The Fox Chapel Area boys soccer team was in a familiar spot in 2023 – the WPIAL semifinals, a place the Foxes have been 10 times since 2000.
But longtime coach Erik Ingram said the team felt a lot of frustration from the outcome of that contest, a 2-1 loss to Norwin.
“We had more than enough chances in front of their goal. We just didn’t convert them,” coach Ingram said. “Norwin was a great team. I think our guys were a little bit frustrated. We want to fix some things and do a little bit better this year. I think they’re motivated to go after the big prize and see how far they get.”
Now it’s onto the 2024 season – one that saw more than 60 kids try out for the team.
“I think we look pretty good,” coach Ingram said. “We have a decent amount of team speed. The soccer IQ is pretty high with this group. As usual, I think we’ll have a good run in the playoffs.”
Last year’s “good run” came off a fourth-place finish in the ultra-tough Class 4A Section 1, in which the Foxes posted an impressive 8-4-2 record (12-5-2 overall).
As mentioned, the Foxes typically do quite well in the postseason. Coach Ingram credits this to the area’s youth soccer league.
“The Fox Chapel Area youth program does a great job with the kids, so we have a really strong feeder program,” he said. “The middle school coaches do a great job as well.”
One of the key members of this year’s team figures to be senior forward Milo Chiu, who was a Big 56 second-team all-section selection in 2023. He also was chosen for the Class 4A All-WPIAL Western PA Soccer Coaches Association Team and the Class 4A Section 1 WPIAL Soccer Coaches Association Team.
“Milo is a very strong central midfielder,” coach Ingram said. “He’s good at both ends of the field – offensively and defensively. He really has the ability to change the game when he has the opportunity. He’s really big for us.”
Others expected to be key contributors are senior forward Carson Krushansky, a Big 56 second-team all-section selection, and senior Kellen Bleier, grandson of former Steeler standout Rocky Bleier.
The starting goalkeeper is expected to be either junior Brady Matthews or junior Eduardo Diaz. Whoever is named the starter will have some big shoes to fill, as that person will replace the departed quality duo of Connor Scanlon and Owen Levy.
“Those two were great last year,” coach Ingram said.
The Foxes are in WPIAL Class 4A Section 3 this season, a section that Ingram referred to as the “group of death.” That’s a pretty apt description when you look at a grouping that includes North Allegheny, North Hills, Seneca Valley, Pine-Richland, and Butler Area.
Plus, the nonsection schedule features perennial heavyweights such as Norwin, Canon-McMillan, and Mt. Lebanon.
“I don’t think it gets any harder than our schedule,” coach Ingram said.
Of course, if Fox Chapel Area is fortunate enough to make another run in the postseason, it will be a tested team.
“We’ll definitely be ready,” coach Ingram said. “The kids enjoy that kind of competition. Given the opportunity to play a lesser schedule, I don’t think they would want it.”
The Foxes open the season August 27 against Canon-McMillan, the first game of a new season to erase the sting of last season.
“I think the guys are pretty committed to working hard on finishing,” Ingram said. “We scored some nice goals and won some big games, but we left a lot on the table last year.”