Meet the Back Mountain Torrent | DiscoverNEPA

The best local college-level players find their summer home at the legendary Back Mountain Soccer Club at Misericordia University.

When it comes to recreational and developmental soccer in Northeast Pennsylvania, one local club usually comes to mind: the mountain football club. In over 40 years, the soccer club has grown to be recognized as one of the region's leading youth sports organizations. Since 1978, Back Mountain Soccer has featured rec. teams featuring awkward four-year-olds and highly developed youth travel squads featuring some of Pennsylvania's best high school players. And now, with the addition of The Back Mountain Stream in 2023, they have ventured into (semi)professional territory.

The Back Mountain Torrent, an Under-23, Pro-Amateur women's soccer team under the umbrella of the Back Mountain Soccer Club, is wrapping up its first season. Torrent's work in the United Women's Soccer League 2 (UWS2). UWS2 is technically a developmental program within the national women's Pro-Am league. Many of the clubs also serve as reserve teams for UWS League 1.

Local talent takes the field.

While it is possible to rise through the ranks in professional soccer within the UWS structure, for most teams, and especially Torrent, it is about expanding opportunities and growing the sport. Locally, according to Torrent head coach Tayler Jamison, the first-of-its-kind team has garnered quite a bit of attention in its debut season. "It's definitely gotten pretty big in the community."

Coach Jamison, a "newcomer from the outskirts of Philadelphia", attributes much of Torrent's early success to the somewhat legendary status of the Back Mountain Soccer Club. “They (Back Mountain Soccer) make up a good part of Northeast Pennsylvania when it comes to soccer and a lot of the youth soccer families have been coming to the games.” Jamison continues: "It's been really cool to watch."

While that connection runs deep, Torrent doesn't just feature "Back Mountain" kids. “We're drawing college players from all over the area and a lot of them didn't play for Back Mountain growing up,” says Coach Jamison. "It's basically a league for all these talented college players from all over Northeast Pennsylvania to play in when they come home from college in the summer."

Grow the game one game at a time.

For Torrent Forward, Emma Sweitzer, who also plays for Mercy University, it's about more than just having a place to play during the summer. “We have never had anything like this before. This is the first professional amateur women's team at the local level." She adds, "It's pretty amazing!"

Sweitzer, who was also named the 2023 Division III National Player of the Year, he sees something special happen in every game. But it's not necessarily in the field. It's in the eyes of the much younger rec. and youth club players coming out to watch. “It's amazing to see all the development through the different teams at the club and then you see them at our games and they look up to us, that's been really cool,” added Sweitzer.

Sharing the experience.

Back Mountain Torrent's roster features 18 players from local and regional universities. At the team's opening tryout, they saw almost 40 players. And with so few options for all of these players locally, Coach Jamison and Torrent's owners agreed that a training team needed to be created. "We offered those who were not on the list the option to continue training with us." Adds Jamison: “There just aren't a lot of options or teams they can travel to. With us, they could at least have a training experience this summer.” Players from the formation squad also occasionally have the opportunity to substitute in Torrent matches.

This “one shop” approach offers local players not only the opportunity to continue to develop at a high level, but also helps bring the game closer to many more young women. There's a palpable camaraderie on the training ground. And for Sweitzer, it's mostly about bringing together some of the best talent in the region and having fun. “A lot of us play college soccer together, or have played together in high school, and it's fun to reconnect.” She continues: "And we're playing against other college level, or even post-college level competition, so it's a great experience overall."

An inspiration to the soccer community at NEPA.

By all accounts, the addition of Torrent hasn't just benefited local youth and college gamers. “Oh, it's been great for the community,” says Coach Jamison. “There are little kids who come to the games excited to see the college players; A lot of them, to some degree, idolize some of these girls." All this, according to the young head coach, serves to fulfill the overall mission of the team. “We have a great turnout in our games and the community has grown a lot overall, in terms of their appreciation for soccer.” She adds, "If our goal is to grow the game as much as possible, this is a great way to do it."

Catch The Back Mountain Torrent in action while you can

They are just one game away from being crowned Mid-Atlantic Conference Champions.

The Back Mountain Torrent train and play their home games at Manglesdorf Field at Mercy University. Their conference play takes them to fights near Philadelphia, Lancaster and Williamsport. So far, in their inaugural season, they have posted a 5-0-2 record. That leaves them at the top of the conference standings. And with one game left, Torrent has a very reasonable chance to win the conference championship.

Head over to Mercy University's Manglesdorf Field on Sunday, July 16 at 6 pm and let these ladies know that NEPA has their back.

Back Mountain Torrent vs. Lancaster Inferno

When: Sunday, July 16
Time: 18:00
Where: Manglesdorf Field Mercy University
301 lake street
Dallas, PA 18612