When goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher departs from the No. 9 Penn State women's soccer team in October to play in the U.S. under-20 World Cup team, one of two freshmen will have to take her place.
And that's OK with coach Erica Walsh.
The Nittany Lions brought in 10 new players over the offseason, yielding the No. 18 recruiting class in the nation, according to Soccer Buzz Magazine.
Since players with first-year eligibility -- including both true and redshirt freshmen -- make up almost half of the team, the incoming class will be seeing valuable time throughout the season.
Over the summer, the newcomers lived with the upperclassmen while training in State College to get a jump-start on building team chemistry.
"We had to see each other all the time because they were literally living on our couches and futons," team captain Jessie Davis said. "It was pretty forced that we were going to be together."
Through spending both practice and spare time with each other, the freshmen quickly became integrated into the team. Walsh said she was impressed with how well the team had meshed together on its own.
"The freshmen have had nothing but a positive impact so far," midfielder Zoe Bouchelle said. "Already I've felt like they're a huge part of this team."
Walsh said freshmen in all positions will likely see significant playing time this year. Players such as defender Bri Garcia, New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association's 2008 player of the year, and defender/midfielder Emma Thomson, three-time player of the year in England, will be expected to contribute throughout the season.
The only freshman guaranteed to see starting time is either Hartmann or Tribbett, who will play in early matches to prepare for Naeher's midseason departure. Naeher will be unavailable during a stretch of matches in October and for an unknown amount of time in the NCAA tournament, should the Lions advance.
Hartmann and Tribbett's pre-collegiate experience has Walsh at ease about losing one of her best players. Hartmann gained first team all-state honors in her time at Seven Lakes High School in Texas, while Tribbett recently led the Colorado Rush Nike to the U-18 Youth Soccer national championship.
"The biggest issue with most freshmen is they're taken out of their comfort zones in front of bigger collegiate crowds," Walsh said. "We're going to give them the opportunity early in the season to play comfortably in that role."
