Warriors ready to make an impact in 2A

By jose Negron

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Brandon Gerba has quite a few reasons to be optimistic heading into the fall soccer season. 

Gerba, Elizabeth Forward’s veteran girls soccer coach, has an experienced bunch returning after a year in which the Warriors went 8-8 overall and 8-4 in Section 2-3A play. EF advanced to the WPIAL playoffs before falling in the first round to Hampton. 

Now, moving down to Class 2A, the Warriors have a strong group of underclassmen in addition to an experienced core of veterans who have played in and won big games. 

It’s a recipe for what could be another playoff-bound campaign for the girls from EF.

“Of the 17 players returning from last year’s team, every single one of them got playing time and experience in one way or another in every single game,” Gerba said. “I had a small roster last year and everybody saw the field and was able to chip in. There is a lot there that I am banking on in order to make this whole Class 2A thing work this year.” 

Elizabeth Forward’s roster consists of six seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores and seven freshmen. The Warriors are faced with having to replace just two starters in Ashley Thaxton, a team captain last year, and Jordan Pinneri, who started at goalkeeper in her first year playing the sport. 

Among the more talented young players EF has is sophomore forward Bria Vahosky, who returns after leading the team in scoring (14 goals) as a freshman.

Vahosky could once again be entrusted with making things happen in the attacking third this season along with the likes of senior standouts Natalie Beinlich and Anna Resnik. Beinlich tallied two goals and 18 assists last season, while Resnik ranked second on the team with six goals. 

“Last year, Bria was my fastest player and her speed definitely played a huge role in her being able to find open space and create chances,” Gerba said. “Natalie has gotten tremendously stronger over the last year and she has worked her butt off to be more of that finisher she was when she was a freshman. She has torn it up in practice and then Anna is one of my fastest, best conditioned and most athletic players. 

“I think the three of them will pose a lot of threats for a lot of teams.” 

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