By: Ray Fisher 
Sunday, November 26, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Quaker Valley’s girls soccer team finished as a WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinalist this season.

The Quakers ended up 11-6-1 overall after going 6-5-1 in Section 1.

“Rachel and I couldn’t be prouder,” said Maggie Behun, QV’s co-head coach with Rachel Loudermilk. “These girls stepped to the plate and exceeded our expectations. Their hard work and dedication were exemplary.

“We had freshmen successfully defending upperclassmen opponents who are D1 and D2 commits. The lack of experience didn’t slow us down. If anything, it sped us up.”

Quaker Valley blanked Section 3’s second-place team, Southmoreland, 7-0, in an impressive first-round performance. The Scotties ended up 10-6 overall.

Three of the Quakers’ losses in 2023 came against defending state champion Avonworth, which tied for first in Section 1 with North Catholic.

“Our goals for the season were to progress through our section and make the playoffs,” Loudermilk said. “The girls played hard all season to make that happen, and they entered the playoffs as a nine seed going against an eight seed. We prepared well, watched film and the girls brought it with a 7-0 win. I think that just shows what a tough section we play in throughout the season.

“Then we had to face Avonworth, the returning state champ, in Round 2. The girls were ready, though, to face them for the third time this season. Our girls gave everything they had and were up 3-2 with 10 minutes left. It felt like it was our time. We ultimately ended up losing 4-3, but in my six years with the program, I have never seen a QV team play like that. Maggie and I could not be more proud of what these girls accomplished and what it means for seasons to come.”

The Quakers started out 5-1-1 and 7-2-1 and were 9-3-1 on Oct. 9 after a 2-1 section win in double overtime against Central Valley.

Two of the team’s leading players were junior defender Mia Modrovich and freshman forward Annabel Miko, who scored a team-high 18 goals.

Modrovich was named all-section and all-WPIAL for the second consecutive year.

The M&M girls were joined in the starting lineup by seniors Megan Campbell (D), Mia Strelec (M) and Grace Waller (GK), junior Anna Hanley (F/M), sophomores Emma Currier (D) and Ariana Bosh (M) and freshmen Eliza Rahm (F/M), Hope Waller (F/M), Maddie Gatehouse (M) and Joelle Muretisch (M).

Todd Strelec and Jessica Gresko served as assistant coaches.

Campbell earned both all-section and all-WPIAL honors.

“Together, Megan and Mia anchored our defense and brought a certain intensity and toughness that was hard to match,” Behun said. “Individually, Megan has always brought up those around her through her play and smart decision-making. We often tell the girls to represent themselves on and off the field, and Megan does just that.

“Mia is a force to be reckoned with and one of the smartest defenders in the league. She is fierce, and her soccer future is bright.”

A 5-foot-2 dynamo, Modrovich scored six goals this season as a center defender.

“That is huge,” Loudermilk said. “She is the type of player who can change a game, and it is fun to watch.

“It was nice to have Mia and Megan recognized together. They dominated on defense, which allowed the team to focus more on offense this year, and that brought us success.”

Eight of the 11 starters are expected back in 2024.

“We knew what our team goals were coming into this season, but the team was so young, we didn’t know if we’d be rebuilding or competing,” Loudermilk said. “The way these girls came together as a team and competed at a top level showed us all we need to know for next year.

“We are losing three key seniors: keeper Grace Waller, defender Megan Campbell and midfielder Mia Strelec. That leaves a hole, but this young wave of girls coming up through Quaker Valley are competitors who will no doubt be ready to push each other. So we are excited for what the next several years will bring.”

Behan was short but emphatic with her response on a 2024 forecast.

“Our early expectations are promising,” she said. “Watch out for QV next season.”

Quaker Valley tied for third place with Beaver in section play.

Behind a strong defense and the 5-4 Waller guarding the net, the Quakers posted seven shutouts and held seven other teams to one goal.

