Birth of a Program
PSF Soccer – Birth of the program
Now that the winter sports season is in full gear, let's take a look back on the inaugural season for the Penn State Fayette soccer team. From the first match, the first goal, the first win and every "first," the 2021 season will always be remembered as the foundation for what the program will become in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC). Recently, head coach David Koebler, Director of Athletics Steve Oberly and several players spoke about the season from their perspective. Considering the program had under two months to get ready for the season, everyone involved should be commended.
Inaugural season a success
Koebler knew the season would be tough on every level, but he was happy with how things went.
"The season was a complete success from any angle that you look at it, and that is not a patronization of the reality at all," he said. "There were so many naysayers who thought we couldn't get the program off the ground in 45 to 60 days, and I do mean 'we.' This was very much a collective effort. There are too many people to thank that helped us get this thing off the ground and keep it in the air. Just to name a few, the facilities department that kept our practice field playable, the cafeteria personnel that pitched in and made boxed lunches for away matches, our athletic trainer who I think works over 80 hours a week to keep over a hundred athletes healthy, our A.D. Steve and Athletic Coordinator Sam put in countless hours behind the scenes to make sure we had every opportunity to be successful. It was really an all-around collective team success. On top of all that, we scored goals! A team filled with more players who never played soccer than those who did play soccer scored goals! We also won a game, and didn't finish last in the conference, which many predicted wouldn't be possible. What is most important though is the fact that we earned a lot of respect from a lot of people along the way. We will continue to grow the program into next year along with I hope a launch of a dedicated women's program as well."
Oberly spoke about how far the soccer program came in such a short period of time.
"I think it should be pointed out that success can look a variety of ways," he said. "What we saw in this inaugural year was the commitment and support of an entire campus in lifting the program off the ground with minimal time and limited resources. With the hiring of Coach Koebler with only a few weeks before the start of the season, and the handful of recruits, his leadership, organization, and dedication to player development, was nothing short of exceptional. At no point was failure to recruit committed student-athletes an option. In addition, the student leadership of team captains Alec McLay and Dominic Boring, and others like Jorge Palmas, Wes Nixon, Pablo Gudiel, and Jtaya Pirl helped fortify that 'TEAM' culture, and the foundation by which the future of Fayette soccer will continue to grow and operate. These are the successes you want to see in an inaugural year - the ability to garner continued support from others and overcome immense adversities."
McLay the "Pioneer" of the soccer program
Oberly spoke about Alec McLay (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS) playing an important part in the birth of the Penn State Fayette soccer program.
"If you could credit a student as a pioneer for Fayette soccer, you must mention Alec McLay." he said. "Alec played boys soccer for the Laurel Highlands Mustangs and became an early advocate of the sport offering at Fayette all through his academic career. As early as his freshman year, he had approached the Athletics Department about the potential for soccer on campus. Over the years, he had been involved with the soccer intramural tournaments, and with the soccer club during its brief stint."
McLay (Laurel Highlands, PA/Laurel Highlands HS), a Business Management and Marketing Major, shared his perspective.
"We have tried for a few years (to get the program going)," he said. "We were supposed to have a team I believe about two years ago, but COVID ruined that. Steve sent me a text this past summer and told me the team was a go. I did not think it would be approved and I was very excited. Steve knew how bad I wanted us to have a team. It means a lot to me. A few other guys who were older and pushed for the program did not get a chance to be a part of the team, I am glad I was able to be a part of all of this. I am grateful. Just to be out there and be a part of history speaks for itself. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity."
McLay spoke about the moments leading up to the opening game. "It was (special) because I honestly did not think I would ever get the chance to play competitive soccer again, he said."
When asked how he will look back on the program in 20, 30 or 40 years, McLay did not hesitate.
"Hopefully by then, Fayette will have numerous championship rings," he said. "I will be honored to be looked at as one of the reasons the program started. I am incredibly grateful."
Koebler spoke about the important role McLay played and how he will be looked back on.
