Oct. 30, 2014
By Miranda Kulp, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After assisting the Costa Rican national team in qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time ever, Raquel Rodriguez returned to Happy Valley this week with plenty of new experience.
Rodriguez, along with her Costa Rican teammates, made some history, and she was thrilled to be a part of it.
"I'm so grateful to part of the team that's making history. It's a huge deal for Costa Rica and I'm blessed to be a part of it," said Raquel Rodriguez.
By being the first Central American team to qualify, Rodriguez and her team are role models for future female athletes in their country.
Costa Rica clinched a spot in the World Cup field by beating Trinidad and Tobago on penalty kicks in a CONCACAF semifinal match on Friday night.
"The tournament is so unique that it's such a different experience from playing college soccer. I was really happy to be with my Costa Rican teammates again and being able to play for my country means so much," Rodriguez said.
Going from being a leader on Jeffrey Field to playing for Costa Rica, Rodriguez continues to be a rising star at the international level. She scored three goals for Costa Rica during the CONCACAF tournament run.
"We had a great chance to qualify so we played with a clear goal in mind," said Rodriguez. "The mentality we had was to win."
Having played for the national team before Penn State, Rodriguez was grateful to experience some international play again.
"Playing internationally is a really cool experience," said Rodriguez. "When facing the other countries you can see how each one has their own playing style."
Coming from Costa Rica to Penn State, Rodriguez is given the chance to inspire fellow international students on campus and be an example for fellow female athletes in Costa Rica.
She has previously mentioned how she wants to change the way her native country views female athletes and stand as a role model for future generations.
Not only does Rodriguez represent female athletes, she inspires younger women in Costa Rica to get a meaningful college degree, as well.
After college she has plans to return Costa Rica with her college degree and prove that anyone can excel as an athlete and earn a prestigious degree.
"It's a legacy that we are leaving behind and we hope that future generations continue to carry," said Rodriguez.
While Rodriguez was playing in CONCACAF, she found comfort in knowing her Penn State family was back at school cheering her on.
"It's awesome to be back," said Rodriguez. "It was so nice having everyone greet me with such excitement. I love my PSU family so having them shower me with this much love means a lot to me."
After celebrating Costa Rica's qualification, Rodriguez received the news that Penn State clinched the Big Ten title.
Although she was unable to be celebrate with her teammates on Jeffrey Field, she couldn't be happier for the Lions' accomplishment.
"I'm so proud to be part of Penn State. To hear the news I was so happy and wish I could have been here," said Rodriguez.
With one regular season game left for the Lions, Rodriguez and the rest of the team are staying focused before they embark on the 2014 postseason.
Rodriguez is the type of player anyone can look up too. She is using her passion for soccer to help change history in Costa Rica and is continuing to represent the ideal student-athlete at Penn State.
"I'm really proud of what we accomplished for Costa Rica, but it's great to be back with Penn State," Rodriguez said.