Lady Hornet skipper Becky Kretschmer named AA girls soccer Coach of the Year

HONESDALE — Several weeks have passed since the end of the 2022 girls soccer season, but the awards and accolades just keep rolling in for Honesdale.

Under the direction of second year skipper Becky Kretschmer, the Lady Hornets were arguably the most improved team in all of the Lackawanna League.

The Red & Black battled their way to a highly respectable 4-5-3 record while playing in Division II against the likes of Lakeland, Montrose, Scranton, Dunmore, Mountain View and Western Wayne.

Along the way, the local lasses swept their season series against the Lady ‘Cats and earned an invitation to the District 2 tournament. Although they were eliminated by Lake Lehman in the Class AA quarterfinals, the Lady Hornets garnered a great deal of respect all around the area.

As a result, five Honesdale players (Ciara Young, Elizabeth Meagher, Anna Coar, Madison Meagher, Natalie Goldstein) were named to either the First or Second Team Lackawanna League All-Stars.

And now, Becky Kretschmer has joined their ranks having been voted Class AA Coach of the Year for 2022.

“I’m very grateful to be recognized,” Becky said. “I always coach with a lot of heart and put the best interests of the girls first.

“The girls represent me and I represent them. I think my fellow AA coaches respect that about the Honesdale girls soccer program.”

Impressive Resume

Kretschmer arrived on the scene as Honesdale’s newest head coach bearing an impressive resume … both as a player and as a mentor.

Becky was a multi-sport standout at Bloomsburg High School, starring in soccer and track. After graduating in 1997, Kretschmer attended Bloomsburg University where she earned degrees in biology and secondary education.

She boasts extensive experience as a coach at club, camp, elementary, junior high and varsity levels with both Honesdale and Wallenpaupack Area.

Before ascending to the top spot, Becky spent four years with the Lady Hornet junior high team and two as a varsity assistant.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” Coach Kretschmer said shortly after taking the reins. “I feel very well-prepared to step into this role after all of the groundwork laid down by my predecessors and colleagues from the programs that I’ve been a part of.”

Honesdale compiled a 4-9-1 record during Kretschmer’s first year as head coach while competing in Division I. The Lady Hornets moved to Division II when the circuit was ready-organized during the off-season.

The team now boasts back-to-back tournament appearances, having battled Abington Heights in ‘21 and Lake Lehman this fall. The next big goals are a winning record in the league and moving past the opening round in the Class AA playoffs.

“I’m excited because I have the best group of girls and coaches I could ask for!” Becky exclaimed. “They want to improve, they enjoy the sport and the season and they get excited just to be together. I’m just happy to be a part of it, as it has always been a big part of my life."

Praise and Gratitude

Diane Scarfalloto has been a fixture on the local high school sports scene for more than two decades.

A multi-sport standout at HHS, she graduated in 1992 after stellar varsity careers in basketball, softball and field hockey. She continued her athletic career at East Stroudsburg University before returning home to teach and coach.

Scarfalloto is currently Honesdale’s Athletic Director and impressed with the positive direction in which things have been moving since Coach Kretschmer took the helm.

“Becky has done a very nice job with the girls soccer program,” Diane said. “She definitely brings a lot of positive energy to the program.

“Becky continues to pull in large numbers of players. She brings with her a strong and knowledgeable staff, including Jessie DiPuma and Lauren DeGori, Maurice Meagher and Mike Wolfe. They all play important roles in the continuous development of our program.”

Honesdale High School Principal Dr. Peter Jordan couldn’t agree more.

“This award is well-deserved and well-earned,” he said. “Becky works tirelessly to make sure our girls teams is incredibly prepared … not just for soccer, but life outside of soccer as well.

“Becky exudes a passion for the sport and her players that is second to none. We are thrilled that the rest of the league has recognized Becky’s talent and hard-work. And, we have great pride in how Becky and her team represent our school in the classroom and on the soccer field.”

For her part, Kretschmer is sincerely grateful to family, friends, fans, parents, coaches and the school district for everything they do for the program.

“We have great community support, awesome parents and coaching staff,” Becky said. “Everyone gives it their all and sees the bigger picture. It’s all about the girls and their experience that will carry them into the future.

“I am definitely most thankful for my fellow varsity coaches: Jessie DiPuma, Scott Kehagias and Lauren Odell, for being available 24/7 throughout the season to listen and work together to continue building this program.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Lackawanna League Girls Soccer Honesdale Becky Kretschmer Coach of the Year