Coaches Association names Soto Field Hockey Coach of the Year  

Penn Manor coach Matt Soto has been named Field Hockey Coach of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association.

“We are extremely pleased to honor Coach Soto,” said Eric Hess, Executive Director of the Association.

“Coach Soto has not only established Penn Manor as one of the top programs in Pennsylvania, but also as one of the best in America. His commitment to excellence for his student-athletes is second to none.”

Soto, who has coached at Penn Manor for 13 seasons, led the Comets to a perfect season and a state title in what is considered the toughest high school field hockey conference in the country.

The Comets finished 28-0 as the PIAA AAA State Champions, District 3 Champions and Lancaster-Lebanon League Champions. It was the third state title in program history and the first time the team went undefeated.

The Comets outscored their opponents 148-5 and did not give up a goal in the district or state playoffs. The team allowed only three shots on goal in its last seven games.

The Coaches Association honor is the latest accolade for Soto, who also was named National Coach of the Year by Max Field Hockey. In addition, the Comets were the top-ranked team, and Penn Manor junior Emma DeBerdine was the top-ranked player in the nation.

Soto’s award is the third straight National Coaches Association field hockey honor for a coach from Pennsylvania.

In 2017, the award went to Sue Butz-Stavin of Emmaus High School. In 2016, Lower Dauphin’s Linda Kreiser was the recipient.

Congratulations, Coach Soto, on a well-deserved honor!