Oct. 30, 2015
By Jack Dougherty, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Megan Schafer has always had a knack for putting the ball in the net. It's what she was born to do.
Ever since she was little, Schafer would battle her brother, a former defenseman, in the backyard until the ball became invisible in the dark of night. That was where her signature moves were sculpted.
She carried this experience into her high school career at Neshaminy, where she broke the school record for goals by scoring 102 in her four years. She also established her identity as a clutch goal scorer down the stretch.
In her senior season, Schafer led Neshaminy to an undefeated 25-0 record and scored the game-winning overtime goal in the Class AAA state title game. She's calmer under pressure than anyone, which heralded plenty of attention from head coach Erica Walsh.
"She's one of the best back to goal players that I've ever coached," said Walsh. "She's impossible to defend with her back to goal. With her size, speed, and tenacity she torchers defenders to be honest."
Schafer and Walsh clicked instantly. A sophomore year visit to Happy Valley was all Schafer needed to decide on her college selection.
In her first season, Schafer faced heavy competition from upperclassmen and promising newcomers. Although she played in every game, she started in eight. She scored six goals and added five assists in a productive freshman season.
In the 2015 regular season, Schafer manufactured a breakout campaign.
Schafer finished the regular season with 10 goals and two assists. Her 10 goals led Penn State and her 22 total points were tied with Mallory Weber for most on the team. Only Illinois' Jannelle Flaws scored more goals (11) than Schafer in the Big Ten this year.
Schafer is the main reason Penn State has been so potent offensively this season. The Nittany Lions lead the conference in goals (38), assists (37), and goals per game (2.11).
"I've definitely noticed an improvement from a year ago," Walsh said. "She came in with an attitude of being one of the starting 11 players and being a go-to goal scorer. She's taken that seriously and she's come up big in huge moments for us."
Here's the amazing part of Schafer's 2015 stat line: She has taken a total of only 33 shots this season (fifth most on the team) and she led the team in goals by three tallies. Jannelle Flaws has taken 91 shots this season and only has one more goal to show for it.
So, Schafer scored a goal for every 3.3 shots she took, while the Big Ten leader scored one for every 8.27 shots taken. If Schafer took as many shots as Flaws did this year, she would've been potentially on pace to score approximately 27 goals.
Her offensive efficiency has been impeccable this year, but her timing has been just as impressive. In the nine games in which Schafer has notched a goal, Penn State is 9-0. She leads the team with four game-winning goals in 2015.
"My teammates have been doing a great job working hard to get me the ball," said Schafer. "I just happen to be in the right spot at the right time. It's awesome to be able to step up and nail the big shots."
Schafer's play has been especially remarkable of late. She's scored a goal in six of the previous eight games. The Nittany Lions went 7-1 in these contests, which led to the program's 17th Big Ten regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
"I've noticed a little bit of a swagger with her," Walsh said. "I think that she knows she's playing well. This is one of the most humble individuals that I've been around, but at the same time capable of carrying a team. She's recognizing now that she can have a huge impact even as a sophomore."
As Penn State enters postseason play, the Blue and White will be relying on Schafer for big goals in even bigger moments with the postseason up next.
"I just have to keep my mind right," Schafer said. "I have to feel the pressure of the playoffs as good pressure. Your teammates rely on you to score because they believe in you. It's awesome for your teammates to believe in you and have that trust in you."
"She's going to appear on everyone's scouting report," said Walsh. "She wants the ball, and there's no better feeling in the world than seeing your forward working her tail off when the clock's ticking down. She understands what her role is in those moments and that's put the ball in the back of the net."
Schafer and the Nittany Lions begin postseason play this Sunday against No. 8-seeded Illinois at Jeffery Field. The Big Ten quarterfinal match begins at 3 p.m. and will air live on BTN.