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WPIAL Boys Soccer Player of the Week: Luke Kolankowski (Plum)

Photo courtesy Jared Todhunter

We are proud to share Pittsburgh Soccer Now’s WPIAL Boys Soccer Player of the Week honoree for Week four of the 2020 season….

Luke Kolankowski 

(Junior, Midfielder – Plum High School)

Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s WPIAL Boys Player of the Week

(week 4 – Oct 4 -10) 

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Thus far this season, Kolankowski has led the way as Plum’s playmaker, combining for seven goals and nine assists.  His presence in the midfield has helped elevate Plum into a WPIAL Class 3A title contender. Within the past week, in two wins against Penn Hills (6-0) and Woodland Hills (7-0), he scored two goals and had three assists along with a game-winner.

“He’s very skilled and smart player, and has a way of making his presence felt,” Head Coach, (and Luke’s father) Raf Kolankowski said. ‘

Kolankowski also plays with Hotspurs U16 squad and has also trained and been added to the roster of the Pittsburgh Hotspurs’ first team which competes in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

Luke’s play, along with his teammates has Plum tied for the lead in WPIAL Class 3A, Section 3 with Franklin Regional.  Plum became the first opponent to score against and beat its section rivals when Kolankowski took a deflection off a corner kick and surprised Panthers’ goalie Gianni Diacopoulos in the 44th minute of their return match on September 29, which they won, 2-1. Plum previously lost, 4-1, to Franklin-Regional a week earlier in Pittsburgh Soccer Now’s feature game. in week two.

Franklin Regional Head Coach Rand Hudson on Kolankowski: 

“Luke is a hard-working force, covering sideline-to-sideline and box-to-box. He wins balls, and changes offensive direction of play, spraying balls to all areas of the field. Very skilled and opportunistic.”

Previous PSN 2020 Player of the Week honoree(s): 

Rutger Randall, Keystone Oaks (week 1 – Sept. 14-19)
Eben McIntyre, Charleroi (week 2 – Sept. 20-26)
Daniel Sassack, Belle Vernon (week 3 – Sept 27 – Oct 3) 
Pittsburgh Soccer Now’s Player of the Week nominations are accepted from WPIAL coaches every week no later than each Monday evening.
Please contact us by email or DM us on Facebook or Twitter if you are a WPIAL soccer coach and would like us to send you a nomination form.  

 

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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