Congratulations to our very own Jacek Piekut, Senior Midfielder, on being invited to play in the ALL-WPIAL 2024 Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Boys All-Star Game next Saturday, Nov 30th, 1pm at Pine Richland. We're proud to receive the invite and have him represent the Dragons among some of the best high school players in the region!

Additionally, our current squad and past alumni players are welcome to play in our informal annual Thanksgiving Friendly scrimmage that same day, Nov. 30th, at Schenley Oval 3pm.  Hope to see many familiar faces and have a great time playing together!

The 2024 Dice Dragons Boys Soccer team went above and beyond this season. In spite of a controversial path in and out of the WPIAL and a media storm surrounding the Team, our boys stuck together til the very end. Doing what no City Soccer team has done before, Dice progressed all the way to the PIAA State Playoffs Elite 8 after going on a win streak that would see the Dragons power past Obama for the District 8 title and continuing on to beat District 9 champs DuBois and District 10 champs General McLane in the Sweet 16 en route to a showdown vs. the undefeated Moon Tigers of District 7 in the State Quarterfinals. 

What a landmark achievement by this group, with senior leadership at the forefront of an outstanding 14-5-1 record and a ranking on MaxPreps of #5 overall in 3A soccer statewide! This past weekend we faced the 23-0 WPIAL champs Moon, hoping to spoil their perfect season and #1 overall ranking in true Dice fashion. Our boys battled hard and scored a beautiful goal with quick combination passing by captains Jacek Piekut releasing the outlet ball and Aidan Thomas galloping forward, capped by a tidy finish from junior Ethan Voight-Cherna who stayed red hot in the playoffs, netting his 3^rd goal in as many playoff games. The defensive line and senior keeper Hari Arunachalam played with all the heart in the world pushing this all-time classic game past regulation and into overtime, but we fell just short, conceding under heavy pressure from an incredible Moon side late on to bow out of the tournament. It still hurts, but the pride and the memories will stay with us forever.

Please congratulate your Dice Dragons Boys on a fantastic season. Coach Thyberg is incredibly proud of the Team, and sends special thanks to the parents, student supporters and administrators who helped back us throughout our journey. Seniors, we will miss you and hope you stay connected as alumni after helping build such a strong culture. Thanks for all the beautiful moments. For all those fans who are interested, make sure to follow our Team on Social Media or check https://allderdicedragons.com/ in the future to stay up to date on the program as we keep working "Day by Day to get Better and Better."

Dice Boys Soccer has progressed from the 2024 regular season and into the PIAA post-season playoffs! We’ve been through A LOT this year. Most of it has been compelling game scripts, silky possession, gutsy defending, thrilling goals and last second wins from our talented players. On the flip side, we had a WPIAL playoff berth snatched away on an administrative technicality, but the lads have remained resilient.

The heart of this group has been outstanding. As the dust settles, we sit here having posted an 11-4-1 regular season record, scored 54 regular season goals while conceding only 14, beaten WPIAL playoff teams in Montour and Belle Vernon, defeated the “*Undefeated Section Winners” Latrobe not once but twice, notched an action-packed Senior Night Victory against Obama, and won the PIAA District 8 “*City League” title over Obama again a week later to advance to the 3A sub-regional round of the PIAA State Playoffs where we dominated the PIAA District 9 Champs DuBois in a 2-1 win in front of our home fans garnering a MaxPreps ranking of #7 overall in all of Pennsylvania 3A Soccer. Asterisks abounded this fall, but so did our Goals and Wins. It wasn’t the path we hoped for, but we could not be any prouder. Dice is Dancing into the PIAA 3A States Playoffs, having already posted a first round Sweet 16 win over District 10 Erie area champs General McLane with a 1-0 scoreline and a commanding performance to improve to 14-4-1 overall. The Dragons progress to the State Elite 8 quarterfinals this Saturday against undefeated WPIAL champs Moon. Match is at 7pm at neutral site Peters Township Stadium. Come support the City Boys as we continue to Roll Dice!

In a dominant performance fueled by recent adversity, the Allderdice Boys Soccer team claimed the City of Pittsburgh PIAA District 8 Championship with a 5-0 victory over Obama Academy. Senior captains Aidan Thomas (2 goals) and Jacek Piekut (1 goal, 3 assists) led the charge, with additional goals from Junior Luke Pena and senior Daniel Mrsic. Goalkeeper Hari Arunachalam recorded his sixth shutout of the season as the Dragons' defense remained impenetrable.

