THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Lions graduate talented, influential senior class By Stephen Hennessey COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Bri Garcia wants to channel senior forward Katie Schoepfer's passion from the last minute of game into the WOMEN'S next three years of her career. SOCCER With the women's soccer team trailing 6-2, Schoepfer kept running. A loose ball was 40 yards in the distance, probably out of reach, but Schoepfer sprinted. The senior didn't win the ball, but that relentless attitude is one of many things Garcia has learned from this year's senior class. "Schoep told me, 'I did it because I didn't want my last minute on Jeffrey to be me not hustling,' " said Garcia, a sopho more. "I want to take Schoep's last minute and put it into every single practice, every single drill and every single game." Come this spring, the women's soccer team will realize it must move on without the core of sen iors the team leaned on this year. Juniors Dani Toney and Megan LAST CHANCE TO GIVE TO THE 2009 SENIOR CLASS GIFT - Restoration and Display of the Old Main Bell Nearly 3,(lal k sUshipallw already made a pledge to thkgif4 malaria it o,pgAttba k rgast successful class ggt campAilais exul ta, r Gift voted in ww w.Lionli ne.psu.edu Monroig return to comprise next year's senior class. Toney was second on the team with 13 goals and Monroig started 14 out of 21 games for the Lions. With only two returning true seniors next year, the underclass men realize it will be a team effort to lead the Nittany Lions. While the players will move on without the seniors, the lessons they've learned will stick with them. One of those players is fresh man midfielder Maddy Evans. Evans was one of the quietest players this year, but said she will be more comfortable being vocal after the spring. In her end-of-the-year meeting, Evans said coach Erica Walsh asked her to step up to be a leader next year. Evans said after this spring, she believes she will be more comfortable. "Every one of the seniors just did a great job of being incredibly unselfish and positive even when times were tough. If they're hav ing a tough game, just playing through it," Evans said. "That really had a big impact on me." Garcia said her class has talked among itself about the importance ft announced of stepping up and being leaders. She said Toney has told her the team will need the 2010 juniors' help next season. Defender Emma Thomson is one of those players. Each Lion has pointed to her leadership presence in the backfield this year as being essential. Next year, she and fellow centerback Lexi Marton will continue that trend. "It's stuff they say to the players on the field that is huge." Evans said. "Even if it's just a small, `Keep it going.' Senior forward Nikki Watts noticed that at the end of the team's last home game. most players were underclassmen and noticed their presence on the field. If there's one thing the seniors hope the underclassmen carry with them, it's the necessity to stick together, senior midfielder Melissa Hayes said. "It was really incredible to be part of such a supportive group:' Hayes said. really hope they continue that culture of just work ing hard and being there for each other" To e-mail reporter: sihso37@psu.edu One FLU'S 0111 h neG vacemaneli duainsu - 4 p.m. 205 Student Health Center 9 a m by appointment at www.sa.psu.edu/uhs TOMORROW 9 a m - 2 p.m.129 Hui-: .- -oPeson Center 1 N. \ \ 1 4j Wr .'. . ' Bell removed from tower ~, ~X:z`:.3.. TOORY walk-in Health Services www.sa.psu.edu/uhs Bell is currently being restored to its original Bryan wade Heritage/Collegian The women's soccer team hugs after its season-ending loss to Virginia. The game was the last for a talented group of senior leaders. 18goals scored by seniors 59shots on goal by seniors CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE Bell will be returned to campus and displayed on the lawn along the west side of Old Main by April 2010 form THURSDAY, DEC. 3, 2009 I 9 WILL MISS HEY 87 saves tallied by a senior keeper 20assists Ml7' - =IM registered by seniors • • -11110
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