Excitement for WPIAL title defense builds for section champ Quaker Valley

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, October 19, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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They almost make it look too easy at times.

Oh yes, they work as tediously on the practice pitch, if not moreso, as any WPIAL team.

And as the defending WPIAL Class 2A champions, they are talent-driven with three seniors, seven juniors, 12 sophomores plus a small but strong freshman class.

Quaker Valley clinched sole possession of first place in Section 3-2A girls soccer Oct. 8 with a 3-1 win over rival Central Valley.

“Clinching the title against Central Valley at home was huge for the girls,” said Rachel Loudermilk, QV’s co-head coach with Maggie Behun. “Their excitement and energy was palpable.

“We hit a spot toward the end of section play where our level dipped a bit. Having a solid 3-1 win over a talented CV team, the girls found their rhythm and confidence again, which is so important going into playoffs.”

Quaker Valley finished 9-0-1 in Section 3-2A, ahead of Central Valley (7-2-1), Beaver (5-4-1) and Avonworth (5-4-1).

The Quakers were 13-1-1 overall with a 57-4 scoring advantage. They also held a 40-2 scoring edge in section play.

“Rachel and I are incredibly proud of the girls’ progress,” Behun said. “We joke every fall that we don’t have one or two kids, but thirty; that’s how proud we are.

“The girls set a goal on Day 1 to win the section, and that’s exactly what they did. This team has so much depth and as coaches, we feel we’re just tapping into it. We’re excited and anxious for playoffs. Watch out for this QV squad.”

The Quakers’ quest for back-to-back district titles heats up soon. The WPIAL playoffs were scheduled to kick off Oct. 20.

“The team’s progress is ultimately up to them,” Behun said. “Our girls are eager to secure another WPIAL title and embark on a successful run at the state championship.

“We, along with many others, will be supporting them throughout their journey. They truly deserve this achievement.”

Annabel Miko, a junior forward/midfielder, netted a pair of goals — one on a free kick — to lead the way for the Quakers against Central Valley. Junior midfielder Rowan Wallace also scored once and junior forward Hope Waller had a pair of assists for QV.

Miko (17 goals) and Waller (7) are the team’s top offensive players, complemented by senior MF Ari Bosh, sophomore F Lily Baker and Wallace.

Other offensive threats include sophomore D Mia Duckstein and a pair of freshmen, MF Kallie McCune and F/M Ella Plachecki.

“Annabel Miko, our leading goal scorer for the third consecutive year, is incredibly motivated,” Behun said. “She has an impressive total of 64 goals in her high school career. Annabel is a relentless player, always contributing in the attack.

“Unlike previous years, Annabel is not the only player in our lineup who poses a significant threat. Other notable players include Ari Bosh, Hope Waller, Rowan Wallace, Lily Baker and Kallie McCune. The depth of our offense is further reinforced by the fact that our goal-scorers are not limited to being positioned in an attacking role. Defender Mia Duckstein is one such player.”

Maddie Gatehouse, a junior, has a dual purpose at significant times on the pitch for the high-flying Quakers.

“Maddie plays a pivotal role in both the buildup of our offensive play and defensively contributes to keeping it out of our net,” Behun said. “Her exceptional speed and decision-making abilities are impressive.”

Behun has seen steady improvement in Waller’s game this season.

“Hope’s confidence and skills have improved, making her a force in the attack,” Behun said. “Unlike most offensive players, Hope doesn’t overthink her shots; instead, she just goes for it. We look forward to Hope slotting more goals in playoffs.”

QV blanked Beaver, 3-0, prior to the Central Valley game as sophomore goalkeeper Ava Hajok recorded her 11th shutout. Waller and McCune both netted first-half goals; Miko tacked on one in the second half.

Hajok allowed just one goal in September and one goal in a game four times all season.

“We owe a lot of our success to our backline,” Loudermilk said. “Ava, our starting keeper, has been solid since she came on last year as a freshman, and she continues to grow and improve. We have seen her become more confident as a leader on the team as well, so having just one goal against us for September and only four on the year showcases that.

“We have been pretty set on our defensive line. Having 11 shutouts shows their strength as a unit. We also owe a lot to our keeper coach, Jessica Boyer Gresko.”

Loudermilk and Behun credit much of their team’s success in 2025 to the performance of the defensive corps.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such a fierce back line led by senior Emma Currier,” Behun said. “She along with Eliza Rahm and Mia Duckstein are intense and determined. They work as a unit and make it difficult for opponents to get through and score. Emma is smart and experienced, Eliza tough and fast and Mia skilled and strategic. They’re fearsome.

“Rachel and I attribute a great amount of our success to our defense. We hope that every one of them receives recognition for their section and WPIAL play; they have earned it.”

Currier is a senior defender while Rahm is a junior and Duckstein a sophomore. Together, they form a near-impenetrable force on the back line.

“One thing we have found over the years is that it is important to have people you trust in the back to keep the ball out of the net,” Loudermilk said, “and to have people up top and in the midfield that you trust to put the ball in the back of net. Without both, it is hard to win games.

“We are lucky to have this group of girls that can do just that, which makes us competitive in every game.”

QV went through an impressive stretch of recording 10 shutouts in 11 games.

Tags: Quaker Valley