Westmoreland campus clippings: Former Norwin soccer players join new teams

A pair of former Norwin girls soccer standouts has transferred to new programs.

Lacey Bernick and Katelyn Kauffman began their college careers together at Pitt, but the sophomore forwards have gone separate ways.

Bernick was looking for a full reset. She made the move to Akron of the Mid-American Conference.

She played a total of 20 minutes across two games last season.

“While my time at Pitt was great and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity, my mental health had declined and I needed a fresh start,” Bernick said. “With Jen Simonetti coming in as the new head coach here at Akron, she’s looking to create a new identity for (the program) and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of something that special.”

Kauffman also played in two games for Pitt, logging 31 minutes with one shot on goal. She transferred to Florida Gulf Coast, which plays in the ASUN Conference.

“I had a great experience at the University of Pittsburgh but wanted to give another school a chance,” Kauffman said. “I wanted to get away from home, the cold Pittsburgh weather, and move to the south; I always dreamed of playing at a school in Florida and was ready for the new opportunity. I wouldn’t take away my time at Pitt for anything I learned a lot and grew as a person, but it was time for me to make a change and try something new.”

Women’s soccer

Pitt-Greensburg: After back-to-back AMCC championship game appearances that followed a conference title in 2019, the Bobcats were picked to finish second in the preseason coaches’ poll. Additionally, senior Ashley Lucas was named the AMCC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while junior Nylah Pannebaker was chosen as the conference’s preseason co-defensive player of the year.

Lucas had 16 goals and 11 assists last season. Pannebaker was a key back-liner. Both were all-conference players, along with three other key returnees in senior Alexsia Barlamas, sophomore Emily Bonelli and junior Hayley Felix.

Seton Hill: Junior Madison Carr and sophomore Corynna Rotoli scored goals to lift the Griffins to a 2-0 victory over West Liberty in the season opener.

Carr and Rotoli also scored in another 2-0 win, this time against D’Youville.

Carr was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week.

Men’s soccer

Cal (Pa.): The 2022 roster does not lack local flavor. The Vulcans feature senior midfielder Jake Nebinski (Norwin), junior midfielder Zach Vanek (Hempfield), sophomore defender Wyatt Ramer (Greensburg Salem), freshman midfielder Riley Zimmerman (Norwin) and freshman goalkeeper AJ Visco (Penn-Trafford).

Men’s cross country

Saint Vincent: The Bearcats are expected to make a run at the PAC title. Coach Kevin Wanichko’s team is the favorite in the preseason coaches’ poll.

Saint Vincent last year was the conference runner-up, placing its five runners in the top 13 of the finals, where 99 runners and 13 teams competed. The Bearcats went on to place seventh at the Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.

Women’s cross country

Seton Hill: The Griffins were picked second in the PSAC preseason poll. The team finished second at the PSAC Championships and the NCAA Atlantic Regional to earn a trip to the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Women’s volleyball

Seton Hill: The Griffins won their first two matches, at the Davis & Elkins Tournament. They rallied past Glenville State, 3-2, before a 3-0 win over Virginia State.

In the opener, sophomore Paige Cole and senior Bobbi Rempe led the attack with eight kills apiece, while sophomore Abby Osterling had 20 assists and senior Carrie Leazer delivered 23 digs.

Junior Mara Yahner was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week. She had 37 kills, 14 digs and seven blocks in the tournament.

Slippery Rock: Senior Stephanie O’Donnell (Penn-Trafford) had four kills in five sets played, but the Rock fell to Ursuline, 3-2.

Baseball

Patrick & Henry CC: Career RBI leader Brandon Nania (Franklin Regional) is taking the interim coaching reins at his alma mater, Patrick & Henry Community College in Martinsville, Va.

His impact as a player and lead assistant coach can’t be overstated; the numbers do not lie.

He helped lead the Patriots to 82 wins, a region title and a world series appearance.

A two-time all-region player and former all-defensive team selection, Nania holds program records for single-season (60) and career (117) RBIs, career doubles (42) and career home runs (16).

He transferred to Winston Salem State.

Nania replaces Cody Ellis, who resigned to “pursue other opportunities.”

Athletic director Brian Henderson said: “This isn’t just another job for him. This is coach Nania’s family. I’m 100% sure he will give his all as head coach, just as he did as a former player here.”

Nania was head coach of the Martinsville Mustangs in the Coastal Plain League for the past two seasons.

“I’m thankful first and foremost to coach Ellis for giving me an opportunity to join his staff three years ago,” Nania said. “He’s been such an incredible mentor and an even better friend

Now, it’s my turn to provide the same opportunities for this group of young men and future Pats baseball recruits.

“I’m truly humbled and incredibly excited to carry on the winning tradition and to continue developing young men here.”

Field hockey

Central Michigan: Midfielder Carly Kubacka (Norwin) transferred to Division I Central Michigan after playing her freshman season at Division II Seton Hill. Kubacka played in 16 games last year (752 minutes) and took five shots, three of them on goal.