Back where she started
BUTLER TWP — The Butler soccer cycle is complete.
Former Golden Tornado boys soccer standout Troy Mohney took over the head coaching position for that program last fall and guided Butler into the WPIALplayoffs.
Now the girls soccer program hopes to capture some of that same karma.
Nicole Hilderbrand, a Butler Eagle Elite 11 player for Butler in 1999 and 2000, was hired Tuesday as the Tornado's head girls soccer coach.
Hilderbrand, who turns 24 Feb. 14, replaces Marlene Peoples, who resigned after seven years as head coach.
"It's special in that these people care very deeply about their programs,"Butler athletic director Curt Phillips said of Mohney and Hilderbrand. "They were both successful in college and they both were very anxious to become part of the high school programs they once played for."
Hilderbrand scored 15 goals and had 10 assists as a junior at Butler. She added 13 goals and seven assists in her senior year as a midfielder-forward.
She went on to become a four-time Northeast Conference all-academic selection at Robert Morris University and was voted MVPof the women's soccer team her senior year.
Hilderbrand graduated from RMUwith a degree in business computers and information technology education. She was hired to teach computer science at Butler Vo-Tech in December 2005. She became a math teacher at Butler High School this year.
"I'm excited about this,"Hilderbrand said. "I know these girls. I want to get this program back to the level it was at a few years ago.
"The talent is here. I'm not sure if the girls know how good they can be. I want to instill that confidence in them."
Butler made the WPIALplayoffs in four consecutive years under Peoples, reaching the state championship game in 2001 and 2003. The Golden Tornado failed to qualify for postseason play in each of the last three seasons, however.
Last fall, Butler plummeted to a 4-12-3 record overall, 1-9-2 in section play.
"I know this section and it can be won by playing with desire and heart,"Hilderbrand said. "It takes a lot of self-confidence to play that way."
Hilderbrand took Butler's girls soccer team to a 30-team tournament at Penn State-New Kensington two weeks ago. The Tornado finished fourth in that event.
"Marlene was looking for a volunteer to take the team and I wasn't doing anything that weekend,"Hilderbrand said. "That was a good experience for all of us."
Hilderbrand's only coaching experience was with the Under-11 girls in Northern Steel's soccer program last summer.
She played for three head coaches in as many years at Butler — Andrew Gillian, Rich Stover and Peoples — and was part of the group of players who began the Tornado's playoff run.
"That wasn't all that long ago,"Hilderbrand said."I know what it's like to play for a team that doesn't make the playoffs, what it's like to build toward the playoffs and succeed there."
