Sept. 24, 2014 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Miranda Kulp, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - As the Penn State women's soccer team continues on their winning streak the team continues to stay focused on its "one game at a time attitude." After Tuesday's victory over Bucknell, the Lions are overall 8-1 record.
As the team's season continues, head coach Erica Walsh continues to guide the team to success.
"I think we kept our cool and fought through any frustration pretty well tonight," said Walsh.
"Right off the bat the attitude was good and the mentality was right. I was extremely proud of this team tonight."
Beating Bucknell 7-0, the team gave everything they had in the game and made sure to seize any scoring opportunity possible with a total of 21 shots during the game.
Later in the week, the Lions welcome fellow Big Ten schools Northwestern and Illinois to Happy Valley.
With two big matches coming up, Walsh tells her team to embrace every game as a new challenge, encouraging the Lions stay focus and treat every game as their last.
"We have to always remind ourselves, especially when things are going well, we still have so much more we need to accomplish if we are going to reach our goals this year," said Walsh.
The combination of an aggressive offense and a solid defense proves the team embraces any obstacle that comes its way.
One notable goal against Bucknell was by Anna Witte during the second half. This was Witte's first career goal.
"After such an accomplishment I definitely am proud of all my hard work and am thankful for everything the coaches have helped me with," said Witte.
Alongside Witte, freshman Frannie Crouse scored a pair and had an assist in the night's game.
Coming off of earning the Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, Crouse expressed how much the coaches impact her game.
"They definitely give you confidence while still teaching you how to improve. They are able to show you how to be your best and to break things down to teach you if need be," she said.
A big role in the team's outstanding performances so far is the handwork and dedication that comes from its coaching staff.
"Coach Walsh is always encouraging us to keep the intensity up," said Crouse.
Being extremely proud of the team, Walsh understands there is always room for improvement.
"I think the feelings so far this season are good, but we still have a lot of work to do, "Walsh said.
This marks Walsh's eighth season with Penn State. Before her highly successful career at Penn State, Walsh was an assistant coach for U.S. Women's National team and head coach at Harvard University.
Making Tuesday night's game more interesting is the fact that Walsh and Bucknell's head coach Ben Landis not only have coached together at Harvard but are also good friends.
"He's one of my closest friends and he does a great job with his program," said Walsh. "I'm so proud of what he's done at Bucknell and wish him all the luck in the Patriot League."
Walsh is a competitive coach that pushes her team to success. Since being with Penn State, she has had seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances, six consecutive Big Ten regular season titles and several other major team honors.
In 2012, she was named the NSCAA and Soccer America National Coach of the Year. Additionally, she was the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2012.
Coaches are able to make players into true athletes and Walsh knows the team is doing great so far. However, she is keeping her goals clear for where she wants to take the team this year.
"We always are talking about and teaching them what it really means to be a competitor," she said. "We have a plan and a schedule that will hopefully get us to that Big Ten Tournament when the time comes."