Quaker Valley girls soccer counting on chemistry to make season memorable

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

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Maggie Behun and Rachel Loudermilk successfully coexist as co-head coaches of the Quaker Valley girls soccer team.

They provide a wholesome example of team unity in developing strategy for the QV girls.

Behun believes the outlook is promising for this year’s team.

“We have a young group of girls who are eager to step on the field and make an impact,” Behun said. “Practices are running smoothly. We are always looking to develop our girls’ skills, both technical and tactical.

“This year, we are fortunate enough to put a greater emphasis on our girls’ tactical skill — awareness on the field, positioning, movement and the ability to create opportunities in the final third.”

No fewer than nine players who saw playing time on the varsity team last year are back.

They include senior Mia Modrovich, junior Emma Currier and sophomores Maddie Gatehouse and Rowan Wallace on defense; senior Anna Hanley, junior Ari Bosh and sophomore Eliza Rahm at midfield; and sophomores Annabel Miko and Hope Waller at forward.

“We had a good run last year,” Modrovich said. “With many returning players and talented new players ready to fill the spots of those we lost, I think we have the potential to be very successful.

“My goal for the team is to win the section this year because I think we have the talent to do so. Our strengths have always been, and continue to be, working well as a team on the field. We have great chemistry on the field, and it helps us find success. We always bring a lot of intensity, which ultimately is what leads us to win those tough games.”

Modrovich plays club soccer for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and is a member of the Key Club and student council at her school. In the classroom, she has a 4.50 GPA.

She wants to make her senior season on the pitch a memorable one.

“My goal as a defender is to concede very few goals and to have more shutouts than last year,” Modrovich said. “Also, with it being my senior year, I want to just enjoy my time on the field while working toward being an all-state selection.

“This team has been such a big part of my high school years and although I’m sad it’ll be ending soon, I’m looking forward to a great last season.”

Hanley, like her teammate, believes a section title is within grasp in 2024.

“We definitely want to win all our section games,” she said. “The whole team is so excited for what’s to come, and I know we’ll have an amazing season. We all get along so well, and we love spending time together off the field. This allows us to connect very well on the field.

“I really want to focus on how we play together, especially in the midfield and including combo play. I want to be an active leader and help the team score some goals.”

Hanley also competes in lacrosse at QV and plays soccer for Century Steel. She is a member of student council and the “letters of love” club.

The Quakers kicked off their season Aug. 26 with an impressive 8-0 section win over Ambridge.

Miko recorded a hat trick to lead the way offensively. Modrovich, Bosh, freshmen Anna Custer and Sophie Rosselli and sophomore June Lukasavage clicked for a goal apiece.

“We’re early in the season, so we leave it up to the girls to work hard and earn those starting positions,” Loudermilk said. “No one is given a spot; it has to be earned each year, so we are still working on that piece.

“We had a successful season last year and with the talent coming in, we are looking to continue building on that. We have high expectations for this team. Mia Modrovich is one of the best players we have had come through the program in several years. She is the anchor to our defense.”

The Quakers advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals last season. After blanking Southmoreland, 7-0, in the first round, QV lost a 4-3 decision to eventual district champion Avonworth. Avonworth also finished as the PIAA runner-up.

QV qualified for the playoffs with a 6-5-1 record in Section 1-2A, good for a third-place tie with Beaver. Avonworth and North Catholic tied for first at 11-1.

“We strive for success and nothing but, and that is just what we hope the girls accomplish this year,” Behun said. “We really have a great group of girls. These girls are hard working, push each other to improve and are not afraid to ask questions. We love it. To our opponents we say, ‘See you soon.’”

The Quakers started out 5-1 last season and were 7-2-1 after 10 games. They posted seven shutouts and held seven other opponents to one goal.

In 17 games, the QV girls allowed just 17 goals while scoring 40.

Behun is expecting more of the same in 2024, leading to a strong run through the WPIAL playoffs.

“This fall we have five coaches on our staff — Rachel Loudermilk and myself as co-head coaches, assistants Todd Strelec and Jessica Boyer-Gresko and intern Haley Steffey,” Behun said. “We’re providing the girls with as many resources as we can and we’re all on the same page.”

QV is in Section 3 this season along with Ambridge, Avonworth, Beaver, Central Valley and Hopewell. North Catholic has moved into Section 2.

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