🏆 Catamounts Trio Takes a Bow at YSC

Ryan Zellefrow joined fellow Vermont Catamounts Zach Barrett and Lou Liedtka at part 2 of West Chester United’s Pro Combine with Christos FC on Saturday and he had himself a day in weather more suitable for The Green Mountain State than Pennsylvania.

Zellefrow, who won a national championship as a freshman with grad students Liedtka and Barrett, had four goals on the day from the right back spot and like he was in the NCAA final against Marshall and through the tournament was dangerous whenever he had the ball.

Liedtka started in goal and dealt well with the danger when it came from the Christos FC attack and Barrett put in another textbook drama-free shift from the left center back spot.

Mason Miller also added a goal to finish off some classy combination play and Funsia Donza added a goal. Donza, a junior at Phelps and high school senior Ryan Noel (son of assistant coach Anthony Noel) both put in solid shifts for the Predators while all three McDaid brothers - Brian and twins Joe and Jack - entered together for the third 30-minute period of the day.

With state cups starting in Maryland the next day, Christos FC made several changes to their young squad but showed well despite the scoreline.

⚽️ What Friendship in Soccer Looks Like

Blaise Santangelo and Larry Sancomb are long-time friends and supporters of one another’s programs. Sancomb’s Christos FC has been at it for 28 years providing a platform for players to launch pro careers, upsetting giants in U.S. Open Cup play and winning seven national titles. Santangelo and Sancomb have put together three pro combines and it’s been at the heart of both of their tireless efforts to grow the sport. They represent different badges but it’s the players - no matter what badge they wear - that matter most.

“It’s such a great event,” Sancomb said. “It’s fantastic for young guys to get out here and have an opportunity to play pro. It’s special for me because I get to come here and hang out with Blaise and a lot of the guys I’ve gotten to know through playing over the years.”

Both teams have been able to provide a platform for players to get to the next level. Kyle Tucker, whose late father Roger Tucker the event was held in memory of this year, is one of several former pro combine players playing at the next level. Several players who played over the two games at YSC Sports near King of Prussia, Pa. are heading out on trials as preseason camps begin. Others are taking advantage of the opportunity to improve and to better position themselves for college soccer and beyond.

“Hopefully some of these kids we won’t ever see in a West Chester kit again because they’ll be playing pro,” Santangelo said. “It’s something Larry and I work on for six months so it’s good to get to the dates and get done. Good results, both teams played well so hopefully we get kids out on some pro contracts.”

❄️ Snowplow Driver of the Match

🗓️ Calendar

Friday, January 10, Tryouts, 6-8 p.m. at Kildare’s Field