Overall, QV outscored the opposition 40-17, allowing an average of less than one goal per game.

By: Bill Beckner Jr. 
Monday, October 30, 2023 | 2:32 PM

The All-WPIAL girls soccer list was announced Monday.

The coaches’ selections are as follows:

Lola Abraham, Sr., MF, Riverview

Abigail Allan, Sr., MF, South Allegheny

Gianna Babusci, Sr., F, Avonworth

Shaye Bailey, Sr., F, Freedom

Brooklyn Baldensperger, Jr., F, Elizabeth Forward

Grace Bannon, Jr., MF, Montour

Jillian Botti, Jr., D, Greensburg Central Catholic

Amelia Brose, So., F, Chartiers-Houston

Rylin Bugosh, Jr., F, Mt. Pleasant

Brooke Cacurak, So., D, Deer Lakes

Claire Cacurak, So., F, Deer Lakes

Ava Capozzoli, Jr., F, Chartiers-Houston

Megan Campbell, Sr., D, Quaker Valley

Serena Carnahan, Jr., MF, Plum

Bella Carroto, Sr., F, Charleroi

Daria Charron, Sr., MF, OLSH

Kate Chiado, Sr., F, Laurel Highlands

Aryada Chiploskey, Fr., D/MF, Charleroi

Sydney Chontos, Jr., MF, Beaver

Addison Conrad, Sr., GK, Charleroi

Jadyn Coy, Sr., F, North Allegheny

Mia Cyanovich, Sr., F, Montour

Callee Dalbon, So., MF, Bethel Park

McKenna Deunger, Sr., MF, Charleroi

Maeve Dever, Jr., GK, Winchester Thurston

Natalia DiSora, So., D/MF, Upper St. Clair

Sierra Dupre, So., MF, Upper St. Clair

Libby Earley, Sr., D, North Allegheny

Sydney Felton, Sr., MF, Moon

Giovanna Ferraro, Sr., F, Elizabeth Forward

Cameryn Friday, So., GK, Upper St. Clair

Kate Friday, Sr., MF, Fox Chapel

Faith Gartley, Sr., GK, OLSH

Morgan Gesinski, So., F, Mt. Pleasant

Riley Gesinski, Sr., MF, Mt. Pleasant

Addison Girdwood, Sr., F, Mars

Casey Gorman, Sr., F/MF, Mt. Lebanon

Marina Hahn, Sr., MF/F, Beaver

Marina Hajnosz, Fr., MF, Peters Township

Rylie Hall, Sr., F, Montour

Andrea Hamilton, Sr., MF, West Allegheny

Mia Humphreys, Sr., GK, Seneca Valley

Molly Hurley, Jr., F, Springdale

Miley Kariotis, Jr., MF, Burrell

Lily Karsman, Sr., MF, North Catholic

Morgan Keller, Sr., D, Freedom

Sara Kenst, Jr., MF, Hampton

Riley Kerr, Jr., F, Greensburg Central Catholic

Megan Keturakis, Fr., D, Bentworth

Camryn Klein, Jr., MF, Peters Township

Molly Kubistek, So., GK, Peters Township

Riley Kumer, Sr., GK, North Catholic

Sarah Kushnir, SO., F/MF, Shady Side Academy

Aris Lamanna, Sr., GK, Franklin Regional

Natalie Lamanza, Sr., F, Thomas Jefferson

Gabrielle Larson, Sr., D, Moon

Serayah Leech, Sr., GK, Moon

Ashlee Libby, So., F, Seneca Valley

Caroline Liptak, Sr., MF, Shady Side Academy

Peyton Los, So., MF/D, Freeport

Ella Lotz, Jr., GK, South Allegheny

Emma Luther, Sr., MF, Avonworth

Sami Maglico, So., MF/F, Thomas Jefferson

Fiona Mahan, Jr., MF, Avonworth

Karly Majeski, So., MF, Seneca Valley

Maeryn Mannix, Sr., MF, Upper St. Clair

Ella Martin, Sr., F, Blackhawk

