UNIVERSITY PARK — Alumna Kerry Abello has never been afraid to chase her dreams.
Abello, a current defender for the Orlando Pride of the NWSL, is dedicated to making an impact on the field in soccer and off the field in science.
Throughout her five years in Happy Valley, Abello blossomed into a multi-passionate individual dedicated to pursuing the things she felt called to in life.
Abello credits Penn State as a place that helped shape her in a multitude of different ways and prepared her to take on the world.
From a rookie bench warmer to an elite talent and team captain, Abello's time on the Penn State women's soccer team was instrumental to the team winning two Big Ten Championships and two Big Ten Tournament Championships, and was a testament to her willingness to put in the extra work to reach the next level.
"I grew tremendously here as a soccer player," Abello said. "I went from my freshman year kind of getting barely any time to go on to help the team win some big championships and earn a few awards along the way."
Off the field, Abello was equally committed to balancing her academics.
A two-time CoSIDA Women's Soccer Academic All-American of the Year honoree, a member of the Schreyer Honors College, and a pre-medicine and Spanish major, Abello's support at Penn State allowed her to pour her heart into both her passions equally.
"My experience at Penn State was really fulfilling academically," Abello said. "I'm very into school, and my professors and coaches at Penn State made it possible for me to pursue all of the academic pursuits that I wanted to."
However, what Abello describes as the most fulfilling part of her time in State College, was the person she became throughout her journey.
"My friends on the soccer team, the coaching staff, and my teammates helped me grow so much into the person that I am now," Abello said. "They helped me grow into myself, build my confidence and helped me learn how to use my voice and discover who I am."
From hoisting a trophy on Jeffrey Field to long hours spent dedicating herself to her scholarly interests, Abello's time at Penn State was filled with a harmonious balance of learning and leading.
After a fulfilling collegiate and academic career, her dream of becoming a professional soccer player would come true.
Abello had not planned to enter the 2021 draft, but a NWSL rule change before the draft made it so anyone in their last year of eligibility could be selected.
"I was going to enter the following draft," she said. "It was a crazy week, realizing that I could be drafted and then when I finally was drafted, I found out sitting in a room in one of the soccer houses with a few of my friends watching the TV and them saying my name on the TV."
The moment was special beyond comprehension.
"I was just stunned, and my jaw was on the floor," she said. "I realized, this is like my dream. All the other things I want to do in my life are special too, but I've always wanted to be a professional soccer player."
The transition from collegiate soccer to professional soccer is a jump that may seem quite intimidating. However, Abello felt ready for the transition and would navigate through any growing pains the same way she did as a freshman at Penn State.
"I felt very prepared for the transition," Abello said. "I knew that there were areas I had to grow in, but it felt a lot like coming in as a freshman to Penn State."
Abello cites the different team dynamics as a significant change from college to the pros.
"There's such a wide range of age groups on the team," Abello said. "You have some vets on the team who won a gold medal at the Olympics and you're the rookie, so definitely a different culture dynamic."
Abello reminds herself it's the same game she's always played, she's just at the next level.
In order to grow as a young professional, Abello wants to work on her aerial presence in the game and be quicker and better at decision-making on the field.
"Moving to the next level, people are just older, faster and stronger and better in the air," Abello said. "I think that's something that I am always trying to improve in my game."
Building upon those skills, she believes she can elevate her game to the next level.
Post-college, Abello has also grown in her game through the United States national soccer system.
She was called up to a U-23 camp in Sweden in June and made a statement upon her arrival.
"I was so thrilled to be called up to this camp," Abello said. "We played India and Sweden while we were there, and I actually scored my first goal with the national team against Sweden, which was really special."
Abello is an up-and-coming star who is currently enjoying where she is in her life right now, living out her childhood dream of being a professional athlete.
"I'm just so in love with soccer right now," Abello said. "Hopefully I'll be able to carry that on for a while and see where my soccer career can take me."
However, her dreams of pursuing medicine and becoming a surgeon will one day be waiting for her right around the corner when it's time to hang up the cleats.
"I couldn't picture myself doing anything else besides healthcare," she said. "I want a career that's fulfilling and feeling like I'm making a difference."
Combining more of her passions for traveling and culture, she has aspirations of providing healthcare internationally.
"I would love to do some sort of work with Doctors Without Borders, going to different places to practice medicine for people in Spanish-speaking places," Abello said. "That's like a big reason that I also majored in Spanish while I was in college. Traveling is another big passion of mine."
No matter where Abello goes, she is committed to creating change and being an advocate for others. Her efforts to make an impact in every facet of her life earned her a Top 30 nomination for the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year.
Her platform as an athlete has allowed her to use her voice to reach others on issues that matter, such as social justice.
Abello is aware she serves as a role model for the younger generation and is so much more than just an athlete.
"At our games, you see the girls that show up and they are watching and listening," Abello said. "I will never hesitate to speak out about what I believe and what I think is right."
From standing up for what she believes in, to one day saving lives, to being an example to young girls that they can be athletesand scientists, Abello is busy chasing soccer balls and big dreams on a daily basis. Her impact off the field, just like her game on it, has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
For alumna Kerry Abello, the story is just getting started.
