Stephen McConahy

JACKSON TWP — Stephen McConahy loves the game of soccer and is looking forward to four more years on the pitch.

A senior defender at Seneca Valley High School, McConahy was one of seven recruits to land with the Slippery Rock University men’s team.

“The thought of playing Division II soccer was a big reason why I chose Slippery Rock,” said McConahy, who also considered Penn State-Behrend. “I liked the atmosphere at SRU.”

SRU coach Michael Bonelli is pleased to have McConahy on board.

“He’s a tough, hard-nosed defender and his style of defending will work well in our system,” Bonelli said in a released statement. “He is also good on the ball and will look to get forward in the attack.”

McConahy has been playing soccer for 13 years, choosing it over baseball as an eighth-grader.

After seeing several starts as a freshman forward, Raiders coach George Williams made a move that benefitted both McConahy and the team.

“I was moved to defense my sophomore year,” he said. “I was totally fine with it. I felt I wasn’t growing as a player up front and I was ready to help the team in the back.

“Every time I take the field, I’m looking to stop the opposing team’s attack,” added McConahy. “I feel if I do that, I’ve done my job.”

The only thing that was able to keep McConahy out of the starting lineup over the next three seasons was a broken collarbone that forced him to miss the second half of his sophomore campaign.

But when he was on the field, McConahy played a key role in the Raiders’ recent run of success. He helped the team win three section crowns in four years (2008, 2010-11).

He was also the only player to see action in both of SV’s WPIAL Class AAA semifinal games in that span (2008 and 2011) and spent the last two seasons as a team captain.

“His experience was key,” said Williams. “He takes the game very seriously and the other players on the team viewed him as a leader.”

McConahy’s high school career culminated with him earning All-Section and All-WPIAL honors last fall. He also was named to the Butler Eagle’s Boys Soccer Honor Roll for the second straight season.

Outside of high school, McConahy played for Beadling’s club team for the last four years.

“I’ve become more composed on the ball and I know that in soccer, possession is so important,” he said. “I had the chance to play for a good high school program and a good coach. I was blessed to have that opportunity.”

The Rock finished 7-8-2 overall last year. McConahy is hoping to help the team improve on that mark next fall.

“How much playing time I get as a freshman, I think the coaches are going to take a wait-and-see approach,” he said. “My first goal is to graduate, but I also want to play and be competitive on the field.”