GREENSBURG — Emily LoPresti received the workout packet from Seton Hill University women’s soccer coach Andy McNab this summer.

The instructions were clear — it was going to be a tough summer.

LoPresti, though, wasn’t fazed. In fact, the Karns City graduate who left the Gremlins with more than 100 career goals, took things a step further.

“I’d do what was in the packet every single day,” LoPresti said. “Plus, I’d do two hours of soccer stuff.”

She went far beyond what was expected and it drew attention from the Seton Hill coaching staff.

That extra work paid off big for LoPresti, who wrapped up her freshman season with the Griffins with nine goals and five assists.

It was the most goals scored by a freshman at Seton Hill since the Griffins moved into the NCAA in 2008. She finished the year in the top 10 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in goals and points and led the conference in shots on goal.

Karns City girls soccer coach Tracy Dailey was not surprised about LoPresti’s immediate impact at the college level.

“She’s a strong, hard-working forward who is very dangerous anywhere in front of the net,” Dailey said.

“You always wonder how they will adjust to the environment and playing at a higher level of competition,” Dailey added. “I checked in on her quite a few times throughout the season and she was adjusting well and learning their system and, most importantly, loving it. I knew after I talked with her when preseason was over and she still loved it she was going to do well.”

LoPresti said her success all went back to her summer preparation.

“I’m sure it did get me noticed,” LoPresti said. “Obviously, it worked out for me.”

And LoPresti has gotten noticed after the season as well.

Last month she was named to the conference’s third team. Last week, LoPresti was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All Atlantic Region Team as a third team selection.

“It’s really exciting,” LoPresti said of the post-season recognition. “I worked really hard for it and for the team.”

LoPresti, though, was nervous coming into a Division II program from Karns City.

Her concerns were two-fold: she knew the level of competition was going to be much stronger and, as a first-year player, she didn’t want to overstep her role.

“In high school, I could just run by people,” LoPresti said. “My footwork wasn’t very good, so I worked a lot on that. In college, everyone has speed and everyone is as big as you. I worked on stuff I thought I would need.

“Also, at first, I was scared to take over someone’s position,” LoPresti added. “I didn’t want to come in and take someone’s position or step on people’s toes.”

LoPresti, though, got over it.

In her first collegiate action, she scored the game-winning goal against Pitt-Johnstown. She scored four goals in her first six matches and finished with 1.22 points per game.

Even LoPresti was a bit surprised by that fast start.

And she quickly noticed a change in how opponents played her.

“After I had four goals in those first five or six games, people started to mark me,” LoPresti said. “They looked out for me more.”

LoPresti took that as a compliment.

And as a challenge.

Even though the season has been over for nearly a month, LoPresti can still be found on the soccer pitch most days working on her footwork and working to get better.

“Me and my friends still go to the field and do some stuff,” LoPresti said. “Soccer never ends.”