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Penn State Women’s Soccer Adds Three Transfers To 2022 Roster

Penn State women’s soccer officially added three transfers to its 2022 roster, the team announced earlier this week.

Forward Penelope Hocking, midfielder Olivia Smith, and defender Cassie Hiatt are coming to Happy Valley. While it became official Tuesday, Hiatt, who previously played for Texas Tech, announced her commitment to Erica Dambach’s program last week. The commitments of the three transfers bolstered the Nittany Lions’ 2022 recruiting class ranking to No. 1 in the nation, according to TopDrawerSoccer.

Hocking, a graduate transfer from the USC, played for the Trojans for four years and will use her final year of eligibility with the Nittany Lions. The Anaheim, California, native became USC’s all-time leading goal scorer in 2021 with 54 career goals and was named a third-team All-American during her senior year.

To name just a few, Hocking earned the 2021 Pac-12 Forward of the Year award, was named first-team All-Pac-12 in 2021, and was a 2020 first-team All-American. Additionally, Hocking was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2018. She posted 53 starts in 72 games during her career at USC.

Hocking led the Trojans to a 14-3-3 overall record in a 2021 season that ended with a loss to Penn State in penalty kicks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Dambach’s second transfer commitment came from 17-year-old midfielder Olivia Smith, who is a freshman flip from Florida State. Smith originally signed to play for Florida State in December and was participating in the Seminoles’ spring training but ultimately withdrew and chose the blue and white.

At 15, Smith became the youngest player to make the roster for the Canadian Women’s National Team in 2019 and posted two caps for the team. Since then, Smith played for the U-20 Canadian Women’s National Team and was named the 2019 Canadian Youth International Player of the Year.

“The transfer portal has been very good for us this spring, and we have been able to bring some incredible talent to Happy Valley,” associate head coach Ann Cook said.

Along with Hiatt, both Hocking and Smith will likely help the Nittany Lions improve upon their 12-8-1 overall record in 2021. Additionally, Penn State women’s soccer signed seven freshmen to its 2022 recruiting class. The recruiting class was ranked fifth in the nation before Hocking, Smith, and Hiatt’s commitments. It now sits at No. 1 in the nation.

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About the Author

Keeley Lamm

Keeley is a junior journalism major from Richmond, Virginia, and is Onward State's managing editor. She also talks about awesome stuff on our podcast, Podward State. Keeley is a lover of grilled cheese and Kevin Jonas. If you'd like to share your thoughts on the superior Jonas Brother, feel free to contact her on Twitter @keeleylammm or send your best joke to her email [email protected].

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