Derek Fulk does not own a crystal ball. But he is very familiar with all the characteristics of success.

With the Cocalico girls' soccer program, those characteristics aren't hard to spot.

"I wasn't naive about it," said Fulk. "I knew they were going to be very good. Did I know they were going to be this successful? No. You never know what's going to happen. But they had a very good season last year. I knew they had a lot of talent coming back. I definitely knew it was going to be a good situation."

In Denver, Fulk is the new kid on the block. Following a long and successful stint at Elco, Fulk is in his first season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Cocalico girls' soccer program.

While Fulk has certainly done his part this fall, the Eagles seemed destined for the marvelous season they are enjoying. When it came to success, the question wasn't if, but how much.

"We've played very well," said Fulk. "We're a senior-led team, and the seniors are good leaders. The kids, in general, have been fantastic. They do everything you ask of them, and they work hard."

Through its first 19 games this year, the Eagles compiled a 15-1-3 record, captured the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Two championship, competed in the L-L League playoffs and earned the number two seed for the District Three Class AAA postseason tournament. This fall marked the fourth year in a row that the Eagles earned a section title in the L-L League.

One of the keys to Cocalico's success has been the play of its 10 seniors.

"The leadership has been fantastic," said Fulk. "The coaching staff has done a tremendous job keeping them together. The kids' chemistry and character have been second to none. All of that weighs into the success."

Fulk is one of five coaches on the Cocalico girls' soccer staff. Dan Hogan has been the head coach for 27 years.

"(Dan and I) have been good friends for a long time, and we were rivals," said Fulk, a resident of Myerstown. "He and I always go to the national coaches' convention together. He's done a tremendous job with the Cocalico program, and it's not just Dan, it's his whole staff. He's very positive. He gets the most out of his kids. He's had success, and he does things the right way. That's very important to them and me."

From 2013 through 2024, Fulk was the head girls' soccer coach at his alma mater, Elco, where his teams compiled an overall record of 176-60 and collected nine L-L section championships and an overall Lancaster-Lebanon League title. In 2018 and 2019, Fulk's Raiders captured back-to-back District Three championships.

"I think being an assistant coach is probably one of the best jobs you can have," said Fulk. "You just get to coach. When you're the head coach, you have so many things to concern yourself with, and it's important stuff. It's your responsibility.

"It's just a different feel for me than when I was a head coach," continued Fulk. "I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I try to pick and choose my moments. It's a fine line I walk."

The last time Fulk served as an assistant soccer coach was 2010. He had stepped away from coaching soccer until he and Hogan reconnected this summer.

"Dan and I sat down and had lunch. I liked what he said, and here I am," said Fulk. "It was kind of mutual. I missed it, and we talked. I probably wouldn't have coached this fall if I hadn't talked with Dan because I didn't have any other opportunities."