AH soccer keeper learns on the job

The strong youth soccer programs in the Abingtons are generally recognized as the spark to high school soccer success at Abington Heights High School. One player has bypassed the feeder leagues and jumped into one of the most pivotal positions on the roster.

Senior goalkeeper Justin Passetti picked up the game last year and has spent a season and a half between the pipes for the Comets.

After jokingly mentioning an interest in trying out for keeper to friends on the team, like David Cochrane, Denis Loboda and Ryan Kusy, Passetti, a seasoned track athlete, found a real offer right before practice began in 2008.

Mid-fielder Zack Shiposh sent Passetti a Facebook message while Passetti was on vacation, asking him to try out.

Though he missed the first week of double sessions, Passetti came in to compete with Eric Wasser for playing time.

Passetti progressed quickly, splitting time with Wasser by the halfway point and starting at the end of the season into playoffs.

“I think he’s come a long way pretty quickly,” said first-year head coach Steve Klingman.

Passetti, whose events in track include long jump, triple jump, hurdles and—his favorite—high jump, excelled immediately using his athletic build and speed.

Klingman explained that the prototypical goal keeper is athletic, fearless and has good hands. For athletes of other sports to transfer to keeper, Klingman said the good hands typically come from baseball or basketball players.

“Passetti might not be in the mold of a baseball or basketball player,” Klingman said. “He’s a big track guy, but he is fearless.”

Passetti has embraced the need to move quickly while in the goal, knowing a shot can come at any time.

“You can be on your toes one minute and the next you need to dive to the left or right to stop a ball,” said Passetti.

It didn’t all come natural to Passetti, who received extra coaching from former Abington Heights goal keeper, Shane Quinn.

Passetti worked with Quinn on positioning and decision-making. He learned when to attack a charging offensive player and when to stay on the line.

After starting through the District II playoffs last year and ending the season with a 1-0 loss to Fleetwood in the first round of states, Passetti came into his senior season prepared to retain his position.

“Once Passetti realized the job wasn’t going to be handed to him, he stepped up his effort,” said Klingman.

This season the Comets again won the district and fell in the first round of state playoffs. This year the season ended against Tulpenhocken 1-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Passetti registered nine shutouts this season, including the 3-0 win over Dallas in the District II Class AA semifinals.

Klingman was impressed with his inexperienced goalkeeper’s prowess this season.

“Ninety percent of the goals scored on him were good goals,” Klingman said. “Kids really had to work to score on him.”

Passetti will now turn his attention to track for the rest of the year. He is still undecided on where he will attend college next year, but is keeping the option to walk on as a goalkeeper open.

AJ Sports

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