Rain poured down on the Mt. Lebanon High School field as the Blue Devils boys soccer team faced Central Catholic during its annual Boys Night event. Supporters braved the weather with umbrellas and raincoats to cheer on the team and attend a special halftime awards ceremony honoring the memory of former Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association and district soccer players.

Hosted by the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association, or MLSA, in partnership with the high school boys soccer team, the memorial awards were presented to outstanding players from across the district who exemplified excellence on and off the field.

Created to pay tribute to MLSA and Mt. Lebanon soccer players John Doctor, Mark Leo and Evan Gingo, the awards were presented at halftime by high school soccer coach and MLSA Vice President Chris Clark, along with MLSA directors Jason Blezard and Mike Kovalcik.

At the center of the ceremony was the Evan Gingo Award.

Gingo, who played for MLSA and the Mt. Lebanon High School team, was a Mt. Lebanon graduate and a freshman at Slippery Rock University. A beloved son, teammate and friend, his memory continues to resonate throughout the community following his death earlier this year.

Finding a way to capture Gingo’s character in an award took time, thought and purpose. MLSA and Gingo’s parents, Matt and Leslie Gingo, ultimately chose to recognize the qualities that defined him: leadership, character, sportsmanship, commitment, teamwork, friendship and a positive influence on others.

Players receiving the award are recognized for more than soccer skill and performance. They are honored for the way they treat, support and inspire those around them.

Throughout his 10 years with MLSA, Gingo demonstrated a commitment to serving others. But it was his investment in his teammates and his easygoing leadership style that made a lasting impression on those around him.

During the ceremony, Matt and Leslie Gingo stood alongside the award recipients, supporting players who exemplified many of the same qualities as their son.

“Evan loved to recognize talents in his teammates,” Leslie said. “If they needed some encouragement, or if they were doing something great, he was there. If they were down about missing a goal, Evan would say, ‘It’s all right. I can play goalie and you kick, and we’ll practice together.’ He was a great teammate because he always seemed to understand how his teammates felt.”

Amid their own grief, Matt and Leslie said they are grateful to see their son’s legacy remembered in a way that can positively influence MLSA, soccer players throughout the district and the larger Lebo community.

“He was that teammate that built his friends and teammates up,” Leslie said. “He wanted to celebrate the wins and cushion the losses, then worked hard to turn them back into wins. That was just who he was, even from the time when he was little with his younger sister; and that’s the spirit of this award — not being in it just for himself, but for his friends and teammates.”

Working alongside Matt and Leslie to create the award was MLSA President Tim Defeo, who also coached Gingo. Defeo wanted the award to reflect Gingo’s character as both a player and a friend.

Defeo knew Gingo well, both as his coach and mentor. Defeo’s son, Noah, also was a longtime teammate and friend of Gingo’s.

“Evan was a big part of MLSA. He played every year, in multiple leagues. He was on our top travel team,” Defeo said. “But he wasn’t just a role player, he just loved everyone. When our team wasn’t playing well or we weren’t putting the effort in, Evan was, and he would get the team pumped up, but he was also silly and had fun with the team.”

In addition to the Evan Gingo Award, MLSA presented an award in memory of former Mt. Lebanon soccer player Mark Leo to a player who exhibits excellence in soccer skills and sportsmanship.

The John Doctor Award was presented to an outstanding goalkeeper who has demonstrated exemplary enthusiasm and dedication to the position. Doctor, whose name also is memorialized on a field at Bird Park, was an active member of MLSA and a passionate goalkeeper.

Gingo’s death deeply affected the Lebo community and those who knew him, prompting Defeo to find a meaningful way to honor his former player.

Giving back is nothing new for MLSA, which participates in service projects to support the broader community. But Defeo wanted to ensure Gingo’s memory would live on in a way that reflected who he was.

“Evan was a deeply caring person,” Defeo said. “I wanted to do something for him, so the award was an easy choice. I just don’t want him to be forgotten.”

Defeo hopes Gingo’s memory will continue to be honored in other ways throughout the community, something Matt and Leslie also hope to see.

Overwhelmed by the support and kindness they have received from the community, the Gingos hope to give back while honoring Evan’s memory through future efforts. In partnership with the Mt. Lebanon Community Foundation, they are exploring opportunities to continue that work. 

Award Recipients:

John Award:

Harrison Snyder

Mark Leo Award:

Atticus Fimognari

Evan Gingo Award:

(7 recipients, one from
each age group)

Emiliano Vasquez

Anthony Campanaro

Oliver Rosenthal

Desmond Casella

Owen Montgomery

Yuvaan Asawa

Colin Clark