The Lady Warriors have been through coaching changes periodically throughout their past couple seasons. This year the team welcomed Eighth Grade Social Studies Teacher, Mr. Justin Jones to its staff, alongside former coach Mr. Travis Heap.
“I was helping with the boys’ junior high team last spring and Coach Gorini invited me to help on the sideline with the girls’ team during games,” said Jones when explaining how he was approached about the position. “Many of the players had been members of the FC team I had coached and it helped with their transition. They ended up having a very successful season and it was fun to see them grow under the leadership of Coach Gorini. After the season ended, Coach Gorini asked if I would be interested in helping him this year with the high school and I was really excited for the opportunity to work with the team. Having taught all the players when they were at McCall it has been a lot of fun to get to work with them again in a different capacity.”
Jones played soccer for 10 years, and previously coached as an assistant at Bald Eagle-Nittany, and then Central Mountain from 1994 to 2005. He has also been a head coach of an FC Montour team for eight years.
Junior Adele Dunkleberger has been on the high school team since her freshman year and has been through all the coaching transitions.
“I didn’t have a reaction [when I found out] I just wondered who they were,” said Dunkleberger when she was explaining what her first thoughts were about the coaches.
“Mr. Jones will give direct feedback and Travis is very passionate,” said senior Mylie Herr when describing each coach’s contributions to the staff and the team.
“[My] first coaching position was an assistant coach for Coach Vic back in 2014 with this team (2014-2017),” explained Heap. “During those same years I took over as the head coach of the Montoursville girls basketball team. 11 years total of coaching, four with soccer, 11 with basketball, six of them with Penn College,”
Heap played soccer all through Montoursville AYSO, then onto FC Montour, eventually continuing his career through high school.
Both Herr and Dunkleberger agreed that their coaching styles are positive, helpful, and very beneficial.
“One of my main goals in the classroom is to help students become the best version of themselves,” said Jones. “I carry that same mindset onto the soccer field with the players and the team. In the end the program is about building character. It’s about hard work, accountability and respect. Those attributes lead to success and the Montoursville women’s soccer program has had tremendous success under Coach Gorini. I’m excited to be a part of that process.”
“A goal of the season is to qualify for district playoffs and making a run to states. I hope that my soccer knowledge can help the staff and players better prepare themselves for each game,” said Heap.
“[They] can continue to talk to players right away so they can improve,” said Herr, while Dunkleberger said, “[My goal] is to win districts [and] they can both help and encourage,” when they both were discussing the goals they had for the season, and how the coaches could help them achieve these goals.
Feature Photo (at top): Lady Warriors 2025-26’ roster poses for their team photo. This photo was taken by Albright Studios on Warrior’s home turf, and was provided by Brandy Bainbridge
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