June 13, 2018
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Maddie Elliston (Omaha, Neb.) has been named the captain of the Penn State women's soccer program for the 2018 season, as announced by head coach Erica Dambach. Elliston, a defender, enters her redshirt senior year in 2018.
"As one of our hardest working players, Maddie is a great choice to lead this team during the 2018 season," Dambach said. "She has done an exceptional job building relationships over the past few seasons and will represent our program well on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Most importantly, Maddie is a very thoughtful teammate that always puts the team before herself."
As a Nittany Lion, Elliston has played in 66 matches, which includes 52 starts, and has tallied eight assists. Her plaudits include: a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2015 & '17) and a Big Ten All-Freshman Team member (2014). Elliston redshirted the 2016 Penn State women's soccer season as she joined the United States Under-20 Women's National Team at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. With the U.S. U-20 WNT at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, Elliston started all six matches for the Red, White & Blue.
With her captaincy this fall, Elliston is the 38th Nittany Lion to be named a captain in program history.
"Of course, I am grateful to be a team captain for this particular team because I value our team so much, but captain is just a role and everyone on this team has a particular role that has the same significant value," Elliston said. "The coaches recruit and pick specific people and players to work together. As she explained to me, it is similar to a puzzle piece. All the pieces are equally valued and significant to our puzzle, to our team!"
The Penn State women's soccer team begins its 25th season as a varsity program on August 17 against West Virginia at Jeffrey Field.