Leach named to All-State soccer team

By: Ed Weaver  /  January 31, 2018  /  Photo: John Shaffer

Senior Gabe Leach was named to the 2017 Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association's All-State team on Saturday, January 27.

"I am so proud of Gabe for being named All-State for his senior season, he had an amazing season," said head coach John Shaffer.

Leach scored 11 goals, made 28 assists and scored 50 points during the 2017 season that was the best in Wellsboro Boys Soccer history. 2017 saw the Hornets advance to the District IV championship game, which they upset Millville in a 1-0 shutout to win the program's first-ever District championship. Wellsboro also advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals for the first time ever.

For his career, Leach scored 17 goals, had 89 points, and made 55 assists.

"Gabe's ability to set up his teammates was very special and achieving over 50 assists is a true sentiment to that," continued Shaffer. "Gabe was a leader both on and off the field. He consistently placed in the top if not winning all of our conditioning tests. In practices he brought a competitiveness that raised the bar for all of his teammates."

Leach becomes the fourth Hornet in Shaffer's career to be named All-State. Josiah Hill was named in both 2015 and 2016, Erik Stemcosky was named to the team in 2013, and Darby Alafoginis received the honor in 2011.

"Gabe carries on the legacy of Wellsboro All-State players. This program has only been around for 15 years and over the last eight years I've been lucky to coach 4 All-State players, (Josiah hill earned it 2 years). Even though Gabe's name will go on the award, it really is a team award. This group of young men worked off of each other and Gabe doesn't get this personal notoriety if not for the other 10 plus players around him."

WellsboroAthletics.com and WellsboroSoccer.com would like to congratulate Gabe on being selected to the 2017 All-State team.