Penn State women’s soccer head coach Erica Dambach has a lot to be proud of this season. She recorded her 300th win with the Nittany Lions earlier this year when Penn State beat Bucknell 5-0. 

For her, though, the 2026 season won’t be defined by personal milestones but by team success.

Now, as the Nittany Lions prepare for the Big Ten Tournament, and after years of success as a coach, Dambach feels she has improved in the process of preparing for tournament play.

“Early on, [we’re] so anxious to solve things, so anxious to give them solutions and answers to all the questions that they have,” Dambach said. “Now [we] have to give them space for situations that they have to figure out in training, and then space to figure it out together.”

Dambach and her staff are confident that the team is prepared to handle whatever is thrown at them, especially in a conference like the Big Ten.

The size and talent of the Big Ten mean Penn State has faced a different game plan almost every week.

“[They’ve] seen every shape, every formation, low block, high press, all of it,” Dambach said. “[They have] all of the tools that they need to break down whatever these teams throw at us.”

Dambach also said the quick preparation the Big Ten demands has helped the team learn to work together better. They need to solve tough situations in the moment, especially against talented opponents like No. 5 Michigan State. 

Come crunch time, teams often lean on their best players to make plays and win games. The Nittany Lions, however, have a roster full of players ready to step up at a moment’s notice.

Penn State standouts include goalkeeper Mackenzie Gress and forwards Aubrey Kulpa and Paige Kalal, but nine freshmen are stepping up as well. Dambach said the young players have matured throughout the year and continue to grow into bigger roles as the weeks go on.

In total, the class has recorded nine goals, 10 assists, and 28 points.

A large reason for the freshmen’s quick assimilation to college sports is the Nittany Lions’ leadership group. Dambach said Molly Martin and Gress helped the freshmen feel comfortable and like they had a place on the team.

Penn State’s combined focus has been a strong point all season, and now it’s pointed at Purdue.

In the two teams’ last meeting — which ended in a 2-2 tie — the defense limited Purdue to just seven shots, its season low, just behind the Boilermakers’ nine shots at UCLA, holding Purdue to a 28.6% shot percentage.

A stellar performance, however, did not lead to a win, and it left a bad taste in the Nittany Lions’ mouths.

“If you asked this team who they wanted to play again, they would have said Purdue,” Dambach said. “They very much feel like there’s unfinished business. I think they walked off the field with that tie, very disappointed.”

No. 6 Penn State women’s soccer will get its chance at revenge on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri. 

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