Abington Heights Boys Soccer: A Historic 2025 Championship Season

By CONALL LIVELY

PUBLISHED: November 24, 2025

The unforgettable 2025 Abington Heights Boys Soccer season has officially come to a close, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. From the opening whistle in late August to the final moments of the State Championship in November, the Comets delivered one of the most dominant and inspiring seasons in program history.

A Hot Start

The journey began on Monday, August 25, when Abington Heights opened its season against the Crestwood Comets. The team came out firing, securing a commanding 9–1 victory.
They rode that momentum to eight additional wins, outscoring opponents 40–4 during that stretch and recording six shutouts.

Responding to Adversity

The Comets’ first setback came on Saturday, September 20, in a 1–0 loss on the road to eventual AA State Champion Lewisburg. Instead of losing confidence, the team bounced back just three days later with a 7–0 shutout over Scranton.
From there, Abington Heights closed out the regular season with seven straight wins, scoring 47 goals and conceding only four.

A Memorable Senior Night

One of the highlights of the season came on Monday, October 6, when the Comets hosted rival Scranton Prep on Senior Night. Before kickoff, the program honored its senior class:
Matthew Bednar, Nico Bustos, Enzo Capozzi, Danny Dolcetti, Aiden Gardner, Adam Gomaa, Zach Magnotta, James Mitchell, Tanner Shane, Jack Walsh, and Derek Williams.
The team rose to the occasion, earning a 6–0 win.

Dominance in District Play

Abington Heights entered the postseason with confidence — and it showed.

• District Quarterfinal: 12–0 win over Honesdale
   
• District Semifinal: 4–0 win over Pittston Area
   
• District Championship (October 30): Despite cold, rainy conditions, the Comets defeated Dallas 5–0 to claim the District title and punch their ticket to the State Playoffs.
   

Making History in the State Tournament

Just days later, on November 4, the Comets earned their first State Playoff win since 2004 with a 5–0 victory over Selinsgrove. Jack Leuthe scored twice and added two assists, while Joey Pivirotto scored two goals and Nico Bustos added one.

In the State Quarterfinal on November 8, Abington Heights edged Blue Mountain 1–0 in overtime on a dramatic game-winner from Bustos. His performances during the early rounds earned him Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week (Nov. 3–9).

The Comets continued their run on November 11, defeating Harriton 2–0 in the State Semifinal behind goals from Bustos and Pivirotto, an assist from Wes Illian, and 10 saves from goalkeeper Billy Johnson — sending Abington Heights to the State Championship game.

The next day, November 12, senior captain Nico Bustos officially signed to play Division I Soccer at Lehigh University, adding to a week of incredible milestones.

Comet Nation Rallies Behind the Team

As the team departed Abington Heights on November 14 for Manchester — the site of the State Final — students, staff, and community members lined the halls and streets to cheer them on. Over 100 supporters attended a watch party at Tully’s Good Times, and a fan bus brought Comet Nation to the stadium.

A Championship Performance

On Saturday, November 15, the Comets faced undefeated Conrad Weiser in the AAA State Championship.

After a scoreless first half, the Comets struck quickly — just 2:49 into the second — on an unassisted goal from Joey Pivirotto. With 17:18 left to play, Bustos extended the lead to 2–0 off a free kick from James Mitchell.

Goalkeeper Billy Johnson capped off a phenomenal postseason with eight saves, earning Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week (Nov. 10–17).

When the final whistle blew, Abington Heights handed Conrad Weiser its first loss of the season — and secured the first State Championship in program history.

A Legacy Cemented

As the team returned home that night, the community once again lined the streets to celebrate their champions. Today, the State Championship trophy proudly sits in the display case outside the Student Learning Center, a constant reminder of the team's extraordinary accomplishments.

The 2025 Comets not only captured the program’s first State Championship, but also became the first Boys Soccer team in Lackawanna League history to win a State title and just the fifth team in Abington Heights history to do so.

A Season to Remember

This historic year wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of Head Coach Frank Dyska, along with standout performances from:

• Joey Pivirotto, team leader in goals and total points
   
• Nico Bustos, team leader in assists
   
• Billy Johnson, who recorded 50 saves and allowed only seven goals all season

….and the unwavering support of Comet Nation!

The 2025 season will forever stand as a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and community pride.

Congratulations to your AAA State Champion Abington Heights Comets!

Check out this video tribute to Boys Soccer's State Championship weekend and thank you to Ms. Owens and AHHS Media for this amazing video compilation: Comets Forever: 2025 PIAA 3A Boys Soccer State Championship