Major soccer step forward
JACKSON TWP — Becoming a starter for Seneca Valley’s varsity boys soccer team is no small task.
But incoming sophomore Zachary Garma and junior Leyton Takac are taking major steps in that direction this summer.
Both play club soccer for Arsenal FC, which recently earned direct advancement to the United States Youth Soccer (USYS) National Championship July 18-24 in Orlando, Fla. This is the first direct qualification for any team in PA West.
Garma, a center-midfielder, and Takac, a center back, are two of 20 players on the Arsenal FC roster. The team practices at No Offseason in Russellton.
“Those guys have been big contributors for us,” Arsenal coach Jonathan Velotta said. “Zach is a playmaker who reads the field well and knows how to set up his teammates. Leyton is an outstanding defensive player.
“These kids are very dedicated to soccer.”
They’re very used to winning, too.
Garma and Takac played for Seneca Valley’s junior varsity, which went undefeated last fall. Arsenal FC plays in the Great Lakes Region and the National League. It went 7-0 in the former, 6-0-1 in the latter this season. The team plays random opponents outside of both leagues as well.
The team clinched its automatic berth at nationals by winning three games in Arizona in March.
“A tremendous experience,” said Garma, who is in his third season with Arsenal. “The competition is at a very high level. We’ve been going up against some of the best players our age in the country.”
Takac is in his fourth season with Arsenal. This will be his first trip to a national event as a player.
“I’m excited about it,” he said. “This is going to be the best competition we’ve ever played against. I’m anxious to see how we do.”
Garma and Takac were teammates with Northern Steel before joining Arsenal.
“We had the same team together for a while, then it started to break apart,” Takac said. “I knew some other guys on the (Arsenal) team and decided to try out for them.
“They’ve taught me a lot about footwork and technique. My game has really improved. I feel like I’m ready to step up to varsity next year.”
Seneca Valley was 21-1-1 last season, winning the WPIAL Class 4A championship and advancing to the state final. The Raiders are 119-18-7 over the past seven years, winning three WPIAL titles, getting to the state final three times and winning a state crown during that stretch.
“The success of the program motivates you to get better and be a part of it,” Garma said.
Arsenal’s season runs from November through June or July. The team practices three days a week and travels to tournaments on weekends. The Great Lakes Regional league consists of teams in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.
“With the National League, we travel all over the country,” Velotta said. “We play 25 to 30 games a year and structure our season around the high schools. When the high school season ends, our season begins.”
Arsenal draws players from Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel, North Hills, Seneca Valley, “pretty much up and down that corridor,” Velotta said. “These kids are very dedicated to the game.
“We have tryouts and we will recruit on occasion to fill a particular need on our team.”
Garma and Takac don’t mind putting in the time.
“We’re committed to getting better. That’s what this is all about,” Garma said.
