Coaching soccer on Father’s Day isn’t a new thing for Lancaster Elite Sprinters head coach Josh Beers as a 30-year coaching veteran. But this Father’s Day will definitely have a different feel for the father of four who is coming to the end of the road of coaching his own children.

 

Zofia Beers is Josh’s youngest and this go-around with the Sprinters is the last. After winning the state Presidents Cup for the second straight year the Sprinters have won their first two matches and are on top of the five-team group.

 

“It’s a big deal,” Zofia said. “I think of it for myself a lot that this is the last time he’s really my coach but also for him coaching so many years for us.”

 

Zofia’s brother Moses Beers, a standout midfielder in college at Cairn University, also played for their dad and has also had an influence on Zofia, who has risen in recent years from role player off the bench to a playmaker and leader on the field. Her dad refers to her as the team’s metronome because of her ability to direct play and pop up in spots to make things happen in the attack.

 

“There’s a little bit of emotion now just because it’s been an incredible joy,” Josh Beers said. “I ask my kids every year if they want me to coach and I’ve told them I’m happy to step aside because it’s their experience, not mine. That they’ve said yes each year and that they’re so coachable has been so refreshing and so enjoyable.”

 

Beers has found a similar willingness to learn and grow from throughout the Sprinters roster and credits that for their run of success.

 

Though the ending has been already determine the outcome has not. For father and daughter, they would love nothing more than to add a regional trophy to the two state cups they’ve won in back to back years.

 

They can’t win a trophy on Father’s Day but they’ll get a day off on Monday with the final game to play on Tuesday to decide the champion.

 

“We’re all really thankful to be able to keep playing games and not have our season over yet,” Zofia said.

 

Zofia recalls a dinner table conversation around six years ago when the idea of her dad being her coach first came up. She remembers saying “of course” when asked what she thought and she still shares a similar enthusiasm.

 

“I love having my dad as my coach,” she said. “I wouldn’t choose anyone else.”