Nov. 13, 2014
By Miranda Kulp, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After ending a successful season with a 17-3 overall record and earning its 16th Big Ten Championship, the Penn State women's soccer team is set to embark on its last journey together in 2014.
When the Lions step onto Jeffrey field against Buffalo, Friday night it will officially kick off their NCAA Tournament competition, the tournament that gives no second chances.
Thanks to a superb regular season, the Nittany Lions earned a No. 2 seed in the 64-team draw.
Now, they're looking forward to the upcoming action and are using a the Big Ten Tournament result as motivation and encouragement to progress further in the NCAA Tournament.
"Give us the rest of the day and the bus ride home to reflect, but once we get back to the field we know we have another task we need to focus on," Whitney Church said. "After any loss we make sure we improve for the next game and concentrate on what is in front of us."
This is the Lions' chance to mount a run into the postseason, and head coach Erica Walsh is excited about the opportunity.
"The loss against Northwestern got them fired up and the players want to not only play in this tournament but advance," Walsh said. "The team knows what they need to do to win, as a coach I can see the intensity in them increase every practice."
The Lions will begin their tournament play with a match against Buffalo, and although Penn State is no stranger to this tournament, this will be the first time Buffalo has received an NCAA bid.
"Since it's their first NCAA tournament appearance I think we will see a great crowd for both teams during the game. I think it's going to be a really exciting game and great start to the tournament," Walsh said.
In a win or go home setting, the team is well aware of the consequences of playing in the NCAA tournament. However, they are keeping the same "one game at a time" mentality that has helped them succeed this season.
"We want to always move forward. We try and learn from every game and grow as a team," said Church. "For some of us upperclassman, we know the risk that comes with this tournament so we want to show the freshman what is expected from these games."
The seniors have played a vital role the entire season. With 11 freshmen experiencing the NCAA Tournament for the first time, the upperclassmen will be a leading the charge.
For the four seniors on the team, this is their last chance to make the most of their collegiate career.
"This is the seniors' team, they have taken all the younger players on their back and it's amazing as a coach to watch," coach Walsch said.
The upperclassmen have been able to prep the younger players and show them what to expect from the next two weeks.
Starting on Friday, the intensity on the field is sure to increase. With the start of the NCAA and the end of the 2014 season, the team is going into this tournament with determination and positivity.
"We're all really happy and super excited to get started in this tournament. We have a belief in this team and that's what can take us far in this tournament," Church said.