The name Giovengo has been synonymous with the Mars girls soccer team for almost a decade.

And it's not hard to find people who hope it stays that way.

Dale Giovengo, 52, who had coached the team since 1997 and totaled more than 130 career wins, resigned just before the 2006 season began.

"He's now in Washington, D.C.," said his daughter and current Planets coach, Susie Giovengo, 24. "He is in training for a government job."

The elder Giovengo broke the news to his players shortly before they boarded a bus for a season-opening road game at Southmoreland on Sept. 2, a game the Planets won 2-0.

"We had no idea he was stepping down," said Kaitlyn Angeletti, a junior midfielder for the Planets. "We're happy that he has gotten a better opportunity, but we were also sad to see him go."

"He told the players that, aside from being away from his family, not being able to coach them was going to be the hardest thing for him after he left," Susie Giovengo said. "It was definitely hard for him."

With the younger Giovengo serving as the team's top assistant, she was given control of the team. But whether or not she remains the head coach will be determined at the Mars School Board meeting Tuesday night.

"According to the teachers contract, we have to post the job in-house," said Mars superintendent Bill Pettigrew. "But (athletic director) Scott Heinauer and myself are going to recommend that Susie is officially hired for the job Tuesday night.

Susie Giovengo, an Indiana (Pa.) University graduate, is currently interning at Mars High School to get her certification for secondary education.

After playing for the IUP women's soccer program for four years, she was an assistant coach at Westminster College for two seasons. She joined her father as an assistant coach at Mars last month.

"Susie's been there since the beginning of the season, and we'd like to keep that continuity for this year," said Pettigrew.

Following in the footsteps of a great coach — Dale Giovengo coached the Planets to seven straight WPIAL playoff appearances and a district title in 2000 — can't be easy for anybody.

But his daughter brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. She also isn't far removed from being a great player for the same program.

When Susie Giovengo graduated from Mars in 2000, she was the program's all-time leading goal scorer with 67.

Only Mallory Bugel, a 2004 graduate, has more with 96.

"I really wasn't worried about the team moving on when my dad resigned," said Susie, who is being assisted by Chris Frank. "I've been around a lot of these girls at soccer camps since they were just 6 years old. I know most of them pretty well."

Mars is currently 3-2 overall and 2-2 in Section 7-AAA.

"It took a little while to get used to not seeing (Dale Giovengo) on the sidelines," said Angeletti. "But the transition was fairly easy. We all hope Susie remains our coach."

The Planets take on Seneca Valley Saturday before traveling to North Hills Monday.

Susie Giovengo is hoping to be with the team long after that.

"I would love to stay with the team," she said. "The girls are really making it fun for me."