Jackie Massof, Sr., D, Mt. Lebanon

Lucille McCargo, Jr., MF, Shady Side Academy

Mary McElhattan, Jr., D, Mt. Lebanon

Kate McEnroe, Sr., GK, Mars

Margherita Memoli, Jr., MF, Winchester Thurston

Emily McKee, Fr., F, Fox Chapel

Lauren Mealie, Jr., MF/D, North Catholic

Madison Meyer, Sr., MF, Freedom

Emily Mihelcic, Jr., D, South Park

Ella Miller, So., F, Waynesburg

Madison Miller, Jr., D, North Allegheny

Mia Modrovich, Jr., D, Quaker Valley

Marina Mollica, Sr., D, Moon

Ruby Morgan, Sr., GK, Trinity

Ella Neupaver, Sr., MF, Peters Township

Payton O’Malley, Sr., GK, Chartiers Valley

Abby Paterline, Jr., MF, Franklin Regional

Jiana Patterson, So., F, Greensburg Central Catholic

Rosie Pellegrino, Sr., D, Mars

Maddy Petruzzi, Jr., MF, Latrobe

Maggie Piper, Sr., MF, Mt. Pleasant

Maria Ravotti, So., GK, Shady Side Academy

Ainsley Ray, Sr., MF, Mars

Mia Reddiz, Sr., D, Chartiers-Houston

Regan Reilly, Sr., D/F, Latrobe

Robin Reilly, Jr., MF/F, Latrobe

Lydia Reith, Sr., F, Serra Catholic

Emma Reyes, Sr., MF/F, Woodland Hills

Kataira Rhodes, Sr., MF, Belle Vernon

Alicia Riberich, Jr., MF, South Park

Mylea Riggle, Sr., F, Armstrong

Macrina Robb, Sr., MF, Knoch

Ashley Ross, Sr., MF, Springdale

Briana Ross, Jr., F, Springdale

Abbigail Rosser, Sr., MF, South Fayette

Laurel Rummel, So., GK, Mt. Pleasant

Kylie Salopek, Jr., MF, Steel Valley

Sam Saylor, Sr., MF, Monessen

Aubrey Seder, Jr., MF, Southmoreland

Ellie Shanholtzer, Jr., D/MF, Upper St. Clair

Simone Sharpless, So., MF, North Catholic

Rayla Smith, Sr., F, Plum

Lilly Snyder, Jr., MF, Moon

Meredith Snyder, Jr., F, Winchester Thurston

Abbey Spalla, Fr., D, South Fayette

Abigail Stager, Sr., F, North Allegheny

Abigail Stalder, Sr., F, Aquinas Academy

Minah Syam, Sr., MF, Avonworth

Alexa Taylor, Sr., MF, OLSH

Emilee Tonkovich, Jr., F, Canon-McMillan

Anna Troutman, Sr., D, Fox Chapel

Katerina Tsambis, Jr., D, Riverview

Lexi Tylenda, Sr., MF, Shaler

Katherine Varghese, Jr., F, Sewickley Academy

Ayla Ward, Sr., MF, Seneca Valley

Leah Weiland, Sr., MF/F, Butler

Ava Weleski, Sr., F/MF, Plum

Camryn Woods, Fr., F, Freeport

Ava Yurko, Jr., D, Latrobe

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review Staff Writer. You can contact Bill by email at bbeckner@triblive.com or via Twitter .

FROM LOCAL DISPATCHES

OCT 28, 2023

6:41 PM

Freshman Mikaya Buchak scored two goals, including the golden goal at 7:32 of overtime, to lead Burrell to a 2-1 upset of Mount Pleasant in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 2A girls soccer tournament on Saturday.

The host Vikings (16-3) were seeded No. 3 and had not lost since Sept. 2. The No. 6-seeded Bucs (14-4) earned their first semifinal berth with the victory.

