Over the past few months, Dave Weitzman received a friendly reminder on the benefits of coaching a high school girls' soccer team.

Weitzman, who last coached at the high school level in the 2000-01 season, was the recipient along with his players on one of the more memorable rides in the annals of Whitehall girls' soccer. It was just another in a magical string of seasons over the past few years in which the Zephyrs have reached the postseason.

After they captured their second PIAA District 11 Class 3A title in the past three years, Whitehall's season abruptly ended in a loss to Elizabethtown in the opening round of the PIAA state playoffs.

Any lingering effects, however, will likely be beneficial for a team that finished with an overall 19-6 record.

"It was really an exciting season," said Weitzman. "I really forgot how exciting high school soccer can really be. I was also fortunate to be around a great group of hard-working girls. Losing in the state playoff game was a big disappointment. But we will have a good core of players coming back.

"In fact, I really can't wait to get back into it."

Seniors Kortney Cunningham, Jude Luckenbill, and Maddy Walker were the stalwarts in the program over the past few years, and their play certainly will be missed. Cunningham scored 40 goals this past season, while Luckenbill was a mainstay in the net and Walker was a force in the defensive backfield.

"Those girls did so much for us," added Luckenbill. "We will be losing a good senior class. They all really matured and knew how to take their game to the next level. Those girls played hard for us all season."

Cunningham, following in the footsteps of all-time leading scorer sister Kayla, realizes the program is in a good state.

"We had a great season," she said. "We had some troubles along the way but we came through and won districts. It was a big move for us to get to states. What we did was a great accomplishment. I am proud of what we did and this program will continue to grow."

The Zephyrs will return a number of players with juniors Maggie Due, Ivanna Jones, and sophomore Cara Bonshak among those with plenty of field experience.

"We have a good core back and we have had plenty of interest in the program," added Weitzman. "We'll have some girls who will play in the offseason, and we'll be ready to go."