16 I Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010 Despite By Andrew Robinson COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Losing a starter, another young player coming off a strong camp and a freshman expected to con tribute immedi- == ately would hin- WOMEN'S der most teams in the first weeks of SQCCtH a season. Then again, most teams don’t have the depth of the Penn State womens soccer team. Despite injuries to Maddy Evans, Jackie Molinda and Emily Hurd, the No. 13/11 Nittany Lions’ deep roster has allowed them to maintain a high level of play. “We had a bunch of players come off the bench against West Virginia and I thought they did well to actually elevate the level of the game,” Penn State coach Erica Walsh said. “That’s always a good thing when you see a player go on and they really give you the boost that you need." Assistant coach Ann Cook said Evans had all but secured a starting role after a strong preseason while Hurd, a freshman left-footed wing player and Molinda, a speedy and versatile player, are both expected to contribute all season. But with the three sidelined, the Lions Team confident, poised as 2010 season begins By Alex Angert COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Winning a Big Ten champi onship can cause a team to have a different swagger going into the next season Winning 12 Big Ten champi onships in a row is a whole different story. That’s the case this season for the costa Penn State women’s soccer team, which showed both a sense of confidence and looseness on Sunday during its Blue-White intrasquad scrimmage at Jeffrey Field. “We are very confident," red shirt freshman Tani Costa said. “We are all working hard. We are SBS Has Your Books and Supplies! Student Bank Stare Is MW BEMTIHB nXTBOOKSI Save up to 50% or more when you RENT your books! Stop in the store or visit www.thestudentbookstore.com for details. injuries, Lions still going strong bench has stepped up. Sophomore Julie Hubbard started on Friday against West Virginia, while redshirt sopho more Bri Garcia, junior Ali Schaefer, redshirt freshman Tani Costa and true freshman Taylor Schram came off the bench. Costa scored the game-winning goal in overtime and said the com petition in practice has been a daily battle. “It’s just working hard for your self individually to push the start ing lineup, to make a difference out there and make an impression for the coaches,” Costa said. “Especially for our team, it’s important that everyone needs to go out there, work hard, work for every ball, don’t take anything for granted. We make each other bet ter every day.” With so many players capable of contributing, Hubbard said every one is fighting for minutes. At the same time, the injured players are frustrated they can’t be on the field helping the team. “Coming in as a freshman it’s always hard because I didn’t know any of the girls and I feel like a lot of the bonding teams do is made on the field,” Hurd said. “You’re playing with people, getting to know them and interacting with them and I had to sit out on the sideline.” Now that the games have start- all playing really intense with each other. We have high expecta tions for one another and we keep living up to that, so we're going to keep moving for ward.” And while the White team came away with the 3-1 victory, it wasn’t the score that mattered at the end of the day, but rather that exact level of intensity Costa pointed out. After evaluating the team’s play, head coach Erica Walsh said she didn't see as much intensity in Sunday's Blue-White matchup as compared to Friday’s opener against West Virginia, however, that can be expected in an intrasquad scrimmage. Nevertheless, the players still competed at a high level through out the entire scrimmage. Both teams hustled all game long. They fought for every ball Textbooks, SAVE 25% Come on in... we’re open late ed, Hurd said the desire to get on the field is stronger, but she also knows it’s better to wait and heal. The freshman said she would much rather be healthy for the end of the season than play with risk of an injury in an early season game. Evans said she expects to play this weekend while Molinda and Hurd might return a little later. Molinda echoed Costa’s and Hubbard’s sentiments in saying the practices have been intense thus far. “We’re really deep this year, it’s been a battle at every practice,” Molinda said. “You gotta battle every day because there’s so much talent, everyone can step up.” It takes teams a couple weeks to determine a starting lineup, and even then, it’s subject to change based on match-ups. Toward the end of the season, the Lions’ depth will make each player capable of playing their roles. “Our depth is incredible, all over the field too,” Evans said. “That just says a lot about who we are as a team and individuals because we’re all willing to contribute when the time is right and when it’s our time. Everyone contribut ing is really going to pay off when we need those players.” To e-mail reporter: adrso79@psu.edu and the players still jawed with the referees up until the final buzzer all while playing at what Walsh considered to be about 70 to 75 percent of Friday’s level. Walsh added building this positive attitude early on is one of the most important things right now for the team, and it’s apparent by the team’s demeanor that Penn State is ready to defend the Big Ten crown. “I think we’re carrying a certain amount of confidence right now for sure,” assistant coach Ann Cook said. “We’re playing well. We’re Used "a I i Jpi I I #\l r:- 1 SU Grailt eiri PircfeaM Plai Hey PSU Students... Have your parents authorize you to use their credit card for a single purchase or throughout the semester. Call the book store or us online for more information! 1-809-373-4SBS SPORTS “Good team chemistry and good team dynamics. They absolutely seem loose and they should seem loose right now.” With our Trade & Save program, you can get the best for less! All you have to do is bring in your eligible electronics and The Shack will give you a gift card for the appraised value. It’s the best way to get the newest gear for less. Mobile Phones MP3 Players Cameras S u " •Value will be given on a Radio Shack Gift Card Products must be in working condition and able to ' power on' in order to be appraised. Appraisal is offered a! the sole discretion of The Shack Trade & Save Program and is based on the device s condition, applicable processing fees and trade in of any included chargers, cables or other accessories, fill exchanges are final. Trade-in program not available where prohibited by local law. See participating stores for details. NlOOOl3-2ABS Tyler Sizemore/Collegian Sophomore Jackie Molinda (6) and freshman Emily Hurd (14) sit on the bench during the team’s Blue-White intrasquad scrimmage this week end. Molinda and Hurd are currently recovering from injuries. Ann Cook assistant coach buzzing. We should have a lot of confidence.” Hand-in-hand with the team’s upbeat outlook on the season is how the players are very loose and undaunted by the lofty task of winning yet another consequitive conference title. During a shootout following the scrimmage, Costa skipped on her approach to the ball, then turned around to laugh and shoot a quick smile back to her coach, who jokingly yelled at the young forward for her antics. Camcorders Visit your nearest Radio Shack: Nittany Mall 2901 East College Avenue 1621 North Atherton State College, (814) 237-1878 State College, (814) 235-6169 0 Radio Shack. The Daily Collegian As the two teams were announced, Carly Niness, Dani Toney and Emma Thomson huddled up and jumped around together to fire up the crowd and the rest of the team. Most of the players danced along with the music playing from the loud speakers as they warmed up before the game. “We have a good personality on this team right now,” Cook said. “Good team chemistry and good team dynamics. They absolutely seem loose, and they should seem loose right now.” To e-mail reporter: adal47@psu.edu jgAtt For more coverage on •4| jp- Penn State soccer throughout the season ON THE check out: BLOG psucollegian.com elvers Game Consoles
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