Deadly duo at Behrend
ERIE — When it comes to Penn State-Behrend women's soccer, youth is being heard.
Taylor Troyan and Alex Bilka are among the louder voices.
The Lions recently completed a perfect season in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play (9-0) and posted a 13-5 overall record. They host an AMCC semifinal game Wednesday.
And they've done so with 17 of their 21 players being freshmen or sophomores. Troyan, a Butler graduate, is the team's sophomore goalkeeper. Bilka, a freshman forward from Seneca Valley, is Behrend's leading scorer.
“We've always had good players and they work hard every day,” Behrend coach Pat Driscoll said. “They buy into the theory that if you play hungry and work hard now, good things will happen later.”
Troyan and Bilka are living proof of that.
Troyan has helped the Lions record eight shutouts so far this season. She has made 56 saves, carries a 1.15 goals-against average and a .737 save percentage.
She allowed just two goals in conference play this season.
“This is a much younger team than last year and the dedication is unbelievable,” Troyan said. “There's good people playing in front of me and that makes my job so much easier.”
Driscoll agreed.
“Attacking can be a form of defending as well,” he said. “The other team can't score if you are controlling play. As a team, we defend pretty well, too.
“When we do have breakdowns, knowing Taylor is back there is a comfort. It's hard to beat her. She's made a number of outstanding saves.”
Bilka described Troyan as “the most well-rounded goalie I've ever seen.”
“She keeps her composure and she has a better view of the field than the rest of us. Taylor is very supportive that way in communicating things to us.”
Driscoll said Troyan has become more vocal this season.
“She was shy and quiet as a freshman ... not anymore. She's becoming a leader,” the coach said.
Candace Hatcher is Behrend's goalkeeper coach. She was a standout in net during her playing days at Nazareth.Troyan said her technique has improved through working with Hatcher.“She's worked with me in deflecting high balls over the crossbar, as an example,” Troyan said. “She's been very helpful.”Having a freshman explode on the scene like Bilka hasn't hurt, either. Troyan and Bilka played against each other in high school.Now they're close friends.“I dreaded playing against her,” Troyan said. “She's so fast and quick and she has a wicked shot — very powerful.”Bilka leads the Lions with 13 goals and 29 points this season. No one else on the squad has more than seven goals.“Alex is fast and athletic,” Driscoll said. “We knew the ability was there. The question was going to be how quickly she could adapt to the college game.“She adapted almost immediately.”Bilka has been a more prolific scorer ths year than she ever was in high school. She scored “maybe six goals” in her junior and senior seasons for the Raiders.“Patrick is the reason I came here,” Bilka, who also considered Slippery Rock, said of her coach. “When I visited here, the atmosphere was very welcoming.“I'm more of a team player and that's the whole attitude here. The shots have just been going in for me and the coaches have taught me so much.”Bilka confessed to playing tentatively at Seneca Valley.“I was afraid of being too aggressive with my play in high school,” she said. “I'm not afraid anymore to take chances. The coaches have helped me open up as a player.”“Alex is very coachable and applies everything she's taught to her game,” Driscoll said. “Next year will be more of a challenge because other teams have seen her now.”Bilka isn't concerned about any high scoring totals or potential records down the road.“I cane here to help the team become conference champion — which we are — and become a better individual and better player,” she said. “That's all.”
