ADAMS TWP — Tori Kopchak is used to playing a lot and winning a lot on the soccer pitch for Mars.

If Duquesne has its way, neither will change much for her in college.

The Planets' senior forward signed a letter of intent last week to continue her academic and women's soccer career at Duquesne. A 3.5 student, she plans to major in business, leaning toward marketing.

“In the end, I wanted to stay close to home and the academics and campus fit me there,” Kopchak said of Duquesne. “I visited, met some of the players ... I like what's going on there.”

Duquesne coach Al Alvine inherited a team that won just three games in 2011. In his fourth season, he guided the Dukes to the program's first Atlantic 10 championship and NCAA Tournament berth.

The team won a program-record 12 games that season. The Dukes followed that up with an 11-6-3 campaign last fall, including 7-2-1 in Atlantic 10 play.

“We're looking to do more of the same,” Alvine said. “Tori is a versatile player who we can put just about anywhere on the field. That will help her chances of playing for us right away.

“She brings speed and the ability to play in a wide area. That's the kind of player we've been lacking and she can plug that gap.”

Kopchak scored 89 goals and tallied 53 assists as a four-year starter at Mars. She scored 37 goals her junior season and found the net 17 times last year.

“Tori is a very good player, but she benefited from playing with a lot of other good players two years ago,” Mars coach Blair Gerlach said. “Her goal total went down last year because a lot of those kids graduated and we had to change our system.

“But she is an explosive player and she's challenging herself by joining as Division I program. I know she'll work hard and she'll be a productive player there.”

Mars was 63-13-4 overall in Kopchak's four years there, including 48-1-1 in section games.

“She comes from an outstanding high school program and she's a seasoned player,” Alvine said. “I've gotten to know Tori over the past couple of years through the recruiting process.

“She brings an incredible work ethic and she's not afraid of doing the dirty work, like gaining possession, being physical and handling the defensive end.”

Kopchak said that's all just part of the game.

“That's how we win at Mars,” she said. “If you're a midfielder, you pinch up and help with the scoring. If you're a forward, you come back on defense. You play a total game.”

Kopchak also considered Akron and UNC-Charlotte before deciding on Duquesne.

Two other members of this year's Dukes' recruiting class — Deena DeBaldo of Fox Chapel and Lauren Bell of Hickory — were teammates of Kopchak on the Beadling club team.

A former Mars teammate, Amber Fichter, will be a senior on the Duquesne squad next year.

“Amber's been fighting injuries since she's gotten here,” Alwine said. “We're hoping she'll have a clean bill of health by next fall. If so, she'll be like an extra recruit because she has the ability to play here.”

Kopchak scored 17 goals and had 21 assists as a freshman at Mars with Fichter as her teammate.

“I looked up to her. I remember how all the seniors helped the underclassmen,” Kopchak said. “I made it a point to do that this year as a senior. A lot of high school programs don't have that.

“It's nice to know a few of my college teammates, but I'm excited about meeting new people and playing for a new team, too.”

Kopchak is excited about one other thing.

Winning.

“If I can help the team win another Atlantic 10 title or two ... well, that's what it's about,” she said. “I'll be willing to help the team in any way possible.”