Quaker Valley girls soccer builds legacy in WPIAL championship season

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, December 1, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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A soccer legacy has been initiated in the Quaker Valley girls soccer program.

It was actually kicked off four years ago when Rachel Loudermilk and Maggie Behun took over as co-head coaches, but the legacy took a giant leap in 2024.

“We are so proud of the girls and what they have accomplished,” Loudermilk said. “We told them at the start of the season that they had the potential to be great, but that it would take hard work, focus and by them building each other up and pushing each other.

“And they were up for that challenge. They showed up every day ready to work, focused on winning the WPIAL championship and a state championship. We didn’t bring home the state title this year, but the girls felt the glory of winning a WPIAL championship. They have started their own legacy now for QV girls soccer, and they are not ready to take their foot off the pedal. I expect next year they will come out just as strong and hungry.”

Behun was just as passionate when discussing QV’s banner season.

“Rachel and I anticipated that this year would be exceptional,” Behun said. “Aside from having a super talented group, in preparation for each match we wanted to make sure we brought our ‘A’ game as coaches. We always made sure to do our homework and effectively utilized our players, making sure we had the strongest 11 on the pitch.

“Despite challenges posed by illness and injury during the regular season, we remained steady and made adjustments as needed. The girls worked through it and were formidable. We would often tell the girls to demonstrate their ability to succeed and be the best. ‘Confidence’ was a key word this season, and the girls demonstrated this throughout the regular season, WPIAL and state playoffs.”

QV shared the Section 3-2A title with Beaver, won the WPIAL Class 2A championship advanced to the PIAA final four and racked up a 19-3-2 overall record. The Quakers took an impressive 15-game unbeaten streak into the state semifinals.

“Although our season concluded prematurely, as coaches we are immensely proud,” Behun said. “The girls established goals and met all but one of their objectives: state champions. While disappointing, the girls now have a new set of goals to pursue next season: section champions, WPIAL champions and, arguably most importantly, state champions.”

Strong defensive play was a key factor in the Quakers’ success in 2024. QV surrendered just one goal in three state playoff games, four goals in 10 section contests and only 11 all year.

QV’s defensive rotation consisted of senior Mia Modrovich, junior Emma Currier, freshman Mia Duckstein and sophomores Eliza Rahm and Maddie Gatehouse. Both Anna Hanley, a senior, and Maddie Gatehouse, a sophomore, played a holding midfielder position for the Quakers, keeping their eyes on the defensive end of the field while looking to also provide some offensive punch.

“Our defense had been solid all season with 17 shutouts, including two in the state playoffs,” Loudermilk said. “The coaches and the team had a ton of confidence in our goalie and our back line, which helped us to take some greater chances on offense to find ways to win.

“It was really fun to see some different players in the state playoffs stepping up to put the ball in the back of the net like Hope Waller, Maddie Gatehouse and Mia Modrovich.”

After edging Burrell, 2-1, in the WPIAL final thanks to freshman Lily Baker’s game-winning score, QV blanked Fort LeBouef, 2-0, and Trinity (Camp Hill), 3-0, in its first two PIAA games. Erie Cathedral Prep stunned the Quakers, 2-1, in the semifinal round.

“We went into the game knowing that it would be tough, that Cathedral Prep was a skilled and disciplined team,” Loudermilk said. “But the loss definitely was a hard pill to swallow because we had opportunities to win and just didn’t get it done. It felt incomplete.

“That is why we are already focused and looking forward to next year. This QV team is not done making its mark.”

Modrovich, a senior midfielder/defender, led QV offensively in the PIAA tournament with two goals and two assists. Sophomore forward Annabel Miko accounted for one goal and one assist while sophomores Hope Waller (F/MF) and Gatehouse (MF/D) added a goal apiece. Freshman midfielder/defender Mia Duckstein also tacked on one assist.

QV’s sensational freshman goalkeeper Anna Hajok stopped 15 of 16 shots in the tournament.

“The hardest part about the loss is knowing that our seniors won’t step on the field with a QV uniform on again,” Loudermilk said. “Mia Modrovich and Anna Hanley were freshmen when Maggie and I took over as co-head coaches. So these two girls have been with us from the start. They were our rocks and we wanted that state title for them.”

Behun labeled the PIAA semifinal game a learning experience.

“It was a disappointing conclusion to the season,” she said, “but we learned a lot from this loss. There are a lot of takeaways. We look forward to a reboot next season.”

Tags: Quaker Valley