"Alec brought leadership by example and complete commitment to the program," Koebler said. "Alec attended Fayette for the reasons many of our campus body does: A Penn State degree that is available close to home at a very economical price point. Unfortunately for Alec, when he arrived at Fayette four years ago, there wasn't a soccer team. For a young man who played several years of high school varsity soccer, he was at a loss. From the moment the program was announced, Alec was all in. It was a chance for him to be back in the game and to fill a missing piece of his core DNA."
McLay's fitting moment
With all McLay did to get the program off the ground, the fact that he scored the first goal in the program's history is out of a movie. He scored the goal at Penn State Hazleton 1:12 into the match, and the goal gave Fayette its first lead ever.
"Before the game, I told my teammates this is the day we would score," he said. "A minute into the game Adrian (Edwards) sent me a through ball and I was not being stopped. I went around two defenders and put it in the bottom left corner. I was so excited and I was speechless. Thinking back on it now, I am blessed that I scored the first in team history. Knowing how hard I worked to help get the team, get back into soccer shape, and to lead this team. It means a lot to me."
Koebler shared his perspective on McLay scoring the first goal.
"His determination to push forward and score goals is the reason was the first player in program history to score a goal and the reason he had the most goals on the team this year," he said. "Alec was also a very important piece of the puzzle off the field. He got along with everyone on the team. He brought laughter and comradery to the away games, the sideline and behind the scenes in the locker room. I am very proud of Alec and all that he accomplished this year. He and the record books will never forget this season, and that gives me great joy to know he can carry those accomplishments and memories with him for the rest of his life." Oberly was one of several people who worked behind the scenes to get the soccer team off the ground, and he said that no one else deserved to score the first goal in program history.
"It's fitting that Alec was our first goal-scorer in Fayette soccer history," he said. "I couldn't be happier for him. He's been so committed to this program, even through the uncertainties. He's been there since day one and played a major role advocating for support and commitment amongst his fellow students. So much so that he was recently honored with the PSUAC John Fritz Sportsmanship award for his leadership and commitment to the program on and off the field."
Women soccer players to also be pioneers?
While the soccer team played a men's schedule, four women played on this year's co-ed team. The quartet included Marissa Grubbs (Belle Vernon, PA/Belle Vernon Area HS, Emily Rosie (Smithfield, PA/Albert Gallatin HS), J'Taya Pirl (Connellsville, PA/Connellsville HS) and Keyla Rivera (Vineland, NJ/Vineland HS). Koebler spoke about his approach as the season neared, knowing that there would be women on the team.
"Whenever I would have conversations with members of the soccer community outside Penn State or people in passing, there was always a stigma that came with the topic of a college level men's team that carried women on the roster," he said. "I heard, 'Are you really going to field a co-ed soccer team' more times than I could count. The women were some of the most competitive players we had on the team. What they may lack in physical size, speed and strength compared to their male counterparts, they make up for in effort, decision making, and ball control. It was as if the world around us couldn't mentally wrap their heads around the concept, that for some reason because there were women on the men's team playing in a men's conference, it made our team less official or less competitive. Launching a new program, and knowing Fayette intends to launch a women's soccer program in the near future, there are talented women soccer players on campus that will be the foundation for that team. If we did not provide them an outlet to use their skills, it would be detrimental to their individual development. They brought a lot to our team and I am forever appreciative of their efforts individually and collectively."
Koebler spoke more about the quartet.
"I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to coach Marrisa, Emily, Jtaya and Mikelya this season," he said. "They gave the team balance on and off the field. Without them I do not think the season would have been the same. "Marissa was in the starting line up on a regular basis. I would say she was better than at least half the men in the conference. Mikelya is a fierce competitor who doesn't accept defeat lightly. She was our backup keeper and made dozens and dozens of saves that came in from male opponents. Emily strategically knew the game and understood positional placement better than most of the guys on the team, which allowed her to be successful anywhere on the field that I put her. Jtaya had great vision this year with her distribution. She controlled the ball well under pressure from her male opponents and regularly found passing options that helped us to advance forward in matches."
