Westmoreland high school notebook: Greensburg Central Catholic’s Vacanti to play in England

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 5:58 PM

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While it might seem generally unconventional, Jackson Vacanti sees his approach to post-prep soccer as the way to go.

The senior at Greensburg Central Catholic is taking his talents to west England, where he will play for the University Developmental Academy at the University of Chester.

He will still attend classes as usual, but soccer will take up most of his time.

Located about 200 miles north of London, UDA Chester gives players year-round training and high-level competition while they pursue a degree.

Developmental academies exist in the United States, but Vacanti was drawn to playing overseas.

“The two main things that sold me were, one, the fact that I will be playing a nine-month season, and two, the coaching staff is incredible and have coached and directed at top academies in England,” Vacanti said. “They also have a lot of connections with other clubs in England. Another thing that made my decision easy was the chemistry that I had with the other boys in the recruiting class. Ten of the 17 boys that visited when I did in November are now committed.”

Vacanti, a midfielder who had 22 goals and 12 assists last fall and finished with 64 career goals, said the level of competition is similar to Division I in the United States.

Vacanti plans to stay for three years and earn a degree.

During his first year, he will join players from his recruiting class in the U21 North West Counties Football League.

A performance-based promotion could follow to the Christleton FC Chester & Wirral League. Established in 1894, the league features top players who eye a post-college playing career.

Vacanti did his homework on the process, travel and boarding commitment and other details.

The lure of international play and a unique college-like experience intrigued him from the jump.

He spent eight days in Chester in the fall.

“One of the new recruits that I will be playing with from Cleveland has a brother that is in his third year of the program,” Vacanti said. “Other than that, I am just going in with the recruits that I played with in November.”

Vacanti’s twin sister, Addison, also is set to play at the next level. Also a midfielder, she won’t have to travel quite as far. She committed to Division II West Liberty (W.Va.).

Crossey to SVC

Franklin Regional basketball standout Connor Crossey announced a verbal commitment to NCAA Division III Saint Vincent.

The senior guard had a career season, his final as a Panther, averaging 19.5 points and 4.0 rebounds.

DeRiggi MVP

Franklin Regional senior basketball player Madison DeRiggi earned Most Valuable Player honors for the East team at the 28th Alle-Kiski Valley Cager Classic all-star game last weekend at Highlands.

DeRiggi, a TribLive Westmoreland first-team all-star, scored 10 points as the East fell to the West, 66-60.

DeRiggi averaged 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.0 steals this season as the Panthers won their first section title in 46 years.

Volleyball ranks

Latrobe’s boys moved up one spot to No. 2 in the Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association WPIAL Top 10 poll in Class 3A.

Also in the classification, Penn-Trafford remained at No. 5 and Hempfield dropped one spot to No. 8.

Kerr staying

Soccer standout Riley Kerr of Greensburg Central Catholic plans to honor her commitment to Saint Francis, at least for one year before the Red Flash drop from Division I to III.

Kerr, who scored 122 career goals, said she will reassess her situation from there.

Saint Francis will join the PAC in 2025-26.

County schedule

The next event on the Westmoreland County Coaches Association schedule is the track and field championships set for April 24 at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium.

Myers to the Hill

Latrobe football player Tim Myers announced he will continue his career at Division II Seton Hill.

Myers, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive end, also considered offers from Edinboro and Clarion, also in the PSAC.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Hempfield, Latrobe, Penn-Trafford