'I'm just happy for them'

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Anthony Pistelli helped lead Thomasville High to a state soccer championship in 2010. File photo

December 12, 2012

'I'm just happy for them'

VSU redshirt freshman Pistelli discusses Blazers’ run to title game

Clint Thompson CNHI The Times Enterprise Wed Dec 12, 2012, 06:56 PM EST

THOMASVILLE — Valdosta State is one win away from a Division II championship.

Watching from the stands Saturday afternoon will be one of the Blazers’ biggest chearleaders — Anthony Pistelli.

“From the beginning, we knew that we had the talent to do it. I don’t know if we really understood how good we were yet,” said Pistelli, a former Thomasville High standout in soccer and football, who is a redshirt freshman kicker on this year’s Blazers squad. “Last year, apparently, we could have gone a lot further and just didn’t finish. Now, we are finishing.

“I think we knew we could do it all along. Seeing it actually happen is just crazy.”

It’s been a roller coaster season of emotions for Pistelli, who was forced to red-shirt with starter Daniel Anderson returning for his senior year. Seeing the success the Blazers have enjoyed has made watching from the sidelines even tougher for Pistelli.

“It was a little hard at first. I was upset because I felt I should have started at the beginning of the year,” said Pistelli, who can’t travel with the team due to number restrictions. VSU is allowed to only dress 54. “I was a little bitter at the beginning of the season. The kicker now is a senior. It was his job to lose and he’s done well for us. He got hurt in the playoffs, but he’s back now.

“I was a little bitter at first, but the more time I spent with the team, I realized that they worked hard for this and deserve it. I’m just happy for them.”

The Blazers are riding a wave of momentum heading into their championship showdown with Winston-Salem State in Florence, Ala. VSU is 11-2 but has won nine straight, including last week’s 35-19 semifinal win over Minnesota State-Mankato.

For full details, see Thursday's edition of the Times-Enterprise.

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