UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Head coach Erica Dambach has announced the 2020 Penn State women's soccer incoming class which is comprised with seven student-athletes. The Nittany Lions are coming off their eighth Big Ten Tournament title in program history and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the seventh time in the last nine seasons.
Anna Carson, Olivia Damico, Katie Evans, Elle Kershner, Kaitlyn MacBean, Ellie Wheeler and Natalie Wilson make up the 2020 incoming class for the Nittany Lions.
Anna Carson
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played club soccer for Oakwood Soccer Club DA…Club ranked No. 2 in the country…Started every game of her DA career with Oakwood…Earned All-League honors for Longmeadow High School.
PERSONAL
Anna Carson was born July 26, 2002 in Springfield, Massachusetts…Parents are Susan and Milford…Has one brother, Jackson…Plans to major in business.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PENN STATE?
"Everyone who has gone through the college process has heard the saying that the second you step on your future college's campus, you will know right away that you are in the right place. That's how it was for me at Penn State. I knew from the start that my school needed to have a balance of athletics, education, and over-the-top school spirit. Penn State's phenomenal women's soccer team, challenging academic aspects, and almost excessive school pride almost seemed too good to be true. Before I visited, I knew PSU had everything I wanted, and there was one thing left for me to see: the people. I immediately felt right at home with my future teammates and coaches and had no doubt that I absolutely NEEDED to go to this school. I had never been anywhere that felt so much like home or met people who felt so much like family. I'm beyond excited to see what my fellow classmates and I can accomplish in the next few years at Penn State!"
COACH DAMBACH ON ANNA
"Anna Carson is an excellent addition to our 2020 class. A hard-nosed, hard-working defender who never gives up, she will fit into the Penn State culture incredibly well!"
Olivia Damico
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played club soccer for Western New York Flash ECNL and Empire United DA…Won 2016 New York West State Cup Champion…Won 2016 NYS Section V Class AA championship…Advanced to ODP National Tournament Final Four…Named All-State twice…Named 2019 All-Greater Rochester.
PERSONAL
Olivia Damico was born on November 9, 2001 in Newburgh, Indiana…Parents are Nick and Lori…Has two sisters, Gianna and Sophia…Plans to major in kinesiology.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because from the moment I first stepped on campus, it felt like home. There was no hesitation for me. I immediately fell in love with the program, the coaches, the campus, and the community. I knew Penn State would push me both mentally and physically, which is exactly what I need to achieve my academic and athletic goals. I really love the school pride and the family-oriented team culture at Penn State. Not to mention, the creamery is a huge bonus!"
COACH DAMBACH ON OLIVIA
"Olivia Damico is a fearless competitor with an incredible drive to push herself and test her limits. She has been fun to watch develop even in the time since she committed to us and we can't wait to get her on campus and see how far she can go."
Katie Evans
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played club soccer for VBR Star…Placed first in the CCL…Named first-team all-district and first-team all-region…Also played basketball in high school.
PERSONAL
Katie Evans was born on January 12, 2002 in San Diego California…Parents are Scott and Lisa Evans…Has two siblings, Rachel and Kyle…Plans to major in criminology.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PENN STATE?
"Penn State has been my first decision for years. I've always known I wanted to go to PSU and I've always known I've wanted to play soccer. So, I worked very hard to get where I am, and the coaches I believe saw that in me. And I am so excited!"
COACH DAMBACH ON KATIE
"We are so excited that Katie Evans is joining our family! She was always meant to be a Penn Stater and we are grateful that she realized that early on and held onto that dream. She will be an incredible addition to our team and culture."
Elle Kershner
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played club soccer for Penn Fusion Soccer Academy…Advanced to the U-17 National Quarterfinals…Named Top XI East Coast (DA)…DA Regional Training Center…Trained at the US Training Center from 2015-17.
