The Penn State Altoona women's soccer team hopes that a balance of experienced returning players and talented newcomers will help the Lions ascend the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference standings in 2024.

The team was picked fifth in this year's edition of the Preseason Coaches' Poll, after the Lions went 5-11-2 overall last fall, including a 4-4-1 mark within the AMCC. Penn State Altoona was the sixth seed in last season's AMCC Tournament, and the team hit the road for an upset win over third-seeded Hilbert College in the first round. The Lions reached the semifinal round of the playoffs, where they fell to eventual conference champion Pitt-Greensburg.

Head coach Pam Snyder Etters, who is entering her 14th season at the helm of the women's soccer program, projects that her team's success will be built upon strong play in the back end.

"Defensively, I expect us to be more stable and organized. Our back line will be led by senior Hannah Brubaker (San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch). Hannah enters her senior season having been a starter in our back since her freshman campaign. Her maturity and leadership will be critical with some young talent surrounding her, but I know she is up to the task. We also return Erin McCarrie (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI), who is one of the hungriest players on the team. She is always seeking guidance and adjusting her game to improve," said Etters. "The other two positions on the back line will likely see some fresh faces with three solid freshmen really vying for time. Kylei Martin (Mifflinburg, PA/Mifflinburg), Madeline Boser (Beaver, PA/Beaver), and Grace Turner (Stevensville, MD/Kent Island) are all showing tremendous poise and promise."

Behind the defense, Etters is excited to feature a pair of experienced goalkeepers.

"In net, we have two core returners making cases for significant time in senior Adeline Baustert (Apollo, PA/Apollo-Ridge) and sophomore Nicole Schwartz (Clifton, NJ/Passaic County Technical Institute)," she said. "Both look sharp early in the season and will surely push each other throughout the year. Each of them should also expect to contribute on the field as well, as both are solid field athletes."

At midfield, Etters is excited for the combination of versatility and experience that highlight the position.

"With the strong influx of defensive talent, that releases Rachel Rutkowski (Canonsburg, PA/Canon-McMillan) into our midfield. Coming off a stellar sophomore year, we have high expectations for her a little higher up the pitch," Etters explained. "She will be accompanied by some veterans like senior Amanda Hazel (Clearfield, PA/Clearfield), sophomore Taylor Matula (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex), and junior Hailey Yaletsko (Philadelphia, PA/Philadelphia Academy Charter). All of them bring experience to the field and will be a major lift to our game this year. In the attacking role, freshman Taylor Frederick (Mifflinburg, PA/Mifflinburg) is expected to provide a spark and has already shown great maturity in her game."

The forward position also returns a solid core of players, including one of the AMCC's top goal scorers in recent history.

"Up top, we have an undeniable threat in fifth-year senior Mallorie Smith (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte). I know many of our opponents will be surprised to see she is back after making the decision to take her COVID year. She has helped us rebuild the program over her time with us, and she is at the top of her game heading into season," said Etters. "We also return juniors Jordan Yaletsko (Philadelphia, PA/Philadelphia Academy Charter) and Sophia Nelson (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) up top. Last year, Jordan spent the majority of her playing time in our back line out of pure necessity, but this year she will be back up front where she prefers and is looking to make an impact. Sophia comes off a breakout sophomore season and is looking to continue building on her successes. Other players expected to make significant contributions include sophomores Bella Marinelli (Florham Park, NJ/Hanover Park) and Isabel McEvoy (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) and freshman Bridget Martin (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central)."

Penn State Altoona opens its 2024 schedule at home on Friday, August 30, facing Penn College at 6 p.m. The Lions run through six more non-conference opponents in September before kicking off their AMCC schedule with a home tilt against La Roche University on Tuesday, October 1 at 6 p.m. The team will play out its eight-date conference schedule during October.

"All in all, we are anticipating a competitive year," Etters stated. "While we are a relatively young squad, we have quality leadership and upperclassmen that are engaged and poised to have a strong showing this fall."