Despite facing challenges due to late-season news of WPIAL ineligibility, Coach Thyberg's squad is determined to carry this momentum into the PIAA state playoffs. They will face the District 9 Champions next week. Come and show your support for the Dragons next Wednesday at 6:30 PM at Cupples Stadium!

Dice Boys Soccer concluded the Fall 2024 Regular season with a strong showing at Senior Night Vs. City rivals Obama. After a tough loss the previous evening to WPIAL powerhouse Franklin Regional, the Dragons bounced back with a dominant performance against the Eagles. Our seniors showed out, highlighted by a first half goal from captain Aidan Thomas and second half clincher from midfield maestro Ben Pinkston. Senior goalkeepers Hari Arunachalam and Josh Kotov split halves, securing the shutout to improve the overall Team record to 11-4-1. It's been an excellent run this year, and the squad looks forward to carrying that momentum into the start of PIAA playoffs next week. Shout-outs to the seniors for all the hard work and dedication these past 4 years. You will be missed. Once a Dragon, always a Dragon.

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2024/10/06/hey-piaa-let-them-play/

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2024/10/05/unified-allderdice-boys-soccer-players-parents-speak-out-take-aim-at-wpial-pps-officials-for-bumbling-piaa-eligibility-rule/

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2024/10/04/wpial-boots-city-schools-allderdice-and-obama-academy-soccer-teams-to-be-in-compliance-with-piaas-2023-ruling/

SIGN THE PETITION:

https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/let-the-dragons-play

WPIAL/PPS RULING unexpectedly revokes Dice Soccer eligibility with a week remaining in regular season.

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2024/10/03/wpial-boys-soccer-scoreboard-10-3-2024/

https://tribhssn.triblive.com/wpial-scratches-soccer-wins-losses-earned-vs-city-league-teams-from-section-standings/

FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT FOR DICE BOYS SOCCER:

Allderdice has a highly competitive boys soccer program playing in the WPIAL. Roster spots are limited, and we conduct tryouts each August leading into the fall season. Please check out the following information and links from Coach Thyberg to be eligible for tryouts and get on TeamSnap communications platform for the summer.

MANDATORY CIPPE & UPMC PHYSICAL FORMS: 

• The PIAA requires all student athletes to turn in a CIPPE physical packet for clearance to participate. Players need to attend one of the free pop-up clinics listed in the link below or schedule with their own medical provider. Parent and doctor signatures are required to complete the forms. Turn in paperwork in a labeled envelope to Coach Thyberg at one of the open summer sessions or first morning of tryouts. YOU MUST HAVE THESE FORMS TURNED IN TO BE ELIGIBLE OR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TRYOUT.

 • Please get the forms from https://www.pghschools.org/sportsphysicals. 

OPTIONAL OPEN SUMMER SESSIONS:

Saturday Scrimmages (Schenley Oval):  Saturdays 10am-Noon      

June 22nd – August 10th (off on Aug. 3^rd due to Grand Prix in the park) 

Bring your own water, white shirt and dark shirt. Informal and open to new prospects.

TRYOUTS: 

Monday August 12th - Friday August 16th at Schenley Oval Field 

MON-FRI We will have 2-a-Day Tryout Camp Sessions from 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm  

Arrive 15 mins. early; Tardiness & Unexcused Absence are NOT part of our Team Culture 

CIPPE Physical Packet is required to be eligible for tryouts.

Bring water bottle, cleats, running shoes, shin-guards, white & dark shirts, ball, sunblock 

Players can pack a lunch for Schenley Oval pavilion, go to nearby restaurants or go home during the 2-hour lunch break from 11am-1pm. Rest, stretching, hydration, AC encouraged!

HOW DO YOU MAKE THE TEAM? 

Lots of players try out for limited roster spots. We keep max 25 for Varsity & 25 on JV. 

Expecting at least 70 to 80 players at tryouts. Cuts will be on Fri August 16th.

