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2017 PSWS Signing Day

Over the course of the month of February, the Penn State women's soccer program will announce its class of 2021 on GoPSUsports.com and social media. Follow along as we welcome the newest members of the Penn State women's soccer program.

Feb. 21

Casey Ballow
Forward/Midfielder | 5-6 | Ijamsville, Md. | Bethesda SC/Urbana H.S.

BEFORE PENN STATE
Selected to the 2016 TeamSnap high school soccer All-America game...Team captain of her high school soccer team (2016)...All-state honorable mention (2015)...All-state second team honoree (2016)...Named to the 2014 TopDrawerSoccer Tri-State Best XI team...Played club soccer for Bethesda SC...Played high school soccer for Urbana...Her high school soccer team won the 2016 Maryland 3A state title.

PERSONAL
Casey Alexandra Ballow was born on September, 27, 1999, in Rockville, Maryland...Parents are Hunter and Tracey Ballow...Has an older sister, Drew...Intends to major in business management.

WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"My sister is currently a student at Penn State, and I have had the chance to experience what makes this university great through her. When the incredible coaching staff presented me with the opportunity to play soccer, it was a no-brainer. I easily made the choice to attend Penn State because of its winning combination of academics and school spirit."

DAMBACH ON CASEY
"Casey is a talented attacking outside back. Her athleticism coupled with her mentality and work rate make her competitive with anyone in the country. She is the type of player we love to coach here at Penn State - talented and driven with a sky's-the-limit kind of potential."

Feb. 9

Kerry Abello
Defender/Midfielder/Forward | 5-7 | Batavia, Ill. | Eclipse Select/Benet Academy H.S.

BEFORE PENN STATE
A member of the U.S. Women's National Team at the U-14, U-15, U-17, U-18 and U-19 levels...Abello and, classmate, Shea Moyer played for the U-18 USWNT at the 2016 Women's International Cup in Ireland (Oct. 2016)...Ranked No. 12 overall, and the No. 2 defender, in the 2017 class by TopDrawerSoccer...Three-time NSCAA All-American (2014-16)...Played club soccer for Eclipse Select...Played high school soccer at Benet Academy for one year.

PERSONAL
 Kerry Abello was born on September 17, 1999, in Elmhurst, Illinois...Parents are Kim and Oscar Abello...Has two older sisters, Michelle and Stephanie, and one older brother, Michael...Intends to major in pre-med.

WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of its high-end academics, competitive soccer program, and most importantly, the people surrounding the program that truly make Penn State what it is. I chose Penn State because it's home."

DAMBACH ON KERRY
"Kerry is a natural left-sided player and is as dynamic and dangerous as I've seen in the recruiting process. Her tireless work rate allows her to round the corner and whip crosses in regardless of whether she's playing as a back or a winger. She will be a nightmare for opposing outside backs!"

Feb. 8

Frankie Tagliaferri
Midfielder/Forward | 5-7 | Colts Neck, N.J. | PDA/Colts Neck H.S.

BEFORE PENN STATE
A member of the U.S. Women's National Team at the U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels...Attended numerous training camps and competitions with the USWNT...Played for the U.S. at the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Women's Championship and the 2016 CONCACAF U-17 Women's Championship...Was teammates with current Nittany Lion Ellie Jean on the U.S. U-17 WNT at the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Women's Championship...A member of the USWNT that competed at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup...Recorded 24 caps and 11 international goals with U.S. U-17 WNT...Scored a goal in the first two U.S. matches at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup...Ranked No. 5 overall, and the No. 3 forward, in the 2017 class by TopDrawerSoccer...Three-time NSCAA All-American (2014-16)...2014 and 2015 all-state and All-Shore Player of the Year...Three-time First Team All-Shore, all-state, and tri-state...2015 tri-state Player of the Year...2015 New Jersey Gatorade State Player of the Year...2015 USA Today National Player of the Year...2016 first team All-Shore, all-state, and tri-state (missed half of the year due to the 2016 U-17 Women's World Cup)...Played club soccer for PDA...PDA won the 2015 ECNL National Title...Played high school for Colts Neck.

