In spite of a sudden conclusion, Thomas Jefferson accumulated numerous highlights throughout the boys soccer season.

By: Ray Fisher


Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 11:01 AM

The Thomas Jefferson boys soccer squad faced its initial defeat of the 2024 season in double overtime.

The Jaguars did not suffer another loss during the regular season, finishing with a record of 10-1-3 in Section 2-3A.

TJ claimed the section championship — their third title in four years — placing ahead of Bethel Park (11-3), Trinity (9-3-2), and Ringgold (9-4-1).

“I believed we had a very fruitful regular season, clinching a section championship in a highly competitive section,” remarked TJ coach Michael “Doc” Kulish. “We concluded the campaign with a 16-game unbeaten streak and secured the No. 2 seed for the WPIAL playoffs.

“I envisioned this team having the capability to achieve a significant playoff run. Sadly, we encountered a formidable Franklin Regional squad that (later) fell in the WPIAL championship match.”

After their first match of the season, the Jaguars took part in 16 additional regular-season games, achieving 11 shutouts. In the remaining five games, the opposing teams managed to score only one goal.

TJ moved on to the WPIAL playoffs, quickly making an impact with an 8-0 victory in the first round against No. 15 Armstrong. Jake Shoemaker scored twice as the Jaguars extended their unbeaten streak to 17 games.

However, the Jaguars faced a setback with a 2-1 defeat to No. 7 Franklin Regional in the quarterfinals, wrapping up the year with a 14-2-3 overall record.

“Regrettably, we didn’t progress as far as we had hoped,” Kulish expressed, “but I still take pride in the season, bringing home another section title. We are already beginning to focus on next year.

“We will be losing key players in scoring and defense, but given the injuries we experienced this year, many younger players played significant roles, which will benefit us in the future.”

In total, TJ outscored their opponents 75-10, with a scoring advantage of 50-7 in section play.

The Jaguars’ starting goalkeeper was junior Sam Wessel, who also played as a placekicker on the TJ football team.

Wessel recorded 12 shutouts in 2024, following up on eight clean sheets in 2023.

Kulish noted that Wessel and the TJ starting defensive lineup — seniors Bryce Kameg, Logan Schaffer, and Kolton Smith, along with junior Will Moser — were the team’s standout performers in ’24.

TJ’s starting formation featured Wessel in goal with Kameg, Schaffer, Smith, and Moser on defense. Kameg received the United Soccer Coaches Association Senior Excellence Award and all-section honors.

Moser garnered an honorable mention all-section recognition.

Offensively, Brayden Miller returned for his senior year after being recognized as all-WPIAL and all-section in 2023. He shared the title of co-player of the year in his section.

Miller led the team in scoring with 28 goals and 10 assists, having scored a team-high 24 goals in 2023. He earned all-section, Section 2 Player of the Year, All-WPIAL, and all-state distinctions this year.

Miller, junior Aydin Hajiyev, and sophomores Evan Olson and Benjamin Powell manned the midfield, while senior Jake Shoemaker and junior Owen Householder occupied forward positions.

Shoemaker finished the season with 16 goals and 19 assists; Householder contributed 10 goals and 12 assists.

Shoemaker and Wessel received all-section and all-WPIAL honors this year.

Kulish was recognized as Section 2 Coach of the Year, boasting a career coaching record of 447-188-40.

TJ faced early-season challenges with injuries affecting several key players, including junior Andrew Callaghan (torn ACL), senior Dylan Legeza (fractured hip), junior Logan Barron (broken collarbone), and sophomore Jacob Surrena (broken toe) — all midfielders.

Callaghan underwent offseason knee surgery and was unable to participate at all this year. Legeza, Barron, and Surena made returns to the lineup.

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