Seniors aren’t JV eligible. Tryouts are highly competitive. Set yourself apart with: 

• Mental: attitude, effort        • Physical: speed, strength, stamina 

• Technical: skill, play              • Tactical: game IQ, following directions

GET CONNECTED TO COMMUNICATIONS ON TEAMSNAP:

Contact Coach Thyberg to get on the tryout list BEFOREHAND (dthyberg1@pghschools.org) 

Please use the following link to share your contact information to receive summer communications leading up to tryouts.  We organize everything on TeamSnap app, so you will need to register once we have player/parent emails for invitation link!

https://forms.gle/2GtFUWTzQA2BCP3Q9

The Allderdice Boys Soccer team played their home opener at Cupples Stadium this past week against section rival Penn Trafford. The Dragons took a first-half lead with a spectacular long-range strike from junior midfielder Ethan Voight-Cherna, an early contender for goal of the season. However, a late defensive error resulted in a 1-1 draw. The team quickly rebounded the next night, taking on top-5 ranked Montour on the road. Allderdice dominated with patient possession, finally breaking through in overtime when senior Aidan Thomas scored the winner, assisted by a driving run from forward Dan Mrsic. Goalkeeper Ozan Matveiev earned a shutout against the previously undefeated Spartans with a stellar backline performance shielding his box from danger, securing a major non-section victory and putting the Dragons on the WPIAL radar as we head into September.

The Allderdice Boys Soccer team opened the 2024 season with a 2-0 win over Knoch High School, with both goals scored by senior midfielder Aidan Thomas. This was followed by a close loss to a perennial playoff contender away at Mars. The Dragons bounced back with a commanding 4-0 victory over West Mifflin to start section competition. Senior midfielder Jacek Piekut has been a key playmaker with one goal and three assists so far. Goalkeeper Ozan Matveiev secured the shutout against West Mifflin, highlighted by a crucial penalty save. Coach Thyberg and the team are excited for the season ahead. Please come out and support us, including next Tuesday home at Cupples Stadium at 6:30 PM, as we face section rival Penn Trafford!

The Allderdice Boys Soccer team continued their dominant run this week, securing two significant victories over section rivals. They started with a commanding 8-1 win against Belle Vernon at home, where junior Ethan Voight-Cherna shone with a hat-trick. Seniors Aidan Thomas and Pierre Cozby each contributed a goal and two assists, while Jacek Piekut added a goal and an assist (team-leading 5 assists on the season).

Two days later, the Dragons continued their winning ways with a 6-0 triumph over Uniontown on the road. Aidan Thomas again starred with a hat-trick (team-leading 8 goals on the season), while Jacek Piekut scored a goal and provided another assist. Sophomore Luca Fuerte also played a key role, notching two assists from skillful moves down the wings. Coach Thyberg’s squad now boast one of the best defensive stat-lines in all of WPIAL 3A and the goals are starting to flow up front. It’s good timing, as major tests await just around the corner.

Currently surging in the rankings, Allderdice has huge games lined up next week: a home match against Latrobe at Cupples Stadium on Tuesday, followed by an away contest at Franklin Regional in Murrysville on Thursday. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team as they aim to maintain their impressive form!

Dice Boys Soccer traveled to Penn Trafford early in the week. In spite of numerous chances on offense, defensive errors and a misfiring attack led to a 2-1 penalty kick overtime loss. While disappointed, the Team rallied on Thursday in front of their home fans en route to a dominant 6-1 win over West Mifflin. Junior midfielder Ethan Voight-Cherna paced the squad with 2 goals and an assist. Senior captain Aidan Thomas tallied a goal and assist while captain Jacek Piekut notched 2 more goals of his own. Senior defender Jack Cohen also converted a penalty kick from the spot. Firmly in the WPIAL 3A playoff hunt, the Dragons will look to keep training hard in anticipation of next Saturday's game away at Belle Vernon.

Inspired Win Over Latrobe: The Allderdice Boys Soccer team delivered an inspired performance against highly regarded Latrobe on Tuesday, securing a shutout victory. Senior keeper Josh Kotov and the back line were instrumental in stifling one of the WPIAL’s top goal scorers, while junior Ethan Voight-Cherna netted two goals, with fellow junior Luke Peña adding another towering header off a corner. This statement win earned the team recognition in the Post-Gazette as one of the 3A title contenders to watch this season and a no.2 overall WPIAL 3A ranking. Tough Road Matchup Against Franklin Regional: On Thursday, the Dragons faced a challenging road game against another ranked team, Franklin Regional. Despite a strong start in the first half, fatigue set in and the team ultimately fell to a 2-0 defeat. Learning from the setback will serve the boys well in the long run. Upcoming Games: The Dragons will look to bounce back with three consecutive games this coming week. Tuesday away to Penn Trafford will be followed by a big Wednesday night 8pm game against rivals Central Catholic (at Ellis School Field) and a Thursday 3 PM match at Schenley Oval against West Mifflin. Come support your Dice boys as one of the best soccer teams in the WPIAL continues their push towards the playoffs!