WCCC Dedicates New Fields at Soccer Kickoff Celebration

Westmoreland County Community College hosted a Soccer Kickoff Celebration September 12, dedicating two new soccer fields and commemorating the start of the team's fall season.

WCCC faculty and staff grilled hot dogs at the dedication tailgate for students and guests. The dedication ceremony included remarks from WCCC President Daniel J. Obara, athletic director Richard Holler and head coach Tom Kennedy.

"We now have some of the finest facilities in our region," said Holler.

"These new fields are a great asset to our program, our student athletes and our college."

Obara sent out the ceremonial first kick to officially begin the new season. The women's and men's soccer teams then took on Penn State-Greater Allegheny, winning 9-0 and falling 0-1, respectively.

The WCCC soccer program entered its third season coming off of regional playoff berths from both the men's and women's squads. The men's team featured second team all-region star Phil Conty (Southmoreland) as he looked to repeat his success from last year. The county's best talent rounded out both teams including Paul Bialas (Derry), McKenzie Erhlich (Burrell), Brett Baughman (Latrobe) and Karli Holmes (Derry).

Both teams are coached by Kennedy, who saw success in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) playoffs while coaching the high school men's team at Greensburg Central Catholic. Kennedy has helped build the program from its beginning at WCCC.