For the first time in nine years, the Fox Chapel Area boys soccer team won its section championship. The Foxes clinched the title October 14 after a decisive 5-0 victory over North Hills. However, even before securing the section title, the Foxes had already earned a spot in the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs, a testament to the enduring strength of the program.
Ranked third among all WPIAL Class 4A teams, the Foxes earned a first-round bye in the WPIAL championships. The Foxes will make their first postseason appearance Saturday, October 26, against Upper St. Clair.
One key to the Foxes’ success is junior goalkeeper Brady Matthews, a first-year full-time varsity keeper who is bringing poise and grit to the net. In his first full season in that role, Brady is playing with confidence and like a seasoned veteran. His athleticism, aggressive style, quick reflexes, and sharp soccer IQ have made him one of the best keepers in the section – one which is widely regarded as one of the toughest sections in all of WPIAL 4A.
Brady recalls one of his proudest moments of the season so far – a heated section game against perennial rival Seneca Valley, last year’s Section 3 winner.
“They have always been one of our toughest opponents, and we hadn’t won against them in about eight years,” says Brady, who also plays midfielder and attacker for the Foxes lacrosse team, and is a coach for the area’s youth basketball program in the winter. “In the last few seconds of the game, we had a 2-1 lead, but they were awarded a free kick. I went up and made the save to end (and win) the game.”
Brady’s impressive performance is even more striking, considering last season he alternated as the varsity backup goalie and playing right wing, while also holding the starting goalkeeper position for the junior varsity squad.
It’s not only Brady’s physical abilities that stand out, but also his mental preparation and how he approaches that part of every game.
“My mentality going into the game is that I tell myself, ‘Don’t let any goals get past me, stay big in the net, and keep my defense in shape,’ ” says Brady, who spends a lot of time training with Foxes’ assistant coach Kevin Carney and credits him for making him into the goalie he is today. “I just go out there with a winning mentality, no matter how difficult the game will be for us. But I also want to give a lot of credit to my defense too – the shutouts aren’t just all me.”
“Brady is unbelievable,” says coach Erik Ingram. “For someone who has only played goalkeeper for one year, I’m impressed with his rapid development. He’s great in the air, has fantastic hands, and his diving range is exceptional. He has the skills of many of the better goalkeepers in the WPIAL, but what really sets him apart from a lot of them is his athleticism. Brady is not only a great goalie, but he is also a great mentor for the younger goalies.”
For the multisport athlete, his success also stems from his love of the game and his teammates.
“I like how unique playing goalie is and the leadership I get to bring to the team,” says Brady, whose coaches say he is good enough to play in college. “This is a special group, and I love playing with all of them.”
