As the Cambria Heights Girls Soccer team heads into a new chapter, Head Coach Nichole Spanik reflects on an offseason rooted in growth, gratitude, and grit. From rebuilding after graduating a core group of seniors to nurturing new leaders, the team is ready to take the next step in their journey.
Offseason Focus: Rebuilding with Intention
This offseason is all about reconnecting and reloading. With the loss of a meaningful senior class, Coach Spanik is focused on integrating a new wave of freshmen while pushing for consistent improvement across the board. “We’re working on regrouping and setting the tone early for what we want this next chapter to look like.”
Team Events & Bonding: More Than Just Soccer
Cambria Heights maintains a strong presence at local indoor and summer tournaments, most notably the Summit Indoor Tournament in Altoona each January. The team also participates in spring leagues and wraps in team bonding events at local state parks to foster unity before the intensity of preseason ramps up. “Before the realness of August hits, we like to reconnect and relax as a group.”
Saying Goodbye to a Special Senior Class
This past senior group held a unique place in the program’s heart. “They were my first junior high group—five players who fought through tough seasons, only winning two games back then, and kept going,” said Spanik. Notable losses include:
Maria Wendekier – Goalkeeper
Emma Spanik – Center Fullback
Hailey Karlheim – Right Back
Hannah Hite – Striker (returned late from ACL recovery)
Their contributions set a foundation for future success.
Players to Watch: Rising Stars Ready to Shine
A new core is emerging, and Coach Spanik couldn’t be more excited:
Brooklyn Galinis and Morgan Ross – Compete at a high level with Great Lakes Premier I and contribute to the school team and local co-ed squads.
Kinley Rogal – A multi-sport athlete and spring league competitor.
Brielle McMillen – Excels in basketball, track, and indoor/co-ed soccer.
Emma Gilbey – Balances basketball, softball, and both seasons of spring league.
Hallie Hayes – A key player in multiple sports, with indoor soccer experience and now a softball focus.
“These girls have put in the work year after year. They’ve shown me what they’re made of, and I know they’ll lead the way in 2025.”
Training & Fitness: Steady Progress, Bigger Goals
While lifting hasn’t been as consistent as Coach Spanik would like, it’s on her radar for future injury prevention and performance gains. For now, the focus is on spring leagues, indoor soccer, and skill-building clinics. “Each year we do a little more, and we’re blessed with connections in the soccer world who generously share their expertise.”
Nutrition: Building Athletes for Life
Nutrition is an essential pillar of the program. “I feel a deep responsibility to guide our girls not just as athletes but as people. Healthy habits now build healthy futures. What we put into our bodies affects performance, but more importantly, it impacts how we live.”
Coaching Outlook: Growing the Staff, Strengthening the Culture
Coach Spanik and Assistant Coach Greg Galinis have led the varsity side together for five years, while Brian Hayes and Katie Brown run the junior high team. The current coaching duo is exploring ways to expand the staff to maintain quality across both varsity and JV levels. “We’ve come a long way—but we know we’ll need more hands to keep raising the bar.”
Community Connection: A Team the Town Rallies Behind
Support for the Cambria Heights program runs deep. “We’ve been lucky. Great parents, great fans, and an environment that lifts these girls. It’s been a joy to build this alongside such a strong community.”
Biggest Challenge: Never Settling, Always Climbing
The pressure to improve is real, and Coach Spanik embraces it. “You never want to plateau—and not go backward. Finding the passion to keep going and pushing forward, year after year, is a challenge—but it's one our girls are ready for.”
And with a legacy of resilience, a future full of promise, and a culture rooted in hard work, Cambria Heights is up for the challenge—together.
Their contributions set a foundation for future success.
Players to Watch: Rising Stars Ready to Shine
A new core is emerging, and Coach Spanik couldn’t be more excited:
Brooklyn Galinis and Morgan Ross – Compete at a high level with Great Lakes Premier I and contribute to the school team and local co-ed squads.
Kinley Rogal – A multi-sport athlete and spring league competitor.
Brielle McMillen – Excels in basketball, track, and indoor/co-ed soccer.
Emma Gilbey – Balances basketball, softball, and both seasons of spring league.
Hallie Hayes – A key player in multiple sports, with indoor soccer experience and now a softball focus.
“These girls have put in the work year after year. They’ve shown me what they’re made of, and I know they’ll lead the way in 2025.”
Training & Fitness: Steady Progress, Bigger Goals
While lifting hasn’t been as consistent as Coach Spanik would like, it’s on her radar for future injury prevention and performance gains. For now, the focus is on spring leagues, indoor soccer, and skill-building clinics. “Each year we do a little more, and we’re blessed with connections in the soccer world who generously share their expertise.”
Nutrition: Building Athletes for Life
Nutrition is an essential pillar of the program. “I feel a deep responsibility to guide our girls not just as athletes but as people. Healthy habits now build healthy futures. What we put into our bodies affects performance, but more importantly, it impacts how we live.”
Coaching Outlook: Growing the Staff, Strengthening the Culture
Coach Spanik and Assistant Coach Greg Galinis have led the varsity side together for five years, while Brian Hayes and Katie Brown run the junior high team. The current coaching duo is exploring ways to expand the staff to maintain quality across both varsity and JV levels. “We’ve come a long way—but we know we’ll need more hands to keep raising the bar.”
Community Connection: A Team the Town Rallies Behind
Support for the Cambria Heights program runs deep. “We’ve been lucky. Great parents, great fans, and an environment that lifts these girls. It’s been a joy to build this alongside such a strong community.”
Biggest Challenge: Never Settling, Always Climbing
The pressure to improve is real, and Coach Spanik embraces it. “You never want to plateau—and not go backward. Finding the passion to keep going and pushing forward, year after year, is a challenge—but it's one our girls are ready for.”
And with a legacy of resilience, a future full of promise, and a culture rooted in hard work, Cambria Heights is up for the challenge—together.
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