West Windsor, N.J. - Widmarc Tigana Dalce, of Trenton, has been officially named head coach for men's soccer at Mercer County Community College, according to Athletics Director John Simone. Dalce served as an assistant coach during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Dalce is an alumnus of the Vikings' 1996 national championship team and was named to the All-Region 19 team in 1997. He has served as an assistant coach for women's soccer at Rider University (2008-10) and is the former head coach for boys soccer at Allentown High School (2006-08), where he was named Coach of the Year for the Colonial Valley Conference. Prior to Allentown, he served as assistant coach for girls soccer at Princeton High School (2001- 2005) and was assistant coach for both men's and women's soccer at American International College for two seasons. His extensive experience as a youth soccer coach includes U16 through U18 leagues in East Windsor, West Windsor and Princeton.

Last season, the Vikings advanced to the Region 19 championship game, where they lost in a close contest to Burlington County College. Three Vikings players were named to the Region 19 top five list, including no. 1 Jonni Ventura, no. 3 Sascha Haecker and no. 5 Sheldon Parkinson. Defender Haecker is expected to return next season, along with midfielder Ben Asor, forward Rochee Bell, and defender Mbecki Johnson.

High school soccer players interested in more information about the MCCC men's soccer program should contact Widmarc Tigana Dalce at 609-570-3746.

Dalce says he is strongly committed to continuing Mercer's winning tradition and representing the college with distinction. He also plans to help his players get the most from their time at Mercer - on the field and in the classroom. "This is not just about winning on the field. I will work to see that players transfer on to four-year schools."

"Mercer is like a home to me," Dalce continued. "It's where I really started to enjoy playing soccer. I was proud to be a player under Coach Charlie Inverso. I have always wanted to return and coach here. I am ready and I am very happy."

Originally from Haiti, Dalce played for the Haitian Olympic National Team from 1991-93.He played for the Haitian National Team from 1995-2000. After earning his MCCC degree in Humanities and Social Science in 1998, he continued his academic and athletic career at American International College, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Sociology and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1998.

Notes Simone, "With Dalce's considerable contributions over the past two seasons and his own experience as a highly successful coach and MCCC player, we anticipate a smooth transition." The coaching staff will also include assistant coaches Scott Loesser and John Pietrowski.

In the past three decades, the Vikings have won five National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) titles and have reached the NJCAA Final Four 12 times. More than 80 players have been named All-Americans, while many more have been selected to All Region and All GSAC teams.

High school soccer players interested in more information about the MCCC men's soccer program should contact Tigana Dalce at 609-570-3746.