Nov 10, 2025 By Jonathan Guth 3 min read

Soccer is in Cole Radcliffe’s blood.

The Laurel Highlands senior has been playing the sport since he was five-years-old after watching his siblings play.

“My sister, Jocelyn, and brother, Harry, played so soccer is definitely in the family,” Radcliffe said. “Harry transitioned from soccer to football, and now he is the kicker at Cal U.”

Radcliffe must have learned from Harry and Jocelyn, as he set the Mustangs’ record for goals in a season this year with 37.

Radcliffe’s ability to put the ball in the back of the net helped Laurel Highlands qualify for the WPIAL playoffs in Class 3A.

The Mustangs’ striker has been named the Player of the Year on the Herald-Standard All-Area Boys Soccer Team.

Radcliffe grew up playing forward, and he has polished his game at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy.

“I was one of the faster kids growing up, so the coaches would put me on offense,” said Radcliffe in regard to what led him to be a forward. “I have also learned a lot from the Riverhounds Academy. Some of the best players in the WPIAL play for the Riverhounds Academy, and the high level of competition night-in and night-out has made me a better player. I just want to do what’s best for the team.”

Radcliffe gushed over the accolades he has received this year.

“I am glad to have the goal-scoring record at Laurel Highlands,” Radcliffe said. “I was really excited to find out that I had made the All-WPIAL team. It is great to have the other coaches recognize me. Our team had a pretty good season this year. The last time we made the playoffs was three or four years ago.”

Radcliffe wants to play soccer at the next level, but he hasn’t decided on a school, as he is “feeling things out.”

First team

Albert Gallatin’s Talysian Guesman; Belle Vernon’s Logan Metzger and Jackson Pressel; Beth-Center’s Parker Amos and Nekoda Bundy; Brownsville’s Logan Chisler; Connellsville’s Dylan Shallenberger; Laurel Highlands’ Cole Radcliffe; and Mount Pleasant’s Damien Ohler, Tyke Snyder and Grant Zahrobsky.

Second team

Belle Vernon’s Morgan Bunch; Beth-Center’s Kaleb Amos and Acie Lawrence; Connellsville’s Jace Gratchic and Matthew Urie; Laurel Highlands’ Kasey Mahoney and Jackson Nairn; Uniontown’s Noah Holland and Braylon Woods; Waynesburg Central’s Brendan Cole and Blake Tennant.

Coach of the year: Floyd Snyder, Mount Pleasant

Snyder guided the Vikings to the Section 4-2A championship with a record of 13-1. Mount Pleasant earned a 2-1 victory over Elizabeth Forward in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs before its season came to an end in the district quarterfinals to Avonworth.