It may have been one of the further schools from home on her list, but the decision to continue her soccer career at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown wasn't a difficult one for senior Katie Bucchin

A Colonial League Second Team selection during the fall soccer season, Bucchin chose the Mountain Cats of Pitt-Johnstown over West Chester University, Bloomsburg University and California University of Pennsylvania.

"It was pretty much easy," Bucchin said. "When I got to the school, I felt like I belonged there. I knew that's where I wanted to go."

During her visit to the school, Bucchin got a first-hand look at what it would be like to play for the Mountain Cats. She couldn't have been happier with the way she was welcomed as a part of the team.

She was so sure about her choice that she decided last summer, prior to her final season as a Lady Falcon.

"I met the teammates and they included me really well," Bucchin said. "I did well at the practice. The coach was so nice and down to earth, which was different from other coaches who were kind of intimidating."

Bucchin led the Lady Falcons to an 8-4-1 mark in the Colonial League and a berth in the District 11 Class AA tournament. She was a four-year letter winner with 24 goals and 14 assists in her final two seasons. In becoming the team's MVP, she tallied 15 goals and seven assists this past season.

Over the last two seasons, Bucchin saw her career blossom under head coach Rick Babyak, who has been with the program for two years now.

"When he came these past two years, he kind of structured practice like my club team practices," Bucchin said. "That made me feel more comfortable because it was higher intensity and a quicker pace."

Bucchin will major in precommunication science beginning in college.

"It's in the health field [and] the medical field, and I think that speech has always been one of my stronger characteristics," Bucchin said. "I've always liked to read and write. I guess I just like it."