Quaker Valley finished with a 16-4-1 record in girls soccer during the fall season, advancing to the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals and PIAA first round.
It wasn’t the exact results the defending WPIAL champions anticipated. The Quakers had hoped to repeat as district titlists and go one step further than last year’s semifinal-round appearance in the state playoffs.
“Despite our season ending sooner than our coaching staff, team and even our great QV soccer community would have wished, it goes without saying that Rachel and I are incredibly proud of the season that our girls were able to produce,” said Maggie Behun, who shares QV’s coaching duties with Rachel Loudermilk. “The season was filled with both highs and lows, challenging us in unexpected ways.
“Battling tough opponents, injuries and illness forced our team to come together to persevere through adversity. We especially looked to our bench players, who stepped up most notably during our postseason run. Despite all these challenges, each player took the field with courage and an unmatchable competitive spirit.”
QV lost 2-0 decisions to both Freeport at WPIALs and Bedford in the state tournament. In between, QV eked out a 1-0 victory in overtime against Mt. Pleasant in the WPIAL consolation round that determined third place and a PIAA playoff berth.
The winning goal was manufactured by two defensive players, as senior center back Emma Currier scored off a header from a corner kick by sophomore defender Mia Duckstein in the 10th minute of overtime.
The Quakers also blanked Southmoreland, 11-0, and Central Valley, 1-0, in the district’s first two rounds.
Junior midfielder Maddie Gatehouse netted the winning goal in the first half against Central Valley with an assist by Ari Bosh, a senior midfielder.
“Overall, we were very pleased with the team’s performance,” Loudermilk said.
“We set out to play some bigger teams and compete at a higher level, and we showed we could do that. Toward the end of the season and in the postseason though, we experienced some injuries that affected the core of our team. You really need to go into the postseason playing at your best.
“With our injuries, unfortunately, we weren’t able to ramp up our play, and it caught up with us in the end against Freeport and Bedford, two very strong teams. But Maggie and I are so proud of every one of our girls. Some girls played out of position. Some girls played through injuries. This QV team really wanted to play for each other, and it was fun to watch even if we didn’t get the results we wanted.”
QV posted 14 shutouts in 2025, gave up only 10 goals in 21 games and allowed just two scores in 10 section contests.
The Quakers captured the Section 3 crown with a 9-0-1 record on the strength of a 40-2 overall scoring advantage.
Sophomore goalkeeper Ava Hajok racked up all 14 clean sheets and sparked QV to a sensational 0.4 goals-against average as a team. Hajok was complemented by Currier, Duckstein and freshman Kallie McCune on the back line.
Currier and Duckstein were recognized with all-section honors following the season, as were Bosh, Hajok, juniors Annabel Miko (F/M), Eliza Rahm (M/D), Rowan Wallace (MF) and Gatehouse.
The team’s three captains — Bosh, Currier and Miko — also were lauded as all-WPIAL selections.
“We’re incredibly proud of the QV girls that were recognized,” Behun said. “When Rachel and I found out, we had the biggest smiles on our faces. To say we were excited for the girls is an understatement. We could not wait to tell the team, and we couldn’t be prouder.
“The way our team was able to unite and compete not just with — but for — one another is a testament to the culture we’ve all worked hard to cultivate within our program and is something we will continue to be proud of throughout the offseason. We look forward to returning a healthy and rested squad to the pitch next season.”
The Quakers will lose three seniors — Bosh, Currier and M/D Ivy Armbrust — to graduation from this year’s squad.
“Coaching this group of girls has been so rewarding,” Loudermilk said. “As coaches, Maggie and I go through the ups and the downs with them together. It is truly a family mentality.
“Our seniors, Ari, Emma and Ivy, will be hugely missed. When the season ends, that is always the hardest part, saying goodbye to our seniors.”