Ask any WPIAL girls soccer coach to name the best goal scorer in the area and the first name mentioned likely will be Canon-McMillan's Taylor Schram.
A two-time Region II (East) All-American, she is the only WPIAL player named a national All-American by the National Soccer Coaches' Association of America.
She scored a WPIAL-high 52 goals this season, including five of the team's eight in the playoffs. She has committed to play at Penn State.
How has your game developed over the last four years?
I think I have a lot more composure in front of the net, my shot got a lot stronger and I think I'm better able to handle the pressure.
How much did you learn from playing against boys as you were growing up?
It definitely helped my speed of play because the boys are definitely a lot faster and maybe a little tough, too. I think I'm better able to take hits, but I'm not physical because I'm pretty small. But I can handle the physical aspect of the game.
What do you think you have to improve on when you start playing at the next levelâ¢
The speed of play in college is a lot faster. I have to get a lot faster and sharpen everything, like my first touch and distributing the ball a little bit quicker because I played midfield for every other team, except high school, so I'm more of a passer than a shooter.
You scored 145 career goals this season, and passing is the best part of your game?
Not in high school because I play forward, but for my Beadling club teams I play midfield and I consider myself more of a passer. I think it's an underrated part of my game because I don't have a lot of assists.
What was the thing about Penn State that drew you there?
I had heard great things about the coach (Erica Walsh) about her Olympic experience and I heard really good things about her from players I know that go there. The coach was the first thing that led me there, and it just went from there. I originally had never considered staying around here or staying up north, because I wanted to go south and play. Penn State wasn't even in my top 16 at the end of my sophomore year, and I gave it shot and it went from there.
What do you like to do when you're not playing soccer?
I like to hang out with my friends, but I don't do anything else really. I'm always training in some form for soccer whether it's lifting, running, practicing.
What's the last book you read and what did you think of it?
"Hamlet" by William Shakespeare in an English class because I had to. I did not like it.
What's your favorite movie?
That's a tough question because there are so many movies, but I would say "Stepbrothers," because it's just hilarious and it gets funnier every time I watch it.
Tribune-Review Girls soccer all-stars
Jordan Calabria
Moon · Senior · Midfielder
The skinny: Led team with 19 goals this season and will continue her career at St. Bonaventure...Two time all-WPIAL selection and an all-state choice this year.
Paige Foughty
Franklin Regional · Senior · Midfielder
The skinny: Scored 19 goals this season and finished her career with 52. ... A three-time all-WPIAL selection and was named all-state for the first time this year.
Mara Hricik
Moon · Senior · Goalkeeper
The skinny: Allowed only two goals this season, and her goals-against average of 0.15 is a state record and ranks fifth in the nation this season.
Megan Junker
Peters Township · Senior · Goalkeeper
The skinny: A St. Bonaventure recruit, she set the school's all-time record with 55 shutouts and backstopped the Indians to the 2008 and 2009 WPIAL Class AAA titles games and the 2008 state finals.
Caroline Keefer
Moon · Senior · Midfielder
The skinny: Pitt recruit was one of the team captains for the Tigers. ... Led the team in goal scoring as a junior and finished her career with 64 while earning all-WPIAL (twice) and all-state honors.
Kate Kelly
Seneca Valley · Senior · Forward
The skinny: Helped the Raiders to their second WPIAL Class AAA title in three years. ... Scored 11 goals this year and finished her career with 45. ... Named all-WPIAL and all-state for the first time.
Brittany Loveland
Springdale · Senior · Forward
The skinny: Led Springdale to WPIAL Class A title and the state finals with 39 goals and 11 assists and finished her career with 126 goals. ... Named Region II (East) All-American by the NSCAA.
Alexa Sarsfield
Springdale · Senior · Midfielder
The skinny: Garnered all-state, All-WPIAL and all-section honors. ... Finished second on team in goals (16) and third in assists (13).
Taylor Schram
Senior · Canon-McMillan · Forward
The skinny: Led the WPIAL in goals scored this season with 52 and finished her career with 145. ... Was an all-WPIAL and all-state selection for the second consecutive year and was the only WPIAL girl named All-American by the National Soccer Coaches' Association of America.
Bethany Smyda
Penn-Trafford · Senior · Forward
The skinny: Named all-WPIAL twice and was chosen for the all-state team this year. ... Scored 64 goals in her past three seasons, including 27 in 2009.
Lauren Yobbi
South Park · Junior · Midfielder
The skinny: Veteran of big games, she helped South Park reach three WPIAL Class AA championship games (two victories) and a state title game. ...Scored 12 goals with 12 assists this season and has 48 and 28 for her career.
