Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1476228
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 47 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Among the newcomers is senior Sel- eisa Elisaia, who will vie for the starting setter position after transferring from Cal State Bakersfield, where she won first-team All-Big West honors. She's battling freshman Katie Hurta for the starting job during preseason practice. The other transfers are senior outside hitters Zoe Weatherington, formerly of Utah, and Kashauna Williams, formerly of Long Beach State. While the Lions still have some ques- tions to answer, Schumacher-Cawley sees Trammell as one of the keys to the team's success this fall. Penn State had pursued the Louisville, Ky., native com- ing out of Henry Clay High but lost that recruiting battle to the Boilermakers. The transfer portal has given every- one a do-over if they want it, though, and when Trammell's name turned up there, Schumacher-Cawley was thrilled to get another chance at landing the two-time first-team all-state player. "We're happy Taylor chose Penn State the second time around," the Lions' new head coach said. "Obviously, she has some experience in the Big Ten that we need, and we're looking forward to her holding down the middle and doing some great things." ■ WOMEN'S SOCCER Incoming freshman midfielder Olivia Smith will be a late arrival at Penn State this fall, but she has a good reason: In July, the Whitby, Ontario, native was named to Canada's roster for the U-20 Women's World Cup, which runs from Aug. 10-28 in Costa Rica. Team Canada qualified for the World Cup by placing third at the CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship earlier this year. Smith was a member of that team, which outscored its opponents 32-1 in its seven matches. A soccer prodigy, Smith was 12 when she first appeared in the Canadian youth program in 2017 and 15 when she debuted with the Canadian Women's National Team in November 2019. She is the youngest player ever to see action for Team Canada. MEN'S SOCCER The Nittany Lions added three players to their 2022 recruiting class in July. Defender Ben Ofori of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., comes to Penn State from Pathfinder FC in the United Soccer League's developmental program, League Two. He also played for the New York Soc- cer Club of MLS Next. Nittany Lions coach Jeff Cook called Ofori "a talented and determined defender who we feel has huge potential to impact our program in the future." The other newcomers are goalkeeper Ryan Aiken of Orinda, Calif., and forward Atem Kato of Kapenguria, Kenya. Kato is a transfer from the University of Portland who will have sophomore eli- gibility at Penn State this fall. He finished his freshman season with 1 goal and 1 assist, both coming against 15th-ranked Northern Illinois. FIELD HOCKEY Graduate forward Grace Wallis has earned an invitation to the USA Field Hockey Development Squad Selection Camp, which will take place in either December or January. Athletes who are selected at the camp will have an opportunity to train with the U.S. Women's National Team in ad- vance of its International Hockey Federation Pro League matches in 2023. Wallis has previously played on the U.S. Women's National U-21 and U-19 teams. She has totaled 25 points in her career at Penn State, with 7 goals and 11 assists. — Matt Herb O L Y M P I C S P O R T S R O U N D U P Penn State is getting set to make a big investment in its field hockey program. In July, the university's board of trustees approved a $12.8 million renovation project that will transform the Penn State Field Hockey Complex over the coming year. The improve- ments will include new dressing areas, restrooms, concessions stands, a press box, broadcast booth and 1,200 bench seats. The current facility, located just west of Pegula Ice Arena, will remain in use this fall as construction continues on the new structure, most of which is being funded through private gifts. "We are looking forward to having a first-class facility that will benefit student-athletes, fans, family and friends," Penn State field hockey head coach Char Morett-Curtiss said. "It is a facility that will showcase high-level hockey and give us the opportunity to offer a premium experience to everyone when we host postseason events, both Big Ten and NCAA. "These improvements and additions will also turn the Penn State Field Hockey Complex into a venue that will allow us to host alumni events and other functions all year long." The new facility is expected to be completed by the fall of 2023. — Matt Herb Trustees Approve Field Hockey Renovation Project Penn State's field hockey venue is set to receive a $12.8 million makeover that will include upgrades to the team dressing areas, restrooms and concessions stands, among other improvements. IMAGE COURTESY PENN STATE ATHLETICS