadling SC last year called ‘MLS NEXT Flex’ in Maryland, and there were more than 400 college coaches there.”
Maiello is still weighing his options when it comes to playing at the collegiate level. He is just as focused on academics.
Not afraid of contact: Kickers on the football team aren’t appreciated much, but Maiello has proven he can make a tackle if needed on the gridiron.
“I made a tackle this year against Baldwin,” Maiello said. “I also had one last year against Fox Chapel. It is awesome to play for both teams and have the success we do.”
Compiled by Jonathan Guth