No matter the sport, Billy Stuski’s goal is to always keep the score as low as possible. As a goalie and a golfer, the Gloucester Catholic High School senior isn’t hoping to see high scores anytime soon, especially when he’s depended upon to make a big save.
“Ever since I was little, I told my parents I wanted to be a goalie,” said Stuski, who resides in South Philadelphia. “They knew that’s where my heart was.”
Stuski’s main sport is ice hockey, and he was drafted in June by the Lone Star Brahmas, a Tier II junior team in the North American Hockey League based in North Richland Hills, Texas. Stuski has nearly perfected the art of protecting a 6-by-4 foot net on ice over the course of his young life. Two years ago, however, he decided to put on soccer cleats and attempt to protect a 24-by-8 foot net on the grass for the Gloucester Catholic soccer team.
“I knew a little bit of the basics,” he said. “The first practice sophomore year is when I had to really learn. The first game, I picked up the ball when I wasn’t supposed to, and it caused a goal. There were definitely some learning experiences.”
He decided to dive into soccer further, as he had friends on the team and they were in need of a goalie. Although vastly different in style, goaltending in both sports has one major factor: Don’t let the puck or ball cross the line into the net.
Bill Gore, Gloucester Catholic boys soccer coach, said he’s been impressed with Stuski’s dedication. “He’s done a great job for us. … The fact that this is his second sport and he’s a leader is a plus.”
Stuski mixes in a third sport in the spring, playing golf for the Rams. He’s quite good at it, too, especially since he picked up clubs for the first time during his freshman year.
“It’s just a calming, relaxing sport,” Stuski said. “I mean, it’s aggravating, of course, but it’s a nice way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.”
Plush golf courses are a nice escape from the chilly ice rinks that Stuski spends most of his time at as a member of Gloucester Catholic’s ice hockey team and the Philadelphia Junior Flyers Midget 18U National Team. He has posted a .915 save percentage during his career on the ice at Gloucester Catholic and has been the go-to guy in big games since his sophomore year. A 31-save effort in a 2-1 victory in a packed rink over eventual state champ Saint Augustine Preparatory School was one of his best moments. He can’t wait to face the Hermits again.
Although Stuski continues to build his ice hockey resume, he certainly enjoys being on the field with soccer. The Rams were 3-3 through Sept. 24, which is impressive considering soccer is a secondary sport for most players on the team.
“We just go out there to have fun and enjoy it,” Stuski said.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
