After joining the staff as an assistant coach during the 2024 season, Kent Dwyer was named the State High Girls Soccer Head Coach on Jan. 13. Dwyer also works as a Spanish teacher at State High.

Dwyer took over as head coach when Trevor Loehr stepped down from the job.

Freshman midfielder Abbie Lutz spoke to what Dwyer brought to the team when he joined the coaching staff. “He brought a lot of coaching experience and understanding of the game, and also motivation to keep trying even though we obviously didn’t have the best season,” Lutz said.

The Little Lions finished with a 2-17 record and closed its season with a loss to Altoona in the District VI Championship. 

Dwyer reflected on the outcome of the season. “In terms of wins and losses, it was far from where we wanted it to be,” he said. “But I was pleased with how the girls responded in a tough situation…which resulted in a playoff win.”

The team defeated Mifflin County 2-1 in the District VI semifinal prior to its loss to Altoona. Looking ahead to next season, the squad hopes to improve in what Dwyer referred to as a “rebuilding process.”

Lutz also spoke on what Dwyer emphasizes from a coaching standpoint. “We’re definitely going to be pushed to work harder this season, and he’s encouraging going to the Fitness Center and conditioning,” she said.

Dwyer mentioned the benefits on the field that come with lifting, conditioning and stretching.

“First and foremost it keeps them on the field. We dealt with way too many injuries last year…but many injuries are preventable because you’re doing the work in the offseason to put your body in the best spot to perform over the course of a season,” Dwyer said.

To Dwyer, the most gratifying part of coaching soccer is getting to know the players that he is coaching and watching them grow as players, teammates and people. With this, his coaching style is very player-centered.

“The coach can have all of the knowledge in the world and all the experience in the world. If he or she can’t make it so that the players understand and own it, then it doesn’t really matter,” Dwyer said.

He also feels that getting to know each player aids his abilities as a coach.

“I can’t give direct and honest feedback unless we have a trusting relationship. So really understanding, getting to know them [the players] and having them get to know me so that we trust each other and there’s that foundational relationship in there of mutual respect allows me to give them the feedback they need to improve,” Dwyer said.

Throughout the offseason, Dwyer expects the squad to prepare for the season whether that is in the form of soccer skills, conditioning or mindset, and he is eager to see what comes out of it.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the girls’ reaction when they start seeing the fruits of their labor, how the girls respond when they start seeing the payoff from the time and energy they’re investing together now,” Dwyer said.

The team kicked off its offseason schedule by placing second at the Bearcat Blizzard Futsal Tournament on Jan. 26.