Getting closer to his team ended up being one of the keys to getting his team further for Greensburg Central Catholic boys' soccer coach Tom Kennedy.

A former teacher and a substitute the past five years, he accepted a position as a teacher at the parochial school in Westmoreland County this year.

He was around his players throughout the school day and then later in practice. He ended up spending a good part of November with his players as well as the Centurions blazed a path through the playoffs, winning a WPIAL Class A title and advancing to the PIAA semifinals.

"It keeps me involved with the team," Kennedy said. "I see them in classes and it is not like I just show up for practices. I am there. I can see the team unity in school constantly."

The WPIAL title was the second for Greensburg Central Catholic in six seasons. The Centurions were just one half away Tuesday from their first trip to the PIAA title game.

But they ran into 2008 WPIAL and PIAA champion Seton-LaSalle again in the state semifinals. Greensburg Central ended Seton-LaSalle's WPIAL title reign and had a chance to do the same for its PIAA title reign.

After a scoreless first half the Centurions struck just seconds into the second half when senior forward Ethan Shula made the Seton-LaSalle defense pay for a miscommunication and then beat the goalie.

Greensburg Central was inching toward its first PIAA title berth before Seton-LaSalle scored with 13:57 left in the game. The game was sent to overtime and then double overtime and that is when Seton-LaSalle's Ty Trainor scored to send Seton-LaSalle to another PIAA final.

In 2003, against Trinity Christian, Greensburg Central was also denied a trip to the PIAA title game by a double overtime loss in a semifinal.

"For some reason, we can't let it get to overtime, especially double overtime," Kennedy said. "Seton-LaSalle is a very good team and that is why they are the current state champions. You have to give them credit and respect. We were fortunate enough to beat them in the WPIAL playoffs."

After Seton-LaSalle fell behind, 1-0, it took a gamble to create more offense by not marking Tim Wood, Greensburg's prolific goal scorer. It almost cost the Rebels the game as Wood had the ball in the box before being taken down. There was no call on the play, and after Seton-LaSalle tied the score it went back to marking Woods.

"Tim Wood is a great player," Seton-LaSalle coach Mike Thomas said after the game. "He is one of the better kids I have ever seen play the game and one of the only kids I have seen not get frustrated when he is marked."

At one point Kennedy thought his team had lost in the first overtime, but defender Ryland Smith made a save on the goal line.

"From where I was standing on the other side of the field, I thought the game was over," Kennedy said.

Greensburg Central finished the season 20-5, with Section 1 and WPIAL Class A titles.

"We got some hardware to back it up this year," Kennedy said. "Someone asked me how I felt going into the [PIAA semifinal] game. I said worst-case scenario, we are 20-5 and the WPIAL champions."

The PIAA playoff run concluded the careers of four-year starters Wood, Shula and Rooney Columbus. The three have been the backbone of the team the past few years.

They finished their careers with a 45-0-1 record in section play and capped off their senior years with their first WPIAL title.

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