Athlete of the Week: USC Soccer's Hannah Zangara

In a harsh rainstorm at on Monday night, Hannah Zangara scored the only goal of the game with five minutes left in double-overtime to improve her team's undefeated record to 6-0.

"It's always a team victory, we work very hard," Zangara said, one of four team captains on the girls soccer team and Upper St. Clair Patch's athlete of the week.

The senior midfielder always speaks of team first. Her team has been ousted in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs the past three seasons and she and her teammates vow for this year to be the breakthrough.

"She quietly does her job and leads by example. It's hard to ask any  more of what we get out of her every day," said head coach Dave Gray, in his eighth season leading the girls squad.

Zangara has been playing soccer since she was at the age of five. Like any athlete, she has had her share of adversity to overcome. She broke her leg at the age of 13 and fought through tendinitis her sophomore year. Among other things, injuries can help an athlete appreciate their love for the game and Zangara said she is excited about senior soccer season.

"I realize this is our last year, we want to make it the best," Zangara said.

The is off to a fantastic 6-0 start outscoring their opponents 26-2 in the process. Zangara has scored seven goals.

A very challenging part of the schedule lies ahead for the lady Panthers. They are one game into a five game stretch their coach calls "the toughest of the season."

They host on Thursday, visit on Saturday, then host a currrently undefeated Mt. Lebanon team on Monday. Those teams have a combined record of 18-5.

Beating Canon-McMillan with Hannah's double-overtime goal was a great start in the stretch.

"Last year I'm not sure we wouldn't have collpased. We stayed on the path all game," coach Gray said.

Hannah agreed with the coach's assessment.

"I think this year our team is a lot more positive. We stick to our game plan," Zangara said.

Coach Gray described Zangara as an energy player who plays at a high tempo and has a very strong skill set. Along with one of her best friends, fellow captain and senior midfielder Hannah Willhelm, they are a key to USC's success, according to the coach.

Zangara would be disappointed if we were not to mention a few other big reasons for USC's strong start. Jocelyn Alfera has been in net for every game this year recording nine saves in their most recent 1-0 victory at Canon-McMillan. Also, giving up only two goals thus far this year is in large part to their four very strong defenders: Val Repischak, Kelsey Rogers, Abby Schuster and Kristen Walczak.

Senior midfielder's Megan Hindman and Katey Woistman are the other talented captains for Upper St. Clair.

This team also has an up-and-coming freshman defender, Sammi Lackner. Zangara said she enjoys showing Lackner the ropes and taking her under her wings.

"Hannah's work rate is through the roof. She has been unbelievable for four years," coach Gray said.

Zangara attributes her hard work simply to her love of the game.