NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. - Former Penn State New Kensington assistant coach Mark Duffield has been hired as the Lions' head men's soccer coach, Director of Athletics Megan Bratkovich announced today.  Duffield replaces Pat Cavanaugh, who stepped in as the interim head coach during this past fall season. Cavanaugh will continue with the program as assistant coach. 

"I am so pleased to have Mark lead our men's soccer program," said Bratkovich. "His connections to the surrounding community and his ability to communicate with student-athletes will be tremendous assets as we look to build on our successful 2017 season. I have no doubt that he will be a great ambassador for our campus."

Duffield most recently spent five years as head coach of the Highlands High School girls soccer team and is currently the Director of Goalkeeping for Hotspurs Soccer Club. Duffield served as assistant men's coach at Penn State New Kensington in 2014, one of the winningest seasons in campus history.

While at Highlands, Duffield led the team to many firsts and program records, including the best season record of 15-4-0 in 2012. He led the team to its first playoff win in school history and also helped them reach the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AA semi-finals in the 2016 season. Over 5 years at Highlands, he achieved a 54-29-4 record and guided 14 all-section student-athletes.

Duffield has been with Hotspurs (formerly Century North) since 2013 and currently serves as a Youth Development Phase Coach in addition to his director duties. Duffield is also a member of the Olympic Development Program staff for the Pennsylvania West State Soccer Association (PA West).

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to lead this program," said Duffield. "Penn State is rich in sporting history and it is an honor to join the family. I plan to continue to build the soccer program and help take it to the next level." 

A native of the United Kingdom, Duffield played professionally for Crawley Town FC and Portsmouth FC Youth as well as for the Parsippany Blues in New Jersey. He also played semi-professionally for a number of teams in England.

Duffield holds a USSF National D, NSCAA National Diploma, NSCAA National Goalkeeper Diploma, Futsal Level 1 and a UEFA License.  He resides in New Kensington.