The Quaker Valley girls soccer team did not reach double digits against any regular-season opponent on its way to a 13-2-1 record and section title in 2025.
That all changed in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.
The third-seeded Quakers blanked No. 14 Southmoreland, 11-0, to advance to the quarterfinals Oct. 25 against No. 6 Central Valley.
Maddie Gatehouse, a 5-foot-1 junior midfielder, scored in the first half, assisted by 5-2 senior midfielder Ari Bosh, and sophomore goalkeeper Ava Hajok made it stand up as QV (15-2-1) shut out the No. 6 Warriors (13-4-1), 1-0, in the Class 2A matchup.
Lily Baker turned an individual highlight for Quaker Valley, the defending district champion, in her team’s first-round romp by netting a career-high five goals against the Scotties.
Baker is an athletic sophomore who’s made a name for herself at the Quakers’ attack position.
QV’s co-head coaches Maggie Behun and Rachel Loudermilk were impressed by her individual highlight-reel performance.
“Lily is known for stepping up in the playoffs,” Behun said. “She did it last year and as seen (against Southmoreland), she is ready to do it this season, too. Her performance was amazing, slotting five goals in what seemed a matter of minutes.
“Lily’s speed in the attack and ability to find the back of the net is impressive. We always joke with Lily’s dad, often questioning him after a big game and asking, ‘What’d you feed her?’ Well, we will keep his answer a secret for now; we take comfort in the fact that he is nothing but consistent in the kitchen.”
The Quakers led by a slim 2-0 halftime margin against what proved to be an overmatched Southmoreland squad.
“We are fortunate to have the type of team that if we feel like something is a bit off, we have players willing to step up and make adjustments,” Loudermilk said. “Going into halftime 2-0, we knew the girls had a lot more to give. We told them that if we wanted to compete in the playoffs, they needed to step it up. And they did just that.
“Putting nine in the net in the second half with Lily taking the charge with five goals and two assists and Mia Duckstein notching two goals and five assists — it definitely gave the team confidence going into the next round.”
Along with Duckstein’s two tallies, Baker was complemented offensively by Bosh’s two goals. Rowan Wallace, a junior midfielder, chipped in with one goal and senior defender/midfielder Ivy Armbrust netted the first goal of her varsity career.
Hajok recorded both shutouts, the Quakers’ 12th and 13th of the season.
“Our players, as they often do, worked together to achieve greatness — 11-0 was no easy feat,” Behun said. “Rachel and I make a concerted effort to foster an environment where teamwork holds the utmost importance. No single player is more important than the next.
“Teamwork is why we succeed. We’re proud of them for putting just that out on the field. We’re excited for them to repeat.”