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Cameron looks to continue winning tradition at BV

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The Belle Vernon girls soccer program was once a staple of consistency with the program winning eight section titles in 11 years with Paul Sasko as head coach.

Sasko retired after the 2015 season and was replaced by Dave Richmond, who then resigned after only one season because of personal reasons.

Tom Cameron, a well-known coach with decades of experience, was hired in April to become the third head coach in three years.

Cameron has been a head coach for five high school programs – four boys and one girls – and was an assistant for the men’s and women’s teams at St. Vincent College.

“This season is the only one that counts now,” he said. “We had a great camp and the girls have a common goal of doing the best that we can.”

The program has made the playoffs for 13 straight years, and Cameron knows it is going to be a challenge in Section 2-AAA.

“Mt. Pleasant, Elizabeth Forward and Greensburg Salem are the favorites,” he said. “The section is going to be tough and we will have to play our best as the other teams will bring it night in and night out.”

Belle Vernon (2-0, 3-1) has five returning starters – all seniors – from last year in midfielders Lexi Demko, Erin Sassak, Jillian McCullough, center back Keelie Selvoski and Autumn Forte, who alternates between the middle and back lines.

Demko, Selvoski, Sassak and senior center midfielder Karter Temashanko serve as the captains.

The senior leadership is balanced by youthfulness around the pitch with sophomore Marissa Grubbs, and four starting freshmen in Isabella Laurita, Jillian Butchki, Katie Hyrcho and goalkeeper Grace Henderson.

“We are counting on several new starters to play well for us,” Cameron said. “We have a team mixed with experience and young talent. The biggest key for us will be to play good defense and keep the keeper clean.”

What does Cameron expect as Belle Vernon continues to get deeper into its conference schedule?

“We have to play every game as if it is our last,” he said. “The girls have put in the time and we have to finish what we started back in April.”

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