By Mike Kovak, Staff writer

mkovak@observer-reporter.com

During the recruiting period, it's not unusual for conferences such as the Big East, Big Ten or Patriot League to land most of the WPIAL's premier boys soccer talent.

Peters Township senior Greg Weimer is part of a small group breaking the trend.

Weimer recently accepted a scholarship offer to play soccer at Virginia Tech. The school is located in Blacksburg, Va., and is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"I had an old coach who knew some people down there and he said to take a look at it," Weimer said. "I was looking at colleges and it just worked itself out."

Virginia Tech, which finished 5-13-1 this fall and is coached by Oliver Weiss, had two WPIAL players on its roster in Scott Dillie of Upper St. Clair and Terry Boland of Seton-La Salle.

Weimer, a starting defender the past three years, continues the long line of Peters Township soccer players to join Division I programs.

"The kids benefit from getting more exposure," said Peters Township coach Bob Dyer, who played at Pitt following high school. "We play at a high level, get attention and we've been a successful program."

Weimer selected Virginia Tech over Bucknell and Lafayette, where former Peters Township standout Shane Pruitt plays.

He started in two Class AAA state championship matches - Peters Township defeated Downingtown West in the 2007 final and lost to the Whippets this fall.

It was a loss that did not sit well with Weimer.

"I think some of it was just playing for so long and looking forward to (repeating)," Weimer said. "A lot of it comes from Peters Township soccer. We're not used to losing."

Weimer also was part of a Peters Township team which played in the past four WPIAL championship matches. The Indians broke a three-game title match losing streak in late October with a victory over Fox Chapel.

"Now that it's all over, it's been pretty good," he said. "Especially when we started 2-4 this year and just working our way back into the playoffs. We accomplished a lot."

Individually, Weimer's accomplishments include playing for the Allegheny Force club team and being named to the 2008 Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team.

"The thing with Greg is there's not one thing that he is great at, he's just a very good player at a lot of aspects," Dyer said. "He reads well. He has good skills. He plays with his head up. Plus, he has this dogged determination to win."

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