Feb. 23, 2017
Hometown: Waterford, Conn. (now Boston, Mass.)
Years with PSWS: 2006-09
Major: Human Development and Family Studies
GoPSUsports.com: How did Penn State prepare you?
KS: Penn State prepared me in so many ways as both a soccer player and as a person. As a player, Coach [Dambach] and Ann [Cook] continuously pushed me outside of my comfort zone to become the player and leader that they knew I could be. At the time, I didn't always see their vision but they believed in me and I owe so much to them for preparing me both physically and mentally to play professionally for seven years. Without them, I never would have lasted that long.
In general, going to a big school like Penn State taught me what can be done when people band together. There is nothing like a Penn State football game, THON or any other student activity. It really makes you feel like a part of a strong community regardless of who you are. It is really incredible and no matter where I go, every time I come back to Penn State it feels like home.
GoPSUsports.com: Favorite memory as a Nittany Lion?
KS: There are so many memories that stand out to me. I loved every minute of my time at Penn State. THON, bus rides, all the amazing moments on Jeffery, time spent with my teammates off the field all have a special place in my heart.
One of my favorite memories is from my senior year. We were playing at Minnesota who was an incredibly tough opponent that year and contending for the Big Ten title with us. It was a cold and rainy night and a back and forth battle. As the clock was winding down, I think everyone had their eyes on getting into OT with a 0-0 draw. Then Dani Toney went on a run through the middle of the field and beat a couple of Minnesota defenders, she got dragged down on the top of the box at the corner of the defense with less than 15 seconds left on the clock.
As we rushed to get the free kick taken, Minnesota set its wall up too close to the ball and the ref stopped the clock with less than 10 seconds left to back the wall up. This gave us time to relax and take our time. I stepped back and remembered a free kick that Ann and I were working on that season, driving a ball low and hard at the post as opposed to bending it around the wall. I stepped back and smacked a low hard shot towards the post, it skipped off the ground and went it. It is the closest thing to a buzzer beater I have ever had in my life.
It was an incredible feeling being a senior, having the pressure of winning the game on my shoulders and being able to step up and deliver. The team worked so hard that night and we deserved to win, so I was happy I was able to do my part.
GoPSUsports.com: What are you currently up to?
KS: Currently, I just finished up my playing career. I played professionally in the WPS and NWSL. I was with the Boston Breakers for six years. I finished my career with 100 professional appearances and I'm top-three in most appearances as a Boston Breaker. I just accepted my first real college coaching job at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. Holy Cross is a member of the Patriot League and I am looking forward to really getting into Division I coaching.