March 31, 2016
By: Shannon Rostick, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- There is endless talent on the Penn State women's lacrosse team. With a winning record of 8-2, it is clear that the girls are doing something right. Senior goalkeeper Emi Smith knows that her team showcases incredible talent and leadership, and it's all across the board, not with just one or two players.
One may think that the upperclassmen are the true leaders of the team, seeing as they have more experience than the younger players, but Smith says that just is not the case.
"We don't really have specific leaders. It's not just if you're a senior then you are a leader," Smith said. "I think every single player contributes to the leadership we have on the team."
She also said that she does not see the underclassmen as younger players, but that she sees all of the players on the team on an equal level.
"I don't see them as younger girls, I see them as my teammates. I play with them every day in practice and I know that they can push it on the field during the game and they want to be out there," said Smith.
The younger members on the team have really been proving themselves on the field lately. Freshman Madison Carter has garnered a number of honors already this season and has 24 goals on the year. Sophomore Katie O'Donnell has also been an asset to the team, earning herself a hat trick in Wednesday's game against Drexel, bringing her total up to 23 goals this season.
Smith praised the younger players down on defense and said that she tries to positively reinforce her teammates to help them succeed.
"I think that me responding positively toward them on the field pumps them up and gives them confidence," she said.
Smith said that she doesn't focus on the age of the girls helping her to defend the goal. She tries to focus more on tracking the ball, instead of worrying exactly who is on the field at any given time.
She also talked about the defense as a whole and the help they gave her during the Drexel game, a 14-5 PSU win. After an off week, the practice the team put toward their defense showed, and Smith praised her teammates' ability to fend off Drexel's attempts on goal.
"Our defense forced them wide and I had a lot of off-angle shots. I love off-angle shots just because they are easier to save," said Smith.
Smith mentioned that her teammates pushed her to do her best in the game, by inspiring her with the work they put in during the game.
"They all did a great job," she said. "I was in the mindset that my teammates forced them wide for me so I'm going to save the shots for them."
The offensive end of the field has also been proving themselves lately, especially fellow senior Jenna Mosketti. Mosketti was a huge contributing factor in Wednesday's game, doing a great job of winning the draw and adding herself to the list of four players to get hat tricks against Drexel.
When asked about Mosketti's offensive game, Smith had only positive things to say, even when she talked about her ability to get the ball past her in the cage.
"I love seeing Jenna play. Every time I see her at the draw I just know she's going to get it," said Smith. "Her shot is amazing too. In practice she turns it a certain way that makes the ball go a totally different way than I could even predict, making it right by me."
Smith has a lot love and respect for her teammates, and that's evident in the positive way she speaks about the group.
Team unity and communication has certainly been one of the many reasons Penn State has seen so much success this season, and when it's seen coming from the upperclassmen of the group it does even more for the team.
The Nittany Lions will take the field once again at home on Saturday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m. against Rutgers.