Rockwood senior to play soccer at Waynesburg University
ROCKWOOD, Pa. – Rockwood Area High School senior goalkeeper Taylor Demchak burst onto the scene as a freshman on the pitch.
Demchak posted 10 shutouts as the Rockets finished as District 5 Class 1A runners-up in 2022 and advanced to the PIAA tournament. She became a mainstay in front of the net as the totaled 929 career saves and 19 clean sheets over 74 games played.
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Her skills were recognized by the Waynesburg University coaching staff as Demchak officially committed to the Yellow Jackets’ soccer program Wednesday morning.
“I liked the campus,” Demchak said. “I liked how it felt like a family, and the field is very nice. It was just a fun campus.”
Demchak, also a member of Rockwood’s basketball and softball teams, will major in nursing at Waynesburg, an NCAA Division III member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
“I’m looking forward to the new opportunities, getting better and just furthering my education,” Demchak said.
As the last line of defense, Demchak has taken pride in covering up for her teammates and keeping opponent’s shots out of the net.
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“I just enjoy always being there for the team,” Demchak said. “If they make a mistake, I’m always there to back them up.”
Demchak – a member of Future Business Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, student council and National Honor Society – played in the 2025 Santa Fund Soccer Classic and was named to the Somerset County first team this season. She was the county’s goalkeeper most valuable player in 2024.
She has grown comfortable in net throughout her career.
“In eighth grade, I started playing goalie,” Demchak said. “I started realizing maybe once I got recruited to a club team, maybe I could play in college the spring of my 10th-grade year.”
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Becoming the latest Rockwood girls soccer player to advance to the college level means a lot to her.
“It’s nice. Hopefully it keeps the program going and more people will go play in college,” Demchak said.
Demchak will join a Waynesburg team coming off of its best season in program history. The Yellow Jackets went 17-3-2 overall and 8-1-2 in the PAC. Waynesburg lost in the PAC Tournament final, but rebounded to earn the program’s first Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference title with a 1-0 over Keene State, located in New Hampshire, Nov. 22. Waynesburg, which advanced to its first PAC title game since 2011, posted an 8-5-4 mark in 2024.
“I’m really excited,” Demchak said. “I’m really excited to work with that team and be a part of the winning.”
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Waynesburg is coached by George DeAugustino. Berlin Brothersvalley graduate Teagan (Jenner) Turnsek is an assistant on the staff. She played at Waynesburg.
She posted a 2.86 goals against average over her four seasons. Demchak was quick to thank her supporting cast.
“I want to thank my parents, also my coaches and my sister,” Demchak said.
Demchak is the daughter of Joe and Misty Demchak.
Jake Oswalt is a copy editor for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @TheWizOfOz11.