Tamaqua Area School District

Tamaqua Area High School Soccer Hall of Fame Inducts 6 into Inaugural Class

The Tamaqua Area High School Soccer Hall of Fame inducted its first class on Saturday, October 16^th at halftime of the 5^th Annual Tamaqua Area Soccer Alumni Game.

The inductees were Matthew Bobick (class of 1997), John Henne (class of 2001), Rachel Holmberg (class of 2003), Erika Loving (class of 2004), Amanda Breiner Peters (class of 2004), and Jason Yarish (class of 1997).

Inductees received an individual plaque with his or her name and additionally his or her name will be displayed on a Soccer Hall of Fame plaque in the high school.

The 5^th Annual Tamaqua Area Soccer Alumni Game was played on Saturday October 16^th.  The game featured over 40 boys and girls soccer alumni players representing the class of 1994 through 2010.  Participation in the Alumni game is a fundraiser with the proceeds benefitting the Tamaqua Boys and Girls High School Soccer programs.  For information regarding the Tamaqua Area High School Soccer Hall of Fame or Tamaqua Soccer Alumni Game please email TamaquaAreaSoccerAlumni@gmail.com.

Matthew Bobick

Bobick, a 1997 graduate, was a starter for 4 years and captain for 4 years while controlling the midfield at Tamaqua.  He was elected to All League teams in 1994, 1995, and 1996.  He led the offensive scoring attack for Tamaqua’s first win, first winning season, and first District XI playoff appearance.  He registered the first hat trick in Tamaqua High School Soccer history.  Upon graduation, he held the record for goals in a season (29) and career (62).  He currently ranks 2^nd at Tamaqua for goals in a season and 3^rd for goals in a career.

Matt lives in Knoxville TN with his wife Tina.

John Henne

Henne, a 2001 graduate, was a starter for 3 years, captain for 2 years, and was a standout forward and midfielder during his tenure at Tamaqua.  He was elected to All League teams in 1998, 1999, and 2000 and was a Pottsville Republican All-County selection in 1999 and 2000.  He received the Times News Soccer Play of the Year award in 1999 and 2000, Pottsville Republican Co-Player of the Year in 2000 and has been honored as a Blue Ridge TV Player of the Week and Allentown Morning Call Player of the Week.  John graduated with and still holds the school record for goals in a game (7), goals in a season (36), and career goals (85), and is in the PSCA record book for single season and career goals.

John lives in New Oxford PA with his wife Jessica and continues to be involved with soccer as a PIAA referee.

Rachel Holmberg

Holmberg, a 2003 graduate, was the Tamaqua girl’s starting goalkeeper for 4 years and captain for 2 years.  She recorded 29 career wins as a goalie, a school record when she graduated, and was elected to the All League team in 2002. She kept goal for Tamaqua’s first winning season and first District XI and State playoff appearance.  She tallied 331 career saves, a Tamaqua record upon graduation, and was listed in the PSCA record book for career saves. 

Rachel currently resides in Plains PA.

1^st tamaqua female to play at collegiate level.

Erika Loving

Loving, a 2004 graduate, was a starter for 4 years while playing defense and midfield at Tamaqua.  She was elected to the All League team in 2002 and received the 2003 Tamaqua Girls Soccer League Award at the Tamaqua Student Achievement Dinner.  As team leader, she heavily contributed to Tamaqua’s first winning season and first District XI and State playoff appearance.  When she graduated, she ranked 3^rd all time in career goals with 27.

Erika currently resides in Tamaqua PA.

Amanda Breiner Peters

Peters, a 2004 graduate, was a starter for 4 years, captain for 2 years while running the midfield at Tamaqua.  She was elected to All League teams in 2001, 2002, and 2003.  She was a leader of the team for Tamaqua’s first winning season and first District XI and State playoff appearances.  At the time she graduated, she ranked 2^nd with 32 career goals.  She is in the PSCA record book for assists in a career (30).

Amanda lives in Tamaqua PA with her husband Dylan and is head coach for the Tamaqua Youth Soccer U-13 girl’s team.

Jason Yarish

Yarish, a 1997 graduate, was a starter for 4 years, captain for 3 years and was the anchor of the Tamaqua defense during his years at Tamaqua.  He was elected to All League teams in 1995 and 1996.  He was a defender for Tamaqua’s first win, and the sweeper for Tamaqua’s first winning season and first District XI playoff appearance.  Jason has 5 career goals while playing defense including the 2^nd goal in Tamaqua High School soccer history and 1 playoff goal.