by McKenzie Quirin 

A blend of "new goals, new personalities and new tactics" encompasses the start of the 2023 season for the Penn State Altoona women's soccer program. With new additions and a relatively smaller group, the team looks to improve on its 6-7-5 overall record from last year, which included a 3-2-2 record within the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

Pam Snyder Etters, a 13-year head coach for the Lions, is still finalizing her current roster but believes the team is looking forward to a successful season.

"With a few late additions, we expect our depth to grow," said Etters. "Our roster is currently a little smaller than last year, but the team is looking forward to getting on the field against a real opponent to challenge themselves and establish our next steps for the season."

The Lions return 14 players - including three all-conference selections - from last year's team that reached the semifinal round in the AMCC tournament. The team also welcomes 12 new players to their roster this season.

Penn State Altoona was voted third in the 2023 AMCC preseason poll behind Pitt-Greensburg, who was voted first, and Penn State Behrend, who was voted second. The third-place vote according to Etters motivates the team as they stay focused.

"Our goal is to ultimately be our best. We know we cannot control what other teams will bring to the game, but we can absolutely control how we manage our training opportunities to collectively work towards our goals. This year, we want to simply improve on last year. Pre-season polls are fun, but we don't allow them to impact how we train, set our goals, or feel about our progress," Etters said.

Leading the offense and at forward/midfield this season is a well-established returner: senior Mallorie Smith (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte). Starting all 18 games last season, Smith was voted to first team on the All-AMCC squad, after ranking third in the league in penalty kicks made (2) and shots on goal (39), fourth in goals (11) and points (25), fifth in shots (59), 10th in game-winning goals (1), 12th in assists (3), and 18th in shot percentage (.186). Smith was also named AMCC's Offensive Player of the Week twice last fall.

Returning depth to the forward position are sophomores Jordan Yaletsko (Philadelphia, PA/Philadelphia Academy Charter) and Schenley Farrell (Philipsburg, PA/Philipsburg-Osceola). Yaletsko played in 17 games during her freshman campaign and ranked 29th in the AMCC in goals scored (2) and 41st in points (4). Farrell played in all 18 games during her freshman campaign, including 16 starts, and ranked seventh in shot percentage (.278), 13th in points (12), 14th in goals (5), 17th in assists (2), 30th in shots (18), and 40th in shots on goal (7). Farrell also was voted third-team All-AMCC.

Some of the new depth at the forward position are junior Mara Hockenberry (Bellefonte, PA/Bald Eagle) and freshman Emilee Roman (Davidsville, PA/Conemaugh Township).

At midfield the Lions will see seven returnees including sophomores Farrell, Hailey Yaletsko (Philadelphia, PA/Philadelphia Academy Charter), Sophia Nelson (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) and Rachel Rutkowski (Canonsburg, PA/Canon-McMillan) and juniors Amanda Hazel (Clearfield, PA/Clearfield), Camryn Kurilla (Mount Wolf, PA/Northeastern) and Sarah Schulz (Harrisburg, PA/Susquehanna Township).

Newcomers to the midfield group include junior Hockenberry and freshmen Taylor Matula (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex) and Roman.

Penn State Altoona's defensive efforts will be led by numerous returners including sophomores Dee Dee Abbott (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick) and Camryn Yaletsko (Philadelphia, PA/Philadelphia Academy Charter) and juniors Hazel, Hannah Brubaker (San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch) and Schulz.

Etters deems Abbott, a third-team All-AMCC pick last year, as a player to watch this season as she played in all 18 games last season on defense and recorded the most minutes amongst the team.

"Abbott played every minute of every match last season, logging the most minutes on the team," she said. "While she is just a sophomore, she will be asked to take on a lot of responsibilities in our back line. She is an intelligent player, and I have no doubt she is up to the task!"

Freshmen Mackenzie Latchford (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone), Erin McCarrie (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI) and Carly Neidig (Milton, PA/Milton) will bring new talent to the team's defense this season.

At goalkeeper, junior Baustert and senior Caitlin Cowen (South Park, PA/South Park) return for the Lions. Baustert started all 18 games last fall, logging 1561:54 time between the pipes and ranked first in the AMCC in minutes and shutouts (5), third in GAA (1.50), and fourth in saves (77), save percentage (.748) and wins (6). Cowen appeared in a pair of games and spent 58:06 in goal while being part of one combined shutout.

Penn State Altoona women's soccer gets its 2023 season underway this Friday, September 1, when the Lions compete on their home field against non-conference opponent Lycoming College at 3 p.m.