Adam Waigand sure knows how to go out in style.

The Seneca Valley graduate and senior stopper for the Pennsylvania College of Technology men's soccer team scored the winning goal in the Wildcats' 4-3 triumph over Manor College in the Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association's state title game recently.

Just three days later, he was named to the All-PCAA team after helping the program to its best finish ever (19-2).

"It all meant a lot to me," said Waigand, who is a residential construction management major at the Williamsport school. "Knowing that I'll probably never play competitively again, it was a good way to end my soccer career."

The Wildcats were tied at 1 with Manor at the end of regulation and the game was decided by penalty kicks, with Waigand scoring the decisive goal.

"Adam is a very strong player," said Wildcats coach Andy Richardson, the team's only coach in its 13-year history. "He was able to track the opponents' better players very well this year."

The team's achievements helped Richardson win PCAA Coach of the Year honors.

The Pennsylvania College of Technology is an extension of Penn State University, but its athletes have just two years of eligibility.

Waigand started last year on a team that finished 16-3 after losing to Penn State-Berks in the state semifinals.

"We've had some good teams before this year," said Richardson. "We won our first state title in 2000, but this year's team was the best we've had with the 19-2 record."

Growing up in Ohio, Waigand played on several club and cup soccer teams, including the Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Premier team that competed in England in 1999.

"The teams in England are so well organized," said Waigand. "(Soccer) is the primary sport over there. All the kids grow up playing it.

"But we held our own. We didn't win a game, but I believe our worst defeat was 3-1."

Waigand and his family moved to Cranberry Township before his junior year of high school.

Over the next two years, he played several positions for the Raiders under coach George Williams, including outside and center midfield, and defense. He graduated in 2001.

"Being able to play different positions really benefited me," said Waigand. "It helped me to see the game from different perspectives.

"The fact that I came to (Seneca Valley) and was able to fit in with a group of players who had been playing together since grade school, that was pretty special. It was an excellent group of kids."

While his playing career might be over, Waigand doesn't plan to leave soccer for good.

"It's a fun sport," he said. "You get to meet so many different people and make new friends.

"Soccer has been such a big part of my life, I'd love to coach it one day. If I have kids, I'd like to teach them the game."