Conestoga boys look poised for another dominant season

Matthew Ralph

September 5, 2023 @ 12:24 PM

For most other programs, Conestoga's 2022 campaign would've been considered a successful one despite not getting back to the state final. After losing the bulk of their starters from the 2021 4A state champs, the Pioneers made it to within one win of a return to the final when they were upended in a revenge match with 2021 finalist Seneca Valley, the eventual state champions in one of the more dominant state final wins in recent history over Lower Merion.   Heading into the 2023 season, the Pioneers already looked strong on paper with eight returning starters and a massive addition in [player_tooltip player_id='61508' first='Ryan' last='Zellefrow'], who decided to play high school soccer for his senior season after spending the last couple years playing in MLS Next and MLS Next Pro with the Portland Timbers.   One big loss from the 2022 squad was the departure of Diego Ramirez to the Philadelphia Union Development Squad but the addition of Zellefrow in the midfield really bolsters an already strong attack. His line-breaking passing and ball control in the middle of the park were both big factors in the first half in opening the scoring against West Chester Henderson last week.   With Philadelphia Union striker Chris Donovan in the stands, the Pioneers' attack at times resembled the buzz saw that it was when Dono was on the team and when they ran through the competition to a state title in 2021. One holdover from the 2021 team was the offensive star of the night in Kole Wintersteen, who led the front line with a hat trick. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='168922' first='Brady' last='Costin'] and junior Cole Frederick also stood out on the night, senior Zane Khalil found the back of the net and goalkeeper Ryan Carella's long goal kicks created problems for Henderson by pinning them into their own end.   Henderson did look better than the 2-0 halftime deficit and 5-0 final would suggest. Junior midfielder Pat Sinnott and junior defender Brody Stewart were both workhorses in the middle and junior forward Josh Jarden had some bright attacking moments going forward. Unfortunately for Henderson they gifted the second goal and struggled to deal with set pieces in the second half, allowing the lead to stretch and not capitalizing on chances they fought hard to create going the other way.   Conestoga has a long way to go to be talked about in the same conversation as some of their great teams of the past but so far there's a lot of evidence to suggest that teams are going to struggle trying to shut down their many weapons this season.   <a href="https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/x4ZfPdp0R1uqC71FD0qGrA.xOOqO4hwUXIWggs9Qv2AkJ">Photo Gallery Link</a>

For most other programs, Conestoga's 2022 campaign would've been considered a successful one despite not getting back to the state final. After losing the bulk of their starters from the 2021 4A state champs, the Pioneers made it to within one win of a return to the final when they were upended in a revenge match with 2021 finalist Seneca Valley, the eventual state champions in one of the more dominant state final wins in recent history over Lower Merion.