PERSONAL
Elle Kershner was born on December 13, 2001 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania…Parents are Bobby and Mandi…Has four siblings, Dane, Reese, Jewel and Blaire…Plans to major in either kinesiology or marketing.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because I loved it from day one. The coaches, the campus, the town, and the energy I feel when I'm here is so surreal. Happy Valley is so competitive whether you're looking at the sports programs, or the academics. I can't wait to experience all the things that Penn State has to offer, especially the ice cream!"
COACH DAMBACH ON ELLE
"A fast and powerful attacking player, Elle will be a great addition to our front six and will add incredible work-rate and goal-scoring potential. A Penn Stater through and through she is an excellent addition to our family."
Kaitlyn MacBean
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played club soccer for Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL…Placed third at ECNL Nationals in 2018…Earned ENCL all-conference honors twice…Participated in ENCL National training camp in 2017…Named Ms. Soccer Minnesota…Named all-state four times…Named a preseason All-American by USA Today…Won a state championship in the 4x100m in track and field.
PERSONAL
Kaitlyn MacBean was born on September 5, 2001 in Minneapolis, Minnesota…Parents are Bridget and Craig…Has two brothers, John and George…Plans to major in Biobehavioral Health.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because from my first steps on campus I knew that nowhere else in the world would compare to how I felt there. Penn State truly has everything I wanted in a college. The women's soccer program is unlike any other in the country. The pure grit, determination, and family atmosphere within the phenomenal coaching staff and players make Penn State the best college environment possible. Aside from being one of the best teams in the nation, you can tell the coaches emphasize developing their players as people, not just soccer players. In addition to this, going to Penn State brings endless opportunities such as the academics, alumni program, passionate student body, THON, and the beautiful campus."
COACH DAMBACH ON KAITLYN
"Kaitlyn has been so fun to watch grow (literally and figuratively!) through the recruiting process. In addition to being a goal-scorer she has turned into a formidable work-horse and an absolute force with and without the ball. She will have a tremendous career here"
Ellie Wheeler
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played club soccer for FC Virginia (DA)…Club team was ranked No. 1 DA team in the country…Top goal scorer in the country prior to enrolling early at Penn State…Rostered with the U-17, U-19 and U-20 USWNT teams…Named TopDrawerSoccer All-American…Ranked No. 34. Overall and No. 11 Midfielder in the 2020 class by TopDrawerSoccer.
PERSONAL
Ellie Wheeler was born December 14, 2001…Parents are Scott and Nicole Wheeler…Has two brothers, Kyler and Jason…Plans to major in kinesiology.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State for the incredible coaching staff and world class academics. I felt comfortable with the coaches and players from the start. Everyone was so welcoming, and you could feel the shared commitment to hard work and excellence. I knew this was a place where I would be challenged athletically and academically."
COACH DAMBACH ON ELLIE
"We are so excited to have Ellie with us this semester. She has already fit in tremendously well and is a force on both sides of the ball. She has put herself in a great position for the fall season and we can't wait to watch her out on Jeffrey Field!"
Natalie Wilson
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played club soccer for McLean ECNL…Won four ECNL Mid-Atlantic championships…ECNL National finalist in 2019…Named ECNL PDP's for the Mid-Atlantic Region…Named TopDrawerSoccer second-team All-America…Named first team all-district three times…Named All-region twice.
PERSONAL
Natalie Wilson was born March 16, 2002 in Fairfax, Virginia…Parents are Glenn and Leigh…Has one sister, Lindsay…Undecided on intended major.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PENN STATE?
"I knew I wanted to go to Penn State the second I stepped on campus. It had everything I wanted, a beautiful campus, strong academics and a great soccer legacy. I immediately felt a sense of school pride on campus and the family environment Penn State holds makes it unique to the rest. Additionally, the women's soccer program has incredible coaches and players that create a competitive environment and will push me to be the best I can. I loved the emphasis the coaches put on not only being a great player/teammate but an even better person overall. The experiences and skills I will acquire during my time as a student athlete at Penn state will unquestionably prepare me for my future even beyond soccer."
COACH DAMBACH ON NATALIE
"A crafty and creative player, Nat will be a great addition to our midfield. She is good on both sides of the ball and will work tirelessly to cover every blade of grass in the midfield for us."
