Playing as a team will be key for veteran-laden Greyhounds

By JEFF OLIVER

MVI Sports

Donnie Caterino’s first season as boys soccer coach at Monessen was not a memorable one.

The Greyhounds finished 5-13, including 2-10 in Section 4-A.

However, Caterino says there is more to just the final record for his Greyhounds.

“Our record was misleading because we were in pretty much every game we played,” Caterino said. “When we played as a team and moved the ball, we played well. It was a transition year and it took a while for us to put it together.”

Two bright spots for the Greyhounds are that they return most of their starters from a year ago and they closed the 2019 season with three consecutive wins.

“We have a senior-dominated team. I have 11 seniors this season, which makes for a really big class,” Caterino said. 

Leading that senior-dominated veteran team are returning starters Chas Mrlack (midfielder), Alex Danko (defense) and Morgan Madison (forward), all seniors.

“They are our top players and I will look to them for leadership,” said Caterino. “They are three talented kids who we will depend on.”

Mrlack, a returning all-section player, is the one who will stir the drink for Monessen.

“Chas is solid,” Caterino said. “He will be our quarterback in the midfield. I’m hoping everything will go through him. The big thing will be getting him to play the style of game I want him  to make us successful.”

Other returning starters for Monessen include seniors Dylan Borne (defense midfielder), Che Hill (midfielder), Angelo Mauro (center) and James Thomas (midfielder), junior Jack Sacco (goalkeeper) and sophomore Zach Zizis (midfielder).

“Those guys all have great experience that should help us,” Caterino said. “I’m excited to see how it all comes together for the season.”

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.