Oct. 31, 2014
By Miranda Kulp, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After defeating Maryland to end the regular season, the Penn State women's soccer team is ready for the Big Ten Tournament.
Penn State scored in 25th minute on a shot from Frannie Crouse to claim a 1-0 lead, an edge the Lions would never relinquish in the regular season finale.
With significant postseason implications on the line for Maryland, Penn State shut down the Terrapins to end its regular season with 17-2 overall record.
"We knew Maryland was going to come out fighting since they needed the win," said senior Emily Hurd. "We were able to match their energy right away and I think we did a great job keeping the lead."
Having already clinched the 2014 regular season Big Ten title with its win over Iowa on Sunday, the team treated this game as preparation for the postseason.
"There is definitely a different mindset going into this game," said head coach Erica Walsh. "If we didn't get it right it can turn into a slight letdown but I think the team did great job coming out and looking sharp for the game."
In their last guaranteed game on Jeffrey Field, the Nittany Lions already looked postseason ready on Thursday night.
"The biggest message today was that this game should be treated like the start of the tournament," said Walsh. "We need to continue to grow and keep staying focused. We want them to view this not as the end but as the beginning of something new."
The players know how important the conference tournament is and are using last year's defeat in the semifinals as motivation to come back stronger than ever.
This season has shown the depth and talent of the team, proving the Lions' potential to carry their success into the postseason.
"I think we're continuing to grow and putting together great performances which will carry us all the way through the Big Ten tournament," Hurd said.
Hurd is no stranger to the tournament and understands the demands and strains that are put on the players during the postseason.
"The Big Ten Tournament is so different. It's a lot of games in a short amount of time," said Hurd. "With such a demand on our bodies we need to not only mentally prepare but make sure we stay physically healthy also."
With such a diverse mix of players in significant roles on the roster, this tournament stands as both a last shot for the four seniors and the start of a new chapter in the freshman's careers.
"I'm very excited being a freshman and this being my first Big Ten Tournament. It's nice having the seniors to look up to," said freshman Maddie Elliston.
During the regular season, the freshmen have credited the leadership of the seniors for contributing to the team's success.
The four seniors have seen every high and low possible during their years at Penn State. Although they lost in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament last year, the senior players are motivated to make their last postseason a memorable one.
"These five years have gone so fast. I'm extremely happy I chose this to be my home for the last few years. I still can't believe it's almost over." Hurd said.
The Big Ten Tournament begins on Wednesday in West Lafayette. Penn State will be the No. 1 seed in the tournament.