New coach J.R. Little aims to maintain level of success with Moon girls soccer

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 11, 2018 | 5:03 PM

Taking over for a head coach who led a program to consecutive WPIAL and PIAA titles and entered the season on a 44-game winning streak should be an intimidating task.

First-year Moon girls soccer coach J.R. Little’s thought process is to the contrary. The first-time head coach thinks the foundation currently in place will lead to a lasting relationship.

“I’m not one to think about I’m under ‘X’ amount of pressure,” Little said. “It was more of I’m taking over a program where the administration, the parents and the players really care.

“For me, it wasn’t I’m going to be under a lot of pressure of this program that has been successful. Everyone cares here so we can build something, and we already have a good soccer culture, and taking over something like that is exciting.”

Putting his stamp on the program and implementing his on-field philosophies have been at the forefront of Little’s mind.

“When you coach and teach your philosophies and start to see that come together in practices and in games, that absolutely is something as a coach that makes you happy,” he said. “Taking over a program or any team, that is what I want to see. It’s starting to happen.”

Having expectations in the back of your mind is one thing. But for Little and company, replacing Delaney Snyder (Louisville), who scored a team-best 45 goals, is another obstacle.

Again, Little said he’s certain the team as a whole can fill the void left by Snyder whether it’s one player scoring a vast majority of the goals, or five players scoring a handful of goals together.

Little has the players in place to continue the success, even though the team made the jump from Class 3A to 4A this season.

Seniors Ellie Hill and Abby McEnroe will serve as leaders and coaches on the field. Hill, a defender, and McEnroe, a midfielder, bring an experience that can’t be recreated.

“We definitely had strong leaders on the field last year that is irreplaceable,” Hill said. “We struggled with goal scoring early on, but we have players who can go out and put it together and keep working at it.”

Juniors Chloe Kuminkoski (midfielder) and Kylee Evans (defense) have started every game since their freshman year. Little expects Kuninkoski to roam the field and show her versatility, and Evans will use her soccer IQ to be a key cog on the back line.

Little said the biggest luxury he has as a new coach is the stability of an experienced goalkeeper in senior Maddy Sleva. He said Sleva uses her soccer intelligence to make the tough saves look easy.

The Tigers (2-1-1, 1-1-1 Section 2-4A) suffered a rare loss to Mt. Lebanon, 1-0, on Tuesday, snapping a 46-game unbeaten streak.

They will use a wealth of experience, knowledge and talent to compete this season. Little said their depth and diversity of play will make them difficult to game plan for.

“We will try to be skillful, but be diverse enough that if the game becomes too direct, we know how to adjust to that,” he said. “If teams want to play skillful and we need to be defensive.

“We will be feisty and energetic at the same time because of our younger players.”

Brian Graham is a freelance writer.

Tags: Moon