The Patchogue-Medford High School Boys Varsity Soccer team had an outstanding season and their coaches were recognized for their excellent work this week.
Head Coach Tim Trava and Assistant Coach James Kelsh were named the Suffolk County League 1 Coach of the Year and Suffolk County League 1 Assistant Coach of the Year.
Trava is a 2023 Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame inductee. He graduated in the Class of 2000 and is considered one of Pat-Med’s greatest athletes. Although he stood out on the basketball court, winning the team MVP, he is a soccer legend.
As a senior Trava scored 19 goals, was named All League and All County, while also holding a 95 academic average. After Pat-Med he went to St. Joseph’s College locally because he wanted to play under coach Gary Smith, who was also a former Pat-Med soccer star.
While at St. Joe’s Trava held nearly every Golden Eagles scoring record, led the NCAA D-3 men’s soccer in scoring, and was a two time Metro Region All-American. He soon followed coach Smith as St. Joe’s second ever head coach and spent eight seasons at the helm before returning to Patchogue-Medford to coach his high school team.
This season Trava, as a coach, watched his player, Raiders forward Ryan Lazaridis, beat his long standing scoring record. With his 20th goal of the season Lazaridis broke his record that had stood since 1999. Trava said “I knew somebody would break it. I’ve had Ryan for three years now, and he was the perfect candidate to finally do it”.
Coach Kelsh has made an impact on the season as an assistant coach. Kelsh has an extensive background which includes being the Director of Operations and Events for SUSA Soccer Academy.