Moon Area coach Bill Pfeifer named NFSH National Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year
Bill Pfeifer has won accolades on the regional and state level. But being named the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year was a first for him on the national level.
Pfeifer was named the national coach of the year after Moon Area won the WPIAL title and PIAA state title in girls’ soccer after compiling a 26-0, undefeated record throughout the 2022 season. Moon winning both regional and state titles came back-to-back after winning both in 2021. Last year, Moon recorded a 20-1-1 record.
This past season, Moon only allowed three goals in net. Pfeifer said that the accolade isn’t about himself, but about his players, the support around the program and the community of Moon.
“It’s nice to see what we do at Moon is getting noticed,” Pfeifer said over the phone, hours after the news was announced. “There’s a lot of good people involved, so I’m happy for the program, not just me. We have the kids that buy in, the parents buy in and the support of the community. It shows the youth organization in a very good light. People here care about their kids and their future, and the success of the program.”
Pfeifer said that earning the honor is a little “intimidating,” but he’s happy to see the spotlight on Moon Area girls soccer.
“It’s not just me, it’s the whole thing,” he said.
Pfeifer said the news didn’t hit him immediately when he was contacted on Jan. 16, but he immediately told his team before the announcement went public.
“A lot of the kids reached out. A lot of former players and parents reached out, too,” Pfeifer said. “They still follow the program and see what’s going on. The program impacted them or their life in a positive way. It’s not just soccer, it’s more than that. The kids were excited, but they had their fun with it, too. They teased me about it too. I’m happy for them.”
When the announcement did go public, Pfeifer said that’s when it hit him that he won such a prestigious honor.
“It hit me a little more. It’s not just locally or statewide; it’s national coach,” Pfeifer said. “It put a little bit of a different spin on it. I can’t even put words to it.”
Pfeifer was among six coaches from the WPIAL that earned accolades. The others, who received Section 2 Coach of the Year titles, include Brian Blackwell (Boys’ Swimming and Diving, Seneca Valley), Luann Grybowski (Girls’ Basketball, Neshannock), Bob Marcoux (Boys’ Lacrosse, Mars), Suzannah Meyer (Competitive Spirit, Hempfield Area) and Rob Naylor (Girls’ Cross Country, Montour).
Pfeifer was selected from 23 coaches across the country for National Coach of the Year.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Moon Area coach named NFSH National Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year
