Nathan Dragisich had a simple goal for his senior season: Don’t end it with a loss.
After bouncing back from a loss in the WPIAL championship, West Allegheny did just that by claiming PIAA gold. Along the way, Dragisich led his team in scoring and became the all-time leading scorer in West Allegheny history. He’s also the Post-Gazette boys soccer Player of the Year.
Dragisich netted 86 goals and passed out 56 assists in his career, both of which are school records. His season ended with a win, just as he hoped, and along the way he scored 44 times. He had perhaps his biggest game the night he set the school scoring record, as he knocked in four goals.
“It’s a pretty cool honor to have reached those marks,” said Dragisich, a Duquesne recruit who was also named to the all-state team. “It’ll be nice to be remembered as the highest goal scorer and the biggest assist creator in school history. It's nice to see that future players will be trying to break a record you set.”
Franklin Regional was unbeaten, including a win against West Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 3A title match, when the teams locked horns again in the state semifinals. The Indians shocked the Panthers, 2-1. Then, they cruised to a 4-0 triumph in the state championship thanks to a hat trick from Dragisich.
“I’m always going to remember going through the playoffs and going through every game like it was my last game,” said Dragisich. “I didn't want my last game to be a loss. I just did what I could to make it last as long as possible.”
Time and time again, Dragisich came up big. It’s fitting because he focused on getting bigger in the offseason.
Standing 5 feet 8 and weighing 145 pounds, Dragisich was never the biggest player on the field. He was no pushover, though. Coach Kevin Amos said Dragisich gained about 25 pounds of muscle in the past two years. Dragisich said that extra heft allowed him to stay to fend off players who tried to push him off the ball. That resulted in attacks staying alive longer and a more efficient offense.
Whether it was scoring a goal or passing off to a teammate to find the net, Dragisich didn’t care. But he always wanted to put his mark on a game.
“When he hasn't scored or doesn't have an assist, it’s like he changes into a different player,” said Amos. “He’s just unstoppable at times. The worst thing a team can see is Nate in the 18 without a point.”
Opponents, of course, knew all about Dragisich. Some teams assigned a defender to him. That tactic can get in the head of some players, but not Dragisich.
“For Nate it was just another day at the office,” Amos said. “If it meant he didn't score but got an assist, he would do it.”
Here’s the rest of the Post-Gazette all-area team:
• Markello Apodiakos, Belle Vernon — For the second consecutive season, Apodiakos is an all-area selection. As a senior he scored 27 goals.
• Carter Breen, Norwin — Breen got his kicks playing two sports this fall. He’s the football team’s place-kicker, however he’s better known as a slick and quick soccer forward with a powerful shot. He netted 35 goals and led the Knights to the district title match.
• Alex Gordon, Sewickley Academy — The Northwestern recruit played in 1A, however, he is one of the best players regardless of class. He scored 22 goals for the year and helped the Panthers string together a streak of September matches in which they outscored opponents 37-0 over the course of seven games.
• Jesse Greyshock, Deer Lakes — Had nine shutouts this season and allowed more than one goal in only three of 24 games. Greyshock’s steady play helped Deer Lakes reach the state playoffs for the first time.
• Auston Kranick, Franklin Regional — Kranick stood out on a solid team that went undefeated until the state playoffs, which was the first PIAA postseason appearance in school history. He led the team with 18 goals.
• Kellen Krebs, Seton LaSalle — The senior midfielder went on an eight-game tear in October when he scored six of his 14 goals. He is a two-time all-WPIAL selection.
• Brian McCarthy, Pine-Richland — Anchored the midfield for the WPIAL quarterfinalist Rams. An all-state selection and multiple letter winner.
• A.J. Meshanko, Thomas Jefferson — The Jaguars advanced to the WPIAL semifinals three out of the past four years, thanks in part to the senior forward. This year he netted 23 goals, including a hat trick in 3-2 win against Mars in the WPIAL consolation game.
• Tate Mohney, Butler — Mohney was money all season long, as he racked up 20 goals, including a pair against Latrobe in the first round of the WPIAL of playoffs. He scored in 13 of 18 games this year.
• Zak Schwarzel, South Park — A two-time all-state selection and three-year starter, Schwarzel has long been regarded as one of the top defenders in the WPIAL. His team had seven shutouts this season.
• Cullin Woytovich, Charleroi — The regular-season scoring leader with 46 goals, Woytovich buried four more in the postseason to give him 50 for the year.
First Published: December 14, 2018, 12:00 p.m.