BVA ready for busy start to season

By Jose Negron

jnegron@yourmvi.com

It would be an understatement to say Rob Miele and the Belle Vernon Area boys soccer team will be quite busy over the next three days. 

The Leopards open their fall season tonight with an immediate test against Section 3-3A rival Ringgold at James Weir Stadium. 

BVA then travels to Albert Gallatin Tuesday before heading to Greensburg Salem Wednesday. 

“Mentally, I know we will be ready, but physically, I’m not sure. We’ve never done anything like this even in a normal year and when you add into the equation the weird offseason, it’s definitely a tall task, but it’s something that’s out of our hands,” Miele said. “We are going to control what we can control and we will be ready to compete each night. Managing playing time for certain players will definitely be a focal point.”

Over each of the last two seasons, the Leopards have started their section slate with a rivalry game against the Rams. 

BVA won last year’s opener by a score of 2-1 on Sept. 3. Miele’s bunch earned the season sweep Sept. 21 with a 1-0 triumph. 

“I think the aggressive schedule and specifically starting with a section rival and a team that we feel is going to be pretty good in Ringgold certainly gave us a heightened focus in the offseason when there was a lot of uncertainty during those summer workouts,” Miele said. “Typically you never open the season with a section game, but it’s a unique situation in a unique season.” 

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