UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The third-ranked women's soccer team participated in Penn State's annual Fall Sports Media Day on Tuesday, as head coach Erica Dambach and redshirt senior defender Maddie Nolf spoke to the press. Here are some takeaways.
Strength of Schedule
Coming off a win against Duquesne and a hard-fought 1-0 victory versus No. 9 West Virginia, Penn State will host the No. 2 ranked UCLA Bruins. For Dambach, the tough competition to begin the season serves not as deterrent, but instead a great opportunity for her team to improve.
"The focus of the team is getting better every time we step on the field, and UCLA is going to be another opportunity to test ourselves as one of the best in the country. We're learning more about ourselves each and every day" Dambach said.
She stressed the need for her student-athletes to stay determined and focused despite the successful opening weekend against two talented programs.
"One of the things we talked about after a good opening weekend is we have to put our foot on the gas. We can't rest on it. It's time to go. This team has high goals, as they should, but we've got to get better."
25 years celebration
Saturday's game vs UCLA isn't just an important matchup between two top five teams fighting for separation in the polls. Penn State will celebrate its 25th year as an official varsity sport as they hold an Alumni Day ceremony to honor those who helped ignite the program.
"We have so many of our alums coming back into town and so many of the people that were a huge part in those early years of setting the foundation," Dambach said. "Those who were around in 1994 when this program became a varsity soccer team."
"We're thrilled and excited to celebrate with those women. One of the things that makes this program so special is we feel their support. They are at our matches. They are reaching out. They are supporting these current players. This family extends beyond the group that is there right now."
Dambach acknowledged the tremendous impact the alumnae had on the program and the importance of commemorating their successes today.
"We've shared some of (the tradition) with current players. It's just about understanding the path this program has taken and the fight from the men and women who put this program on the map and what they did for Penn State," she added.
Captain Nolf
Maddie Nolf, who will serve as the Blue and White's captain this season after being selected by her teammates, talked about what the position meant to her.
"It's an honor, because there's so many great people, players, and leaders on our team," Nolf said. "With that being said, I feel responsible to do my very best, but I don't feel any overwhelming pressure to be this "great" leader; I feel I'm going to continue to be me."
Nolf, like the selfless and humble person she is, gave all the credit to her support staff and teammates.
"We have a leadership council and have all these people doing their very best to drive the team, so while I'm really honored to be named (captain), I'm just super excited that I have so many great people that are pushing the standard."
Newcomers
One of Nolf's most important tasks as captain is welcoming the Class of 2022 to Penn State's program and integrating them into the team's culture.
"That's a huge focus," Nolf said of helping the newcomers get acclimated.
"We talked about how we were going to bring in the freshmen and the summer (training) was a huge focus. We had small groups to try to get to know each other, uphold standards, and to do fitness," Nolf added.
With seven freshmen joining the roster as part of the No. 8 ranked recruiting class in the nation, there is plenty of talent to go around. Dambach talked about the role of these freshmen and what they should do in order to get better.
"For these freshmen, if they just take it all in and try to absorb as much as they can from Maddie (Nolf) and (Emily Ogle), two fifth-year seniors, and the leadership council, they'll be in a great place going forward."
Penn State will host the Bruins of UCLA on Saturday night at 4 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.