Rylin Bugosh scored Mount Pleasant's only goal in the first half. Buchak evened the game at 1-1 with a goal in the 45th minute.

Other Class 2A girls soccer

Shady Side Academy 3, North Catholic 1: Sarah Kushnir scored twice to lead the No. 7-seeded Bulldogs (13-4-1) to an upset of the No. 2-seeded Trojans (14-3) in a quarterfinal game played at Freedom. Caroline Liptak also scored for Shady Side Academy.

Avonworth 4, Quaker Valley 3: The two-time defending WPIAL champion Antelopes (16-1-2) earned a fourth consecutive trip to the semifinals with a narrow win against the visiting Quakers (11-7-1). Minah Syam scored twice for the Antelopes, including the game winner with five minutes left. Fiona Mahan also scored twice for Avonworth.

South Park 5, Freeport 1: The No. 5-seeded Eagles (15-5) earned a return trip to the semifinals with a convincing road victory against the No. 4-seeded Yellow Jackets (15-2-1). Freshman Ari Beck scored twice for the Eagles, while Faith Newell, Taylor Vargo and Avery Rispoli each scored once.

By: Bill Beckner Jr. 
Monday, October 23, 2023 | 9:21 PM

WPIAL soccer playoffs

Class 2A

First round

16-Yough (5-13) vs. 1-Avonworth (14-1-2)

8 p.m. Tuesday

Winner plays: Winner of 9-Quaker Valley (10-5-1)/8-Southmoreland (10-5) Saturday in quarterfinals

Players to watch: Brooke Wieland, Yough; Fiona Mahan, Avonworth

Throw-ins: Yough is the only sub.-500 team in the bracket. The Cougars have been shut out 11 times. A pair of wins over Ligonier Valley and East Allegheny allowed them to secure fourth in Section 3. … Avonworth, the two-time defending WPIAL champion, tied for the Section 1 title with rival North Catholic. Wins over Freedom and South Fayette stand out in the schedule. Mahan is an Alabama commit.

9-Quaker Valley (10-5-1) at 8-Southmoreland (10-5)

8 p.m. Tuesday

Winner plays: Winner of 16-Yough (5-13)/1-Avonworth (14-1-2) Saturday in quarterfinals.

Players to watch: Mia Modrovich, Quaker Valley; Aubrey Seder, Southmoreland

Throw-ins: Quaker Valley did not make the playoffs last year but rallied to tie Beaver Area for third in Section 1 behind Avonworth and North Catholic. They put up only 33 goals but allowed more than two scores only one time. … Southmoreland quietly finished second in Section 3 behind Mt. Pleasant. Lizzy Boone and Seder bring playoff experience to the midfield.

14-West Mifflin (7-7) at 3-Mt. Pleasant (15-2)

7 p.m. Tuesday

Winner plays: Winner of 11-Keystone Oaks (9-7)/6-Burrell (12-4) Saturday in quarterfinals

Players to watch: Jada Downs, West Mifflin; Maggie Piper, Mt. Pleasant

Throw-ins: West Mifflin won two of its final three section games to seal up fourth place in Section 4. Two of their losses came against Keystone Oaks, but they were one-goal games, including an overtime loss. … Mt. Pleasant had a remarkable regular season, outscoring teams 135-3 with 15 shutouts. The Lady Vikings finished second in the WPIAL last season to Avonworth. Morgan Gesinski had 26 goals and 22 assists, and Piper has 24 goals and 11 assists.

By: Tribune-Review 
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 | 11:12 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Lily Karsman scored the game’s lone goal and Rylee Kumer recorded the shutout to lead North Catholic to a 1-0 victory over Quaker Valley (3-1, 1-1) in Section 1-2A girls soccer Wednesday. Kathleen Virostek assisted on the winning goal for North Catholic (2-1, 2-1).