By Steve Svetovich

Last month, Holy Cross senior soccer player Ron Prislupski scored his 150th career goal, eighth most in state history.

And to make the achievement even more memorable, his freshman brother Jamie recorded the assist on the historic goal.

The goal came with his mom and dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles in the stands.

It was made even more special as Ron was taken to a hospital emergency room due to being hurt on a tackle the previous soccer game. The X-rays, however, were negative.

Ron’s ankle remained swollen and bruised for three days as he continued to receive treatment from three different doctors.

So it was extra sweet when Ron recovered to score his 150th career goal in front of family and friends at the home field of Schautz Stadium, Dunmore.

Holy Cross at 12-1-2 is the top seed in the District 2, Class 1A boys soccer playoffs.

Son of Ron and Katie Prislupski, the senior standout said scoring the 150th goal was special. “It was a special moment,” he said. “It was just amazing with my brother getting the assist and my entire family there.

“The assist from my brother was just awesome. My dad got it on video. My family watched it many times already.”

The 150th goal came in a Holy Cross win over West Scranton, 10-0, Friday, Oct. 14. Ron had five goals and two assists in the win.

Ron has a perfect 4.0 academic average at Holy Cross. He is a four-year member of the soccer and track and field teams. He is a member of the Foreign Languages Club. His best academic subject is math.

Ron is undecided where he wants to attend college, but has received several scholarship offers. He wants to play soccer and study finance in college. He is thinking of working in investments in the banking industry.

Ron is closing in on 50 goals scored this year. Last session he scored 72 goals when he was Times-Tribune Player of the Year.

He was All-State first team all-star last season and All-Regional in his sophomore and junior years. He was named to the U.S. All-American team last season. He was a first-team all-star all four of his soccer seasons.

The well-spoken, polite senior said he has learned so much from his parents. “They tell me to stay humble around my teammates and coaches. They tell me to never be content and to continue to improve.”

A striker on the team, Ron said Holy Cross soccer coach Joe Dodgson has made an impact on him. “He tells us to stick to the game plan and he highlights our strengths. He is the best coach. He is just awesome.”

The scholar-athlete talked about what it takes to excel as a soccer player. “Never give up is one thing,” he said. “You need great speed mentally and physically because you need to make quick decisions.”

The humble senior runs the 800-meter in track and field. He finished second in the 800 as a junior and third in it as a sophomore.

Ron talked about his goals. “First of all, we want to repeat as district champions and go as far as possible in the state playoffs.

“I want to play soccer in college and work hard at getting a good degree. That will prepare me for life.”

The senior soccer stalwart has more than made his mark at Holy Cross and in his sport.

“Going to Holy Cross is the best decision I ever made so far in my life,” he said. “It is like a big family. Everyone was so welcoming when I came here. I want my senior year to go very slow, because it is going to be so sad to leave. It’s all been so great.”