12 I Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 Monroig stays positive throu By Stephen Hennessey COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Megan Monroig would have made the same move her coach did. After admitted- ly struggling WOMEN’S against Minn- SOCCER esota on Oct. 16, i^======= Monroig was told she would be benched for senior defender Mo Ryan. The junior had started every game up until this point, but coach Erica Walsh said Monroig took it “so well.” Monroig is now content with her backup role. “Now that we’re into NCAAs, it is all about the team,” Monroig - THE GRID Football Men’s Basketball Lady Uons Women’s Volleyball Men’s Volleyball Wrestling Women’s Soccer Men’s Soccer Men’s Cross Country Women’s Cross Country Ice Uons Lady leers Men’s Rugby gearge’s <Flbra(<Boutiqiie ■ Exclusive Penn •’ Slate file holidays! www.georgesfCorai com H 1 +-2:17-2722 4-82 H. College Ave TjKadtkF-ilatS-ifif® . Trfirffc|g.»Cl M c HC<n» k ViptkceKTf&ißg 7-%« Stay up to date on deadlines and . C ''l promotions! ~ said. “There’s no individuals what- friends can easily travel from their soever, and everything is about hometown of Northumberland to what’s best for the team. As long State College to watch the Lions as Mo is playing great then I have play, because it’s an hour away, no problem not being in there When Monroig’s father, Rodney because she’s doing such a won- Swineford, died in a tractor-trailer derful job for us.” accident last year, Monroig played Monroig and the No. 16 Penn quality minutes against Michigan State women’s soccer team (12-5- two days later. 2, 8-1-1 Big Ten) will take the field at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Jeffrey Field against Colgate (11-6-3) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. If the Nittany Lions defeat the Patriot League champs, they’ll advance to play the winner of Virginia and St. John’s, who play at 5 p.m. in Happy Valley. Having another home game means Monroig’s family and vs. Indiana vs. Penn at Dnexel, vs. NJIT 7 p.m. Fit, 2 p.m. Sun. vs. No. 5 Illinois, vs. Northwestern ancl Saturday vs. Nazareth, IPFW, Loyola- 1 and 7 p.m. Chicago (exhibitions) Sat., noon Sun. at No. 19 Lehigh, vs. Bloomsburg vs. Colgate, winner of Virginia/St. John’s vs. Michigan State, winner 4:30 p.m. Fri., of Indiana/Ohio State 2 p.m. Sun. at No. 7 Rhode Island 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships at Temple, Rowan, Penn 8:30 p.m. Fri., 8:15 p.m. Sat, 8 p.m. Sun. vs. Penn at Navy FANS CAN RECEIVE A 2009-2010 “She handled it with such grace, and she didn’t get angry or any thing,” senior Melissa Hayes said. “She just makes everyone laugh. ... It’s just great to see that kind of joy out of someone who’s suffered such a great loss.” Monroig has taken everything in stride. She has been learning how to play defense all season long something she had never TIME PLACE TV WHAT TO LOOK FOR Noon Saturday 7:30 p.m Friday 7 p.m. Fri., noon Sun. 7:30 p.m. Fri., 1 p.m. Sun Noon Saturday 1:15 p.m Saturday 9:15 p.m. Greenberg Ice Friday Pavilion 6 p.m. Friday Annapolis, Md, ADY LION BASKETBALL vs. NJIT BEAT THE HIGHLANDERS! UNDAY, NOV. 15TH AT 2:OOPM ★ HOME OPENER! K CHANGE TO PERFORM @ HALFTIME ' LION BASKETBALL SCHEDULE MAGNET SPORTS Beaver Stadium BTN B Kte°r rdan BTN Philadelphia, Bryce Jordan Center Rec Hall Rochester, N.Y. Bethlehem, Rec Hall Jeffrey Reid Bloomington, Ind. Kingston, R.l University of Maryland-Eastern Shore University of Maryland-Eastern Shore Philadelphia, Glassboro, N.J. (while supplies last) gh tough done since she started playing soccer at age 5. Assistant coach Michael Coll praised Monroig’s performance as a defender all season long. He emphasized the coaching staff is confident plugging in any combination of the five defenders into the four backline spots. Monroig said she’s comfortable playing any position on the pitch noting her brief stint as a for ward in the Lions’ 2-0 victory against Michigan. Hayes noticed too. “In practice she’ll ask a million questions because she wants to make sure she has it right,” Hayes said. “And you can just see that con- It's the last time captains Daryll Clark and Sean Lee will ever walk through the Beaver Stadium tunnel. Look for a smaller than expected crowd with women's volleyball and soccer playing at the same time. It’s the freshmen’s first road game. Also, watch out for Tyra Grant in her final season home opener. The lliini and Wildcats come to Rec Hall both looking to avenge sweeps by Penn State earlier in the season. Expect to see some of the younger guys get quality playing time in this early preseason exhibition. The Lions travel to Lehigh to take on a tough Mountain Hawk team before they return for Sunday's home opener. PSU kicks off the NCAA Tourney vs. Colgate and should they advance, will meet the winner of Virginia/ St. John’s. The Lions seek their second win over the Spartans and possible redemption over Indiana or Ohio State. The leers finish up a four-game road trip with two games against fellow top-10 team Rhode Island. The Lions try to match last year's second-place finish and earn an automatic bid to the NCAAs. Penn State looks to earn more points toward an at large NCAA bid. Goalie Thomas Badali looks to continue his hot play in net during a three-game road trip. The Lady leers look to overcome their injury woes and extend their winning streak to five games. The Ruggers enter their last regular season game with a chance to lock up the No. 2 seed in the MARFU Playoffs. The Daily Collegian season centration carry into the game.” Monroig makes sure she keeps the atmosphere light in the hud dle, too. Hayes said her teammate will frequently jump in front of Walsh in a huddle to make every body laugh. “I love joking around and being funny. That’s one of my favorite things,” she said. “During water breaks at practice things don’t have to be focused then. We all feel it’s something important to keep things balanced a little bit and to continue to enjoy ourselves.” To e-mail reporter: sihso37@psu.edu The women's soccer team readies for NCAAs. | SPORTS, Page 14. liotf i
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