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Valley View’s Aidan Smola controls the ball while defended by Pittston Area’s Jacob Ivey during a soccer match in Peckville on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)
Valley View’s Jacob Bekele controls the ball while defended by Pittston Area’s Brayden Shotwell during a soccer match in Peckville on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)
Pittston Area’s Gavin Wolfe moves the ball during a soccer match at Valley View on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)
Valley View’s Aidan Smola controls the ball while defended by Pittston Area’s Jacob Ivey during a soccer match in Peckville on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)
PECKVILLE — Aiden Smola’s ninth-minute goal and Andrew Burman’s dagger in the final seconds powered No. 4 Valley View to a 2-0 District 2 Class 3A boys soccer semifinal victory over No. 5 Pittston Area on Saturday.
“They’ve learned so much about the game in this past season,” Valley View coach Shane Langan said. “Now they’re making decisions and communicating those decisions to their teammates, allowing them to be successful.
“The sky is the limit, if they continue to play that way.”
Cougars goalkeeper Pat Sherman logged his first save in the second minute. Pittston forward Sadiki Murindabangabo penetrated the defense and sent a low shot to the far post, but Sherman dove to protect his net.
A few minutes later, Valley View mounted a counterattack, emanating from its back line.
Smola received a pass near the left sideline with a lunge that barely kept the ball in bounds, sending a long touch downfield. The senior forward sprinted to recollect his possession, beat an oncoming defender and earn a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper.
He tucked the ball inside the near post and put Valley View on top, 1-0, with 31:22 remaining in the first half.
“Aidan’s a basketball player. First and foremost, that’s his sport,” Langan said. “That’s not just a soccer play; that’s an athletic play. That’s a kid (with) thousands of fast breaks in his basketball career — it’s just on a little bit bigger field and using your feet.”
Despite a handful of dangerous offensive chances for the Cougars, Pittston goalkeeper Lonnie Maldonado protected the net through the rest of the half.
Pittston seized momentum in the second half, ripping shots, winning corner kicks and producing breakaway opportunities.
Through each dangerous scenario, Sherman remained in control of his box. The Cougars senior held strong, even when Pittston pulled its goalkeeper out of the net and sent him to the midfield for a last-ditch offensive blitz in the waning minutes.
“Pittston didn’t let off the gas. Tip of the cap to them and their coach. Their boys played incredibly,” Langan said. “Hats off to Sherman. He was fantastic for us.”
Sherman is not a natural goalkeeper. Originally a field player, he made the switch when Valley View was forced to hold an open competition for the job.
“He had a lot to learn as far as taking control of situations (and) 50-50 balls, whether they’re on set pieces or just balls played into the box,” Langan said. “As the season has gone on, he’s gotten more comfortable in that regard. He’s starting to get the experience he needs again.”
Sherman finished the game with 10 saves, earning the playoff clean sheet.
Valley View’s Andrew Burman iced the game with 14 seconds, taking control of a loose ball and shooting into Pittston’s empty net.
The Cougars advance to the Class 3A semifinals, where they will play No. 1 Abington Heights on Tuesday.
Michael Pryor wrapped up his first season as Pittston’s head coach.
“Soccer has been my life, right? Growing up, playing, coaching. Any time I invest my time and energy toward a group, it’s everything to me,” Pryor said. “The best part of the season for me was just the relationships and the journey we went on.”
Though the record leaves room for improvement, Pryor believes the team’s development and culture building will persist, pushing the Patriots to larger success in the future.
“I don’t think our record was indicative of the way we performed this year. We were in a lot of competitive games, moving from Division II to Division I,” Pryor said. “We had a really strong senior group that we’re gonna miss quite a bit, but we also had some underclassmen that really took a step up this year.
“Adversity happens. How do we respond and continue to get better, as a group, in those moments?”
First: Smola (VV), 8:38; Second: Burman (VV), 79:46; Shots-corners: VV 8-5, PIT 11-4; Saves: Sherman (VV) 10, Maldonado (PIT) 5.
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