‘Unsung hero’ Reynolds is vocal leader for Bentworth
Mark Marietta
Bentworth center back Noah Reynolds isn’t afraid to be vocal on field and it is always for a positive reason.
His voice is easy to pick out over the crowd as he’s helping out his teammates on the field.
He often yells “Time, time, time” to let the forwards know they have space to work with and regularly encourages his teammates when they make a good pass or win a 50-50 ball.
It’s why Bentworth boys soccer coach Nick Malarbi made him the team’s speaking captain this season.
“He’s my unsung hero,” Malarbi said. “Noah is one of the best kids and will go out and encourage every single teammate. If you had a team of Noahs no one would ever fight. He’s genuinely one of the nicest kids you’ll ever meet.
“When I pick a speaking captain I want it to be someone that represents me and with Noah that’s a no-brainer.”
Reynolds and his Bearcats teammates take on District 10 champion Mercyhurst Prep in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals at noon Saturday at Neshannock.
This is the third year in a row that the Bearcats will play the Lakers in the state playoffs.
When they take the field, Reynolds will be ready to resume his vocal leadership role.
“Part of that is because of the position I play at center back, I can see the entire field, which means I have the ability to tell people when they have time and which way they can turn,” Reynolds said. “I can see different passes they can make that they may not necessarily be able to see, because they are focused on the ball.”
The other part of his vocal role ties directly to his personality.
“I’m the type of person that likes to be positive no matter what happens,” Reynolds said. “Being vocal and helping people get ready for the next thing to happen and not get stuck on the mess ups is very much part of what I like to do.”
Reynolds’ teammates appreciate what he brings to the team as a leader.
“He’s like a hype man for us,” Bentworth midfielder Billy Moyer said. “It’s good to have people like that in your team. It keeps up the vibes. If you’re having a bad game, he’s there to encourage you every time, which feels great.”
Reynolds’ voice is not the only reason he stands out on a soccer field and it also goes beyond the blonde ponytail that splits the 1 and the 2 on the back of his jersey.
He’s unique because he’s shorter than a typical center back. The majority of central defenders are 6-foot or taller, but Reynolds makes up for his lack of height with speed and smarts.
Reynolds has played the position for eight years, so over time he’s mastered how to properly anticipate situations in the defensive half and rarely loses a race to a loose ball.
“I’ve learned to work around the height difference I’m usually going up against,” Reynolds said. “Since I’m shorter, I have a lower center of gravity, so I’m able to turn around them easier. I’m also usually quicker to accelerate, which means I can get to the ball faster if it gets by me or to intercept it.”
Reynolds is part of a senior class along with Moyer, Dillan Colbert, Leo Schrader, Cameron Butler, Charles Nuttall, Caden Hackinson, Caleb Faryna, Cameron Rice, Austin Hollier, Paxton Thomas and Jaden Zeng that has an 87-5 record with 59 shutouts, four WPIAL titles, one state title and the potential to win another. In that time Bentworth has scored 585 goals and has allowed only 43.
Malarbi is disappointed that none of his seniors were named to the All-WPIAL team this year.
“I get upset about it, but they are able to let it go,” Malarbi said. “I don’t know how they let it go, but I’m glad people are seeing what these guys do and how hard they work.”
Winning four district titles in a row and a state championship eases the sting of not getting individual accolades.
“I’ve had the privilege of being a starter for three of those four years,” Reynolds said. “The fact that we’ve been able to push through after losing some starters each year with graduating classes and still being able to play the level we have to win four WPIAL titles is incredible.”