Oberly shared his view on how the efforts of the four women who played on the soccer team could help mold the future.
"It's exciting to know that the PSUAC affords the campuses this opportunity within the men's soccer divisional structure," he said. "Part of our vision with Fayette soccer is to see a full women's program, who would compete in the women's division. Our female soccer student athletes are important members of the program because they represent the commitment to that vision. They help demonstrate that Fayette athletics family culture and will undoubtedly help lay the foundation for future Fayette women's soccer opportunities."
Pirl is the lone senior of the quartet and is majoring in Criminal Justice while minoring in psychology. She played mid-right and mid-left but had not played soccer since she was a kid.
"This was my first year playing soccer for a school team," she said. "I have not played since I was about seven years old. Playing on the men's soccer team was a little bit more challenging because it was more competitive, however, it was still fun being a part of this team."
Grubbs, who is majoring in Nursing and has a 3.7 GPA, began playing as a three-year old and transferred to Fayette after a year at Penn State Behrend. She spoke about her personal experience.
"I will continue to play for the men's team until I graduate," she said. "If they decide to have a women's team, that would be even better! Playing as a woman on a men's soccer team was very nerve racking. When you go from only playing with girls for years, to playing against men that are twice your size, it worries you a little. After a few games though, you end up getting used to it and you fit right in. This then lets you play soccer at your standard and progress to become a more physical player overall."
Rosie shared her thoughts.
"It has been very different playing on a men's schedule," she said while stressing the word very. "I have played with men with my indoor team, but being on a field with little to no women is very different. They are physically stronger and faster, so adapting to how they play has been a struggle. It definitely has been a blessing in disguise because it has strengthened me as a women's player and has taught me to look at the game differently."
Rivera plans to return to the team and is majoring in Criminal Justice. She spoke about her experience.
"It was different playing for a guys' team but it made me more competitive to fight to be able to play on a co-ed team," she said. "Being a female goalie, it was tough but I fought through the challenges."
The women shared their thoughts about playing against the other women playing in the PSUAC.
"There were a few teams that did have other women on them, but not all teams did," said Grubbs. "When we played against other women, I interacted with them during breaks on the field. We talked about their season and mainly how they felt about playing on a co-ed team."
"A few teams did have women on their team, but there weren't very many," said Rosie. "If I was on the field with them, I was usually on the opposite side of the field. I didn't get to talk or connect with them as I had hoped, but it was nice to see a few girls on the field with me."
"There were only one or two teams that had women but I didn't get time to actually get a connection with them," said Rivera, who played up on the field and also saw time in goal.
"There were a few other teams that had women playing for them too," said Pirl. "Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to connect with them."
What did playing on the inaugural team mean to the players?
"Playing on the inaugural soccer team at Fayette made me feel that the coaches had confidence in me to be able to compete against the men players," said Grubbs, who played center back, outside mid and center mid. "This showed me that Fayette was trying to improve the sports (department) and diversify what they already had. This experience gave me more confidence and memories to look forward to for my upcoming years."
Rosie is in her sophomore year and plans on returning next year if her classes give her free time as a Nursing major. She played outside midfield and striker and has played soccer since eighth grade. She spoke about the experience.
"Playing on the inaugural team at Fayette meant connecting with teammates who I would otherwise not talk to during the school day," she said. "I've met so many new people and have become close to some of my now-best friends while being on this team. It was so nice to be a part of a team again, even if it was a struggle because I was playing with primarily men. I took a lot of new friends out of this experience. I know I've said this before but I'll say it again, the people I've become close to will be my friends for a lifetime. I also learned so many skills from Coach Koebler that will stick with me. I didn't have a great foundation in soccer and he worked very hard to break me out of my bad habits and make me become a better player. I wasn't on the team for the entire season, I joined pretty late into the season, but everyone welcomed me with open arms and I'm so thankful for that."
"Playing on the team this year meant a lot to me and I built some friendships I'll never forget about including with our coach," Rivera said. "I will take out this experience to never give up because no matter what I pushed myself to continue and never gave up."
