BRADENTON, Fla. – The 2016 Super Y League North American Finals’ United Soccer League-affiliated Pittsburgh Riverhounds U14 Boys picked up a crucial victory Saturday at IMG Academy.

Dane Beller’s late second-half score was the difference during a 1-0 victory against Arlington Soccer to move to 1-1-0 in Group C play.

The club is led by Head Coach Niko Katic, who also serves as an assistant coach for the USL side. Since joining the organization in 2009 as a defender, the Croatian transitioned into the coaching realm and has helped extend his role within the club’s development, including the Hounds’ presence in the Super Y.

“We love coming down here,” Katic said. “It’s a good development part for our academy because for our younger boys, they play in older ages throughout the summer, then come down here and compete at a high level against older kids. That’s always good for us and their development.”

The Riverhounds’ academy system was implemented two years before Katic joined the organization, and he says the progression has been strong with the way the club plays on the pitch.

“Every year has been a step in the right direction,” Katic said. “When we develop players, we like to keep the ball and control the ball with possession. Our first goal is to produce pro players out of our academy, and our second goal is to produce as many DI [college] full rides as we can.

“The little things mean a lot to us,” Katic said. “We introduced a Professional Principles League for our kids in the academy, which is an indoor league, 9-v-9, where there is no punting allowed and where they learn how to control the game. That’s our culture. We like to keep it on the ground.”

Several USL players have been in the coaching mix for the Riverhounds’ academy system, and the hierarchy of play from the younger levels to the professional platform is certainly one area Katic hopes will continue to evolve.

“We are one big family for sure,” Katic said. “Our pro players and coaching staff are involved heavily with our academy. I coach three teams in the academy. We have different pro players – Cory Hertzog coaches teams, Kevin Kerr – they all coach, but not to the point where they’re a head coach because of their professional duties. But they’re assisting us all the time.

“It’s great for the kids to look up to the players, which gives them that extra motivation. If they can do what they’ve done, maybe they’ll be there at that level one day.”