Once isn't enough for McKenzie
ADAMS TWP — There wasn't too much Ryan McKenzie could do for an encoren.
In 2008, the Mars forward helped the boys soccer team capture its first WPIAL championship and another trip to the PIAA playoffs.
His efforts also earned him the Butler Eagle Boys Soccer Player of the Year nod.
This season, McKenzie tallied 34 goals and 15 assists, and was named to the all-PIAA team in his senior campaign, which saw the Planets defend their WPIAL Class AA title and make a trip to the PIAA quarterfinals.
For those reasons, McKenzie repeated as the Butler Eagle Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
"I don't think I changed that much," said McKenzie. "I couldn't ask for better teammates. That really helped me.
"I was a little surprised I scored more this year. ... I had a couple of games where I had multiple goals. That's how it worked out," McKenzie added.
As a sophomore, McKenzie scored a team-high 17 goals as the Planets reached the PIAA championship game in Hershey, then followed up with 20 goals and 17 assists last season.
"I knew that Ryan would improve just because he's a hard worker and he's always looking for ways to get better," said Mars coach Chris Knauff. "He's used to having someone else score around him. He played with Timmy Frigot his sophomore and junior years, and he scored 15 goals.
"Ryan's a great setup man. He creates a lot of opportunities for others. He'll help stats for whoever he plays with.
"He'd drop back to the midfield, win the ball there and help and attack. That's the one area he's improved. He wasn't just a goal scorer, even though he had more," Knauff added.
McKenzie was one of five Mars players who made the all-WPIAL team, joining senior defenders Tanner Panza and Jack Leslie, and midfielders Tim Vandall and Christopher Karns.
That core of returning players left a big mark on the program.
"Our primary goal was winning (a state title)," said McKenzie. "There were nine of us (seniors) on the team two years ago and we fell short (in Hershey). I thought we had the ability to win it (the next two seasons), but we didn't.
"At that point in time, Mars soccer hadn't done much. I was glad we won the section that year (2007). ... We had the opportunity to keep things going," McKenzie added.
The lack of a state title is the only blemish on this senior class, and McKenzie is hopeful the younger players will continue the growth of the program.
"I think our team has a promising next couple of years," said McKenzie. "We have a group of skilled players and I wish them the best of luck.
"We hoped they learned anything is possible as long as you work hard. When you do, you can get anywhere as a team," McKenzie added.
McKenzie showed he was at the top of his game and it was apparent not just in Western Pennsylvania but aroound the state as well.
"I think his control of the ball, his skill of the ball with his feet are unsurpassed at this level," said Knauff.
"It doesn't matter what part of the field he's in, he never panics. He's always in control. It's amazing what he can pull off."
