The Northampton girls varsity soccer team ended their 2013 Season last week with a 1-0 loss to Pocono Mountain West in 2013 District 11 AAA Playoffs.

The loss was a bittersweet end to a season that has revived the girls soccer program at Northampton as their 9-10-0 overall record is one of the best the team has experienced in recent years.

This playoff loss brought an end to coach Gus Belaires' first season as the head coach for Northampton.

Belaires came to Northampton with one goal, to bring life back to the program, but his early prediction that the team would make district playoffs this year was viewed with much skepticism.

"We really surprised a lot of people that didn't believe it was possible when I said we would go to the district playoffs this year," explained Belaires. "The team really exceeded all expectations this season. They played well above their level and really played together as a team."

Adding to the success of this season, Northampton's Leandra Sterner was named the Lehigh Valley Conference Most Valuable Player.

Sterner was a popular fixture on the soccer field this season. With a total of 23 goals and 4 assists, Sterner accumulated 50 points overall during the regular season. Achieving a hat trick not once, but four times in games against Bethlehem Catholic, Freedom, William Allen and ironically, against Pocono Mountain West on Oct. 11, in the girls' last game of the regular season.

In all four contests, Sterner's three-goal contribution was the determining factor in a Northampton win.

Belaires often commented that this was a rebuilding year, and it seems those efforts to rejuvenate the program have paid off.

Reflecting on the 2013 season, Belaires was pleased with the progress the team has made and he was hopeful for the future of the program.

"We got Northampton soccer back on the map this season. We have 13-14 incoming freshman next year, so that is good for the program. Overall, this has been a really good year," Belaires added.

Adding to the trophy case, Belaires was named the LVC girls soccer coach of the year.