Herald-Standard Athlete of the Week: Roman George, Laurel Highlands
NAME: Roman George
SCHOOL: Laurel Highlands
CLASS: Junior
SPORT: Soccer
GEORGE’S WEEK: The Mustang forward scored five goals in victories over Charleroi, Uniontown and Connellsville.
He recorded one tally apiece against the Cougars and Red Raiders before netting a hat trick against the Falcons.
Laurel Highlands started its week against Charleroi on Oct. 5 with a 5-1 win in non-section play prior to a 2-0 triumph over crosstown rival Uniontown a day later in Section 2-3A.
LH trailed Connellsville at halftime, 2-0, before George and his teammates battled back for a 3-2 victory while playing a man down the last 43 minutes of the match.
The Red Raiders defeated the Mustangs, 5-2, in their first match this season on Sept. 15, but George knew Uniontown would bring it all in the rivalry match.
“I think in the first match against Uniontown we just started off really slow,” George said. “We were getting used to different people coming into different positions, and we needed to see where everyone fit in. Uniontown has improved as a program and the rivalry game is always going to be close and competitive. We both want it.
“We changed some things around the second time. We played the second match at home, and you are always more comfortable on your home field, but Uniontown always brings supporters who are loud. I switched positions for the second match against Uniontown.”
George scored all three of Laurel Highlands’ goals against the Falcons, but he wanted to emphasize the role his teammates played in the comeback.
“We have good players all over the field,” George said. “I like to pass, too. I tell our guys and the younger kids that I’m not taking the ball 100 yards down the field and scoring. Elliot (Boor) sent two perfect balls to me and Mike Aubele put it right on my foot in the match against Connellsville, and if you look at that game, it would have gone completely differently without (LH keeper) Danny (O’Neal).”
NO “I” IN TEAM: George leads the Mustangs in scoring with 14 goals this season. He has six assists on the campaign, but he wanted to make sure others who have contributed to his success were recognized.
“I know you guys did pick me (for the Herald-Standard Athlete of the Week) but without my teammates, coaches and parents, I wouldn’t have been selected,” George said. “Cole Radcliffe was our top scorer last year, but he graduated and left some big shoes to fill. The striker’s role is to score, and when you look at the statistics for soccer, it’s mainly goals and assists, which makes it tough to judge other contributors on the field.”
IN THE RIGHT SPOT: George has been playing soccer since he was 4-years-old, and always had a knack for putting the ball in the net.
“I have pretty much always been up top,” George said. “When you are a kid, you want to score, but I didn’t feel right playing defense. At times, I tend to get too excited and overthink things. My dad would always tell me to just take a breath, slow it down and not think about it. You need to just go on feeling and instinct. That’s why penalties are more definite. You pick a side and stick with it. If you don’t, then you start to overthink things and won’t be able to convert.”
IN THE CLUB: George began his soccer career playing on Saturdays in the area before moving to club soccer in 2021 with the Riverhounds Academy. He played for the Hounds until 2024 before switching to Century for a year. George has returned to the Riverhounds, where he plays as a striker or on the wing.
George admits to improving as a player during his time with the Riverhounds, which was a bit intimidating when he began his club career.
“It was another level of play when I joined the Riverhounds,” George said. “My development grew rapidly during my first several years with the Riverhounds. I enjoyed my time with Century, but the Riverhounds were more of a fit for me. When I played with Century, we would get home around midnight.”
SPEED KILLS: George has the ball skills as a finisher, but his speed has contributed to his success at tracking down through balls.
“We discovered my speed in track during middle school, where I set the school records in the 100 and 200-meter dashes,” George said. “I ran a 10.99 in the 100 and a 22.54 in the 200 during my freshman year, but I was hurt early in the season and out for the majority of the year. I also had soccer, so I decided that track wasn’t for me, even though the coaches have been on me to rejoin the track team. I think I am going to play basketball this year.”
George hasn’t ruled out playing soccer in college, but he will attend a school that best suits his academic needs.
“I’m not too sure where I want to go or what I want to study in college, but academics are my No. 1 priority,” George said. “My parents instilled that in me from an early age, and if I don’t do well in school, I will not be playing soccer.”