Senior Spotlight: Saucon Valley Boys Soccer Players

Saucon Valley Boys Soccer Head Coach Mel Moyer provided the following comments about three of his team's seniors (in quotes at the start of each profile):

"Nate Schriffert has been our anchor in the back and we used him all over the field this year. He is a great team leader and captain."

Nate played for the Saucon Valley Travel Team as a six-year-old, the all-area select team in fifth grade, FC Lehigh in seventh grade and Lehigh Valley United from eighth through 12th grades. He handled the sweeper position on the Panther JV team.

A varsity player from 2010-2012, Nate has played "wherever the coaches needed me" on a team that has had three extremely successful seasons. The 2012 Panther Co-Captain's personal highlight was to play on the first team in Panther history to qualify for the state playoffs two years in a row. His lone disappointment was "not making the varsity as a freshman.'

Nate has been selected to be part of the 2012 Morning Call 1st Team Defenders All-Area Boys Soccer Team and the 2012 Express-Times 1st Team All-Area Boys Soccer Team. Nate was also the kicker on the Panther football team. On Oct. 5 he set the school record for the longest field goal (43 yards) in the second quarter as the Panthers buried the Salisbury Falcons, 38-7.

His favorite subject is history and his future plan is to enroll at a good school where he hopes to continue his football career as a kicker. His favorite holiday is Thanksgiving with its great food! Nate is a member of TOPS, whose goal is to help youngsters with special needs.

The Eagle Scout likes to play tennis and enjoys spending time with his two younger brothers, Greyson and Branden. His parents, Tony and Jennifer Schriffert are "at all my games" providing support for all his athletic endeavors. 

"Dan Thompson has been moved between midfield and defense this year and has done well with everything that we have asked him to do."  

Dan played for two years in the Saucon Valley Travel League and was on the Middle School team as an eighth grader. He has played three years on the varsity team and was senior co-captain in 2012.

The 2012 Scholar Athlete nominee lists the Panthers' 15-game winning streak, being District XI Runners Up in 2011 and 2012, and qualifying in both 2011 and 2012 for PIAA post-season play as career highlights. Not winning the District XI title in either 2011 or 2012 would be his least favorite moments.

"My dad is a great role model and friend; my mom helps motivate me to achieve more," he said. He also identifies Abraham Lincoln as someone he admires.

Dan likes music, teaches guitar and is a member of the Young Peoples Philharmonic. At Saucon he is the UNICEF Club President, active in the Model UN and the Scholastic Scrimmage team.

Dan would like to pursue a degree in international relations and hopes to play club soccer while in college.   

Dan has two younger brothers, Christopher and Joel, and is the son of Gregory and Wendy Thompson.

"Anh Nguyen has definitely had moments of exceptional greatness this year. On more than one occasion he has taken over a game. Anh played outside mid this past year and scored multiple game winning goals for us. He scored the second goal in the state playoff game against Tulpehocken."

Before entering Saucon Valley High School, Anh was playing with Lehigh Valley United. As a ninth-grader he started a few varsity games. During his varsity career Anh has been named Player of the Week and he scored in every major game this past season. He earned Honorable Mention Morning Call 2012 All-Area Boys Soccer Team and made the 2012 Express-Times 2nd Team All-Area Boys Soccer Team. The Panther midfielder ranked 19th among the Final All-Area Scoring Leaders (14 goals, 2 assists, 30 points). His favorite professional player is Cristiano Ronaldo.

Anh would like to enroll in a four-year college in preparation for attending medical school, in order to eventually become an orthopedic surgeon. Biology and human anatomy are his favorite subjects. Salmon is on his favorite food list.

Anh has a younger brother, Khae, and is the son of Lap Nguyen and Hanh Tran.   

Also playing a role in the success of the 2012 team were seniors:

"Kyle Lysek converted to offense this year and has been very productive on the field. He has scored five goals and is a very speedy player off of the bench."

"Rolando Garcia does a great job at forward and has set up at least two game winning goals this season."