PERSONAL
Francesca Claire Tagliaferri was born on January 18, 1999 in Red Bank, New Jersey...Parents are Francis and Tracy Tagliaferri...Has a younger brother, Trey...Plans to major in pre-med.

WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because it feels like home. The students, teachers, teams, coaches, and the overall atmosphere gave me a comfortable and supportive feeling from the first time I visited. There are so many opportunities to succeed, and an incredible environment and support staff that will help me do so. After I visited Penn State for the first time, I knew exactly why they call it 'Happy Valley.' I can't wait to call Penn State my home for not only the next four years, but for the rest of my life."

DAMBACH ON FRANKIE
"Frankie is a versatile attacker with tremendous athleticism and a great understanding of the game. She can torture the opposition from a few different positions on the field and can score goals and set her teammates up equally well from anywhere on the field. She will be an absolute handful for any defender in the country!"

Feb. 7

Emma Thomson
Forward | 5-6 | Park Ridge, Ill. | Sockers FC Chicago/Maine South H.S.

BEFORE PENN STATE
A member of the U.S. Women's National Team at the U-14, U-15 and U-17 levels...Ranked No. 30 overall, and the No. 14 forward, in the 2017 class by TopDrawerSoccer...Three-time NSCAA All-American (2014-16)...Played club soccer for Sockers FC Chicago...Sockers FC Chicago won the U.S. Club Soccer National Title in 2012 & '13...Played high school soccer at Maine South for one year.

PERSONAL
Emma Thomson was born on March 16, 1999, in Chicago, Ill...Parents are Dougie and Grace Thomson...Has two older brothers, James and Kyle...Intends to major in sports communication/management.



WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because I was looking for a school with a family-like atmosphere. As soon as I spent one day on campus, I knew that Penn State could offer me a high-level experience in the classroom as well as on the field, along with that family-feel I was looking for."

COACH DAMBACH ON EMMA
"Emma is an incredibly gifted attacker with a level of sophistication you don't often see at her age. She can score goals in many different ways and has a knack for making those around her better. We are so excited to finally get her here to Penn State and are really looking forward to coaching her and to watching her score numerous goals!"

Jan. 11

Shea Moyer
Midfielder | 5-4 | Wyomissing, Pa. | FC Revolution/Wyomissing Area H.S.

BEFORE PENN STATE
Attended 15 U.S. Women's National Team camps prior to joining the Nittany Lions...A member of the USWNT at the U-14, U-15, U-18 and U-20 levels...Joined the U-20 USWNT for the 2016 U-20 Women's NTC Invitational (Sept. 2016)...Played for the U-18 USWNT with Kerry Abello at the 2016 Women's International Cup in Ireland (Oct. 2016)...Ranked No. 22 overall and the No. 10 midfielder in the 2017 class by TopDrawerSoccer...Two-time NSCAA All-American (2015-16)...Played club soccer for FC Revolution...Played high school soccer for Wyomissing Area.

PERSONAL
Shea Moyer was born on December 28, 1998, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania...Parents are Jerry and Janeen Moyer...Jerry was a four-year starter for the Penn State men's soccer team...He was named the Team MVP in 1984...Jerry was named the team captain and garnered All-Mid Atlantic honors...Janeen was a member of the Nittany Lion women's swimming team...Has an older sister, Brennan, and an older brother, Trent...Kinesiology major.

WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"It's been my dream to attend Penn State ever since I was a little kid. I love how large and diverse the university is, and I know that surrounding myself with Penn State's coaching staff and current players will create an awesome, competitive environment that will help me continue to grow as a player."

COACH DAMBACH ON SHEA
"Shea epitomizes everything we look for in a player in our program. She has an incredible passion for Penn State, an outstanding work ethic, a strong desire to develop herself on and off the field, and always has a big smile on her face. She comes from an impressive family of Penn State athletes and will be a wonderful addition to our program."