Cindy Dutt called retiring as Penn-Trafford’s field hockey coach one of the most difficult decisions in her life.

But with having two grandchildren born this past fall, the retirement of her husband and lingering knee problems, Dutt decided her family obligations come first.

Dutt resigned in March after spending the past 19 seasons as coach at Penn-Trafford and leading the program to nine WPIAL titles and a runner-up finish.

Penn-Trafford dominated Class 2A from 2016-23 by winning eight consecutive WPIAL titles. The Warriors also won in 2011.

“It is going to be difficult not being on the field,” Dutt said. “But it was time to sit back and watch some else continue to build the program.”

That person will be her assistant coach, Karlee Rubright.

“I will still be with the program as a volunteer,” Dutt said. “I will work behind the scenes, but not on the field for games. I will help set up camps and be there to listen.”

A central New Jersey native, Dutt, 64, played high school field hockey and helped her team to a county title.

She played college field hockey at Moravian and has been involved in field hockey for 35 years.

Dutt coached middle school for the YWCA (both outdoor and indoor) and for Penn-Trafford High School. She also coached the Western Pennsylvania Keystone State Games high school teams.

Dutt said Jeanne Kaylor was the driving force to start field hockey in Westmoreland County, along with Myrt Driscoll and Kyri Peer.

The Warriors’ first head coach was Janna Belavic for two seasons, and Kathy Smith followed for a year before Dutt took over in 2006.

“My goal was to create the right environment,” Dutt said. “A lot of girls came to field hockey never playing another sport.

“I wanted everyone to feel they had a role. I wanted to develop their skills and give them confidence that they could succeed on and off the field.”

Dutt is excited Penn-Trafford now has a middle school team, which should help the program continue to grow and succeed.

The middle school team is coached by Cassie Richardson and her assistants Tori Lago and Taylor Tucci.

“What makes me most proud is the number of girls playing college field hockey,” Dutt said. “The championships were great.”

Some of the girls who shined in college include Ava and Gwen Hershberger, Marisa and Isabel Siergeij, Delaney Lentz and Allyson Doran.