After one year, two months, and 26 days, Penn State women’s soccer is finally set to take the field.

The Nittany Lions’ season-opener against Rutgers Friday is a culmination of months of uncertainty, training, and hard work. Despite playing a spring season amid unprecedented conditions, head coach Erica Dambach still has high expectations for her experienced team.

“Just like every season, we have three championships we could win,” Dambach said. “We want to compete, be the best team in the Big Ten, and compete for that national championship.”

There is no reason to believe that the Nittany Lions can’t live up to the lofty expectations set by Dambach. Last season, they went 17-7-1, winning the Big Ten Championship before losing to No. 1 Stanford in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament. The team now finds itself as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten.

The offseason saw the departure of a number of key impact players for the Nittany Lions, including Kaleigh Riehl and Amanda Dennis. Despite that, the team still possesses top-tier talent all over the field and can as be successful as in years past.

In Dambach’s eyes, the midfield is the team’s strongest area on the pitch.

“The quality of the middle of our midfield is as good as any midfield in the country,” Dambach said.

Sam Coffey is a key strength in the midfield. The senior from Sleepy Hollow, New York is in her second season with Penn State after transferring from Boston College. Coffey had 11 goals and 10 assists in 25 games in her debut season with the Nittany Lions, and this season, she was named to the watchlist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.

Coffey, Frankie Tagliaferri, and Cori Dyke will be the main trio for the Nittany Lions in the middle. Dambach has confidence in the three that if they have the ball at their feet, good things will happen.

As for other parts on the field, the front line for Penn State is also very experienced.

The other Nittany Lion who was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy pre-season watch list is Ally Schlegel. Schlegel had 13 goals and seven assists in her 2019 campaign and was named the Big Ten Freshman Of The Year.

It’s not just Schlegel leading the line, though, with other experienced forwards like Kerry Abello and Payton Linnehan also being expected to carry the goal-scoring load for the Nittany Lions. Further, Kristin Schnurr, who is returning as a graduate student, will be able to provide veteran goalscoring prowess if she can remain healthy.

The biggest worry on the pitch for the team is the backline. With the departure of Riehl and Dennis, along with Ellie Jean, the Penn State defense is left with some holes that need to be filled. Luckily for Dambach, the roster depth left behind those players means Penn State has experienced players that can step up and make a difference.

Even with that experience, true freshman Eva Alonso is someone Dambach expects to step in and play a big role on the backline for Penn State. Alonso played for Rayo Vallecano in her native Spain, earning multiple awards and accomplishments during her six years with the club.

“She’s incredible on the ball and reads the play very well,” Dambach said. “I think we’re in good hands with her leading that group along with Caitlin Haislip.”

The talent is there for the Nittany Lions to repeat as Big Ten champions and make a serious push for the National Championship. Dambach has no doubt that her team is ready to come out and play against Rutgers to start the season.

“We’re gonna go after this game and have a really attacking mentality,” Dambach said. “This is 11 months’ worth of excitement coming out in this group and I know I couldn’t tell them to sit back and defend even if we wanted to.”

The Nittany Lions begin their pursuit of another title at noon Friday against Rutgers. The game will be broadcasted on BTN+.