Why Peyton Los’ experience is so important to Freeport girls soccer’s pursuit of another WPIAL section title
When not focusing on academics or athletics, you can often find Peyton Los near her Sarver home riding Volt or Cav, her family’s pair of geldings.
“I’ve been riding horses since I was 4,” she said. “My mom grew up riding and training them, and she got me into it.
“I try to ride three times per week and I really enjoy it. When I finish a ride and it went well, I get a sense of accomplishment.”
Another place where Los experiences that feeling is on the soccer field, where she is a four-year starter for Freeport’s girls. She played on the wing as a freshman, but is now in her third season as the team’s center midfielder.
Over the last three years, she totaled 20 goals and 26 assists.
“There are players who have more impressive stats, but Peyton epitomizes someone who leads by example,” Yellowjackets coach Steve Kukic said. “She’s not a huge talker, but she is so responsible on the field and works very hard. The other girls see that, and it’s very valuable to have someone like that on the team.”
Her ability and steadying presence have made Los one of Freeport’s captains for the second straight year.
“It’s an honor. I like helping the team get organized and making sure we’re all doing what we need to for the team,” said Los, who is verbally committed to attend and play soccer at Slippery Rock University. “I give a lot of credit to my club coach, Blair Gantz. She showed me what it means to be a leader.”
Los has honed her skills for Steel City’s club team (formerly Century), for which she also plays center midfielder. So much time at one position has made her a trusted and effective cog in Freeport’s lineup.
“She wins a lot of balls and makes good decisions,” Kukic said. “And she is able to guard well against counterattacks. Having her in the middle is one of our biggest strengths.”
Since Los joined the varsity team in 2022, the Yellowjackets have gone a combined 43-8-2 and are two-time defending WPIAL Section 2-2A champions.
With a roster that has other stars, including forward Camryn Woods and goalie Alyssa Alcorn, the Yellowjackets are primed to make another run to the playoffs in 2025.
“We graduated just two starters from last year,” she said. “When we lose seniors, it seems we always have a strong group coming back. A lot of us play club together and we work so well with each other on the field.”
