Manchester, PA. Abington Heights goalkeeper Billy Johnson goes up and grabs a Conrad Weiser corner kick during the Comets 2025 state championship game.
Buck Norton-Jennings File Photo | For Abington Journal
Abington Heights goalkeeper Billy Johnson attempts to see through the rain during the Comets game against North Pocono in 2025.
Buck Norton-Jennings File Photo | For Abington Journal
Manchester, PA. Joey Pivirotto dribbles the ball enroute to a Comets goal during 2025 state championship play.
Buck Norton-Jennings File Photo | For Abington Journal
Jack Leuthe of Abington Heights intercepts a Pittston Area pass during the 2025 PIAA District 2 semifinal game.
Buck Norton-Jennings File Photo | For Abington Journal
Comets Jack Leuthe passes the ball upfield against North Pocono in 2025.
Buck Norton-Jennings File Photo | For Abington Journal
Abington Heights Billy Johnson (00) and teammate Connor McDonald (3) guard the goal for a North Pocono corner kick in this 2025 file photo.
Buck Norton-Jennings File Photo | For Abington Journal
Frank Dyska finds himself in uncharted territory.
No previous Lackawanna County high school coach has ever had to prepare a soccer team that entered the season as a defending state champion.
Dyska has that assignment after guiding Abington Heights through a postseason in which it did not lose a District 2 or PIAA playoff game, and did not allow a goal during that time.
“Last season was an incredible experience and gave our program a lot of great memories,” Dyska said. “Starting this year as a defending state champion presents a new question: ‘How do you follow that up’?”
Dyska acknowledged that there are other questions about new leadership and what the reformed defense in front of Billy Johnson, the goalie for all those playoff shutouts, will look like.
For the big-picture questions, Dyska prefers to seek answers through the same processes that have made the Comets not only a state champion, but also a perennial powerhouse among Lackawanna League and District 2 big schools.
“As coaches, we still try to treat the start of this season like any other,” Dyska said. “We spent the preseason taking a look at everything and gathering information on our team. Right now, we are really focused on reinforcing culture, building an identity on the field, and helping players understand their roles.”
Johnson is one of six returning starters.
Seniors Joey Pivirotto and Jack Leuthe return up front. Senior Connor McDonald and sophomores Wes Illian and Lucas Samala are back in the midfield.
“We’re fortunate to have a lot of talented players who are eager to step up,” Dyska said. “Ultimately, we see this year as a blank slate. Our goal on the field is to win as many games as we can before the season is up.
“I know the coaches are all excited to watch this chapter unfold and see how the team grows as the season goes on.”
Senior Connor Hiller and Sam James, junior Owen Phillips and sophomores Connor Rooney and Sam Davies are returning players working toward landing starting spots on defense.
Other returnees seeking more prominent roles are junior midfielder Byrce Haldenman; sophomore midfielders Carter DeSarno and Owen Morgan; junior forward Praise Nti and sophomore forward Jayden Alu.
Griffin Frieder, Ethan Fanning, Miles Shoemaker and Pratik Adhikari are promising freshmen working at midfield.
The Comets were scheduled to open the season at home Sept. 1 in a rematch of the District 2 Class 3A semifinal victory over Pittston Area. They play at Valley View Sept. 8 in the Lackawanna Division 1 opener.