"I was very excited to be a part of the first Fayette soccer team," said Pirl. "It was a great experience. Everyone got along very well together, especially coming from diverse backgrounds. We managed to come together from different sports teams and help one another learn the game as well as support and encourage one another. I will no longer be hesitant on participating in new group activities or organizations. I've met a lot of new people and formed new bonds and relationships that I would have never made if I did not join this team."
Assistant coach Hunter Petrosky's impact
Although he didn't get hired until midseason due to Penn State's thorough hiring process, assistant coach Hunter Petrosky played a key part of the team's improvement as the season went along.
Koebler spoke about what Petrosky brought to the table.
"Hunter joined us late in the season but his impact was immediately felt," Koebler said. "Hunter is bright, full of energy, positive, and a young up and coming soccer coach. Because Hunter is closer in age to the players than I am, he helps to bridge the generational gap. The players connected with him very quickly and vice versa. Hunter was also a stellar soccer player, in his own right so he brings with him a keen understanding of the game. The players love him, and I am really looking forward to seeing him blossom in the role."
It could be said that Petrosky coaching was his destiny. Afterall, he started his coaching career while still in high school.
"I was a coach for a 12-year old soccer (team) my senior year of high school," he said. "Since then I have been a coach for a soccer camp at Loyalhanna United coaching four-year old's through high school seniors."
Petrosky then spoke about the growth he saw in Fayette's team from when he officially started until the end of the season.
"The growth in the team was indescribable," he said. "They grew more than just as athletes, they grew as young adults. Soccer wise, they took leaps and bounds."
Petrosky feels that his experience playing and coaching will be beneficial.
"I bring a lot of soccer knowledge as a whole, as I played for 16 years, including a year in college," he said. "I can really connect to the team due to the age similarities and that helps connect coaches to players as a whole. This offseason is going to be so exciting for recruiting. This team has so much potential because as a team we can only go up. Our record wasn't very good but it shows we can grow and only go up."
First official recruiting cycle is underway
With this past season's team being patched together, Koebler and Petrosky are firing on all cylinders in putting their fingerprints on the 2022 team.
"This is really the biggest task we have for next year," said Koebler of the process. "My winter, spring and fall schedule is slammed packed with over fifteen college showcases to attend up and down the eastern seaboard."
Koebler followed up by speaking about challenges the program faces.
"The unfortunate reality is we have a lot of things working against us," he said. "I have talked to no less than nineteen recruits over the last few months and there are recurring themes to their potential disinterest in our program. Some of the features and benefits that other programs have we do not have. We do not have a home field, we do not have dorms, we do not have a long history of success, we have a limited amount of bachelor degrees offered and we need a lot of players to fill up a roster 18 or more. Other sports at Fayette also carry the hurdle of not having dorms but they have home fields/courts on campus, their rosters are much smaller and the have years of success. Not to mention other schools in the NCAA, USCAA and PSUAC have more to offer than we do at Fayette."
Koebler spoke about the selling points being used.
"Our message to our recruiting class is this: They will have immediate ability to make an impact here at Fayette. Playing time will be abundantly available. They will have the opportunity to earn a degree from one of the most prestigious and well-known universities in the world. They will also have the opportunity to grow as an individual and player and our coaching staff will motivate you to be the best student and player you can be."
The first offseason
Other than recruiting, there are other aspects that Koebler spoke about leading into the 2022 season.
"The culture of the program will progress, specifically in terms of cardio, strength and conditioning," he said. "Only a few players on the roster were physically ready for the demands of a full-length soccer match, which was to be expected since none of them were given time to prepare through the off-season and summer months. However, moving into the USCAA next year there are FIFA implemented rules about player substitutions per half. Our players will need to be in much better shape, so we intend to implement an off-season training and summer training program that prepares them (along with incoming freshmen) for next season."
For more information on the soccer team, go to http://www.psfathletics.com/sports/msoc/index.
Written by Bill Hughes