Penn State’s women’s soccer coach, Erica Dambach, and her staff made some acquisitions in the transfer portal and have brought on two new Nittany Lions. Lily Boyden and Paige Kalal, both from Big Ten opponents, have been brought into the program to continue its success.

Boyden, a senior at UCLA, will play her final year of soccer at Penn State. Boyden was integral to the Bruins’ 2025 season. The defender from Salt Lake City, Utah, started in 12 of 16 games, scoring the game-winner in one of them.

She spread her minutes across both ends of the pitch and climbed her average minutes per to 63. Boyden’s sole goal of the season came against Portland, as a game-winner from the backline; she tallied an assist earlier in the season.

Her production for UCLA guided them into the top-ranked defensive unit in collegiate soccer with a staggering team goals-against average of .470. Notably, UCLA held Penn State to a single goal in the quarterfinal of the Big Ten Tournament.

Boyden’s collegiate career began with the Washington State Cougars, where she entered her first year as the 70^th-ranked freshman in the nation, according to TopDrawerSoccer.

The transfer stated her excitement to finish her collegiate career in Happy Valley and looks forward to the incredible coaching staff.

Dambach’s staff brought in another Big Ten foe with the addition of Kalal, a senior forward from Minnesota. Kalal tallied 13 points for the Golden Gophers over 17 starts and assisted the game-winning goal against Marquette via a corner kick.

Hailing from Minnesota, Kalal played her first three seasons for her state school. Starting in all 22 matchups last season and posting 10 assists, the forward earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Kalal helped Minnesota on its run to the Sweet 16, providing a dynamic attack.

Her final campaign for the Golden Gophers was her best yet. She notched five goals, including a two-goal game against St. Thomas. Twenty-two of her 39 shots landed on goal for a solid .564 SOG%.

Kalal chose Penn State for its high academic and athletic standards that push their players to be great. The program’s attention to detail and commitment to player development caught her attention, and Kalal emphasized her excitement to bring her strengths to Happy Valley.