Taking it To Another Level
ADAMS TWP — Ellie Coffield and Gracie Dunaway have accomplished quite a bit on the soccer pitch together.
The Mars seniors have helped the Lady Planets go unbeaten in 40 games over the past two seasons, winning two WPIAL championships and now chasing a second successive state crown in the process.
They've helped the Beadling club organization reach the national championships in two of the past three seasons.
Next season, they are looking to accomplish much more and at a higher level — separately.
Coffield, a midfielder, recently signed a letter of intent with the University of Pittsburgh. Dunaway, a defender, did likewise with Purdue University.
“Those are two very lucky soccer programs to be getting these two young ladies,” Mars girls soccer coach Blair Gerlach said. “Both are exceptional players and outstanding individuals.”
Both hope to get on the field and contribute right away at their respective destinations.
“There's a rebuild going on there and I'm anxious to be a part of it,” Dunaway said of Purdue. “I love that campus and the coaching staff.
“It's the right feel for me.”
Dunaway also considered Akron, Cincinnati, St. John's and Penn State before deciding on Purdue. While undecided on a major, she plans to pursue something in the fitness/nutrition field.
Purdue was 8-9-3 last season, 3-6-2 in the Big Ten. Drew Roff will be heading into his fifth season with the Boilermakers next year. His 2017 team was the first Purdue women's soccer team to win 10 games in eight years.
Dunaway is one of eight recruits signed for next season. They come from six different states.
“I like what they're doing there,” Dunaway said. “I just want to come in, do what I can and help the team build success.
“My goal is definitely to play right away.”
Roff can see that happening.
“Gracie is an outside back that has all of the qualities we look for in that role,” the coach said in a prepared statement. “She defends well individually and collectively while also offering a lot going forward when we are in possession.
“Gracie is technically very good overall, however, one thing that separates her is her ability to consistently serve a great ball from the outside back position. The accuracy and pace of her delivery into the box is a real weapon.”
Coffield leads the Planets with 25 goals this season. She was Gatorade Pa. Girls Soccer Player of the Year last year, won the Moe Rosensteel Outstanding Player Award and was an all-state selection.
She has tallied 94 goals and 284 points in her high school career.
Before choosing Pitt, Coffield also considered Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Xavier.“I wanted to go to either the ACC or Big Ten,” Coffield said. “They are both outstanding conferences for soccer.“Pitt is close to home and that's important to me. And I can't wait to be coached by Randy.”Randy Waldrum will be entering his third year at Pitt and is working on rebuilding a program that went winless (0-25-3) for three years in the ACC before finishing 2-6-2 in conference play last year.“He's one of the best coaches in the country,” Coffield enthused.Waldrum is 14th on the NCAA women's soccer all-time list with 408 career wins and is sixth among active coaches. He led Notre Dame to two national championships and eight NCAA Final Four appearances. He is also the winningest women's soccer coach at Baylor and Tulsa.Coffield plans to major in the nutrition science field. Both of her parents were Pitt athletes. Her father, Grant, was a kicker for the Panther football team in 1997. Her mother, Kelly, lettered four years in volleyball.Coffield is part of an 11-player recruiting class at Pitt — including two girls from Norwin and a pair from North Allegheny. She is among nine of those recruits who will be enrolled at Pitt come spring as her course requirements in high school will soon be completed.“I want to be ready, be as prepared as possible to play,” Coffield said.Waldrum is looking forward to her arrival.“Ellie is an exceptional talent, one of the best players coming out of Pennsylvania,” he said in a prepared statement. “She has a sophistication to her game with an elite level soccer IQ and technical ability on the ball, with excellent passing range and vision.“She's a competitor and high character individual ... she will impact our program from Day One.”Gerlach knows he's losing two exceptional talents in Dunaway and Coffield.The soccer world is not.“Those two have a lot more to give,” he said.
