Standing guard
ADAMS TWP — Sarah Dailey has become accustomed to two things on the soccer field.
Starting and winning.
As a starter in high school, the 2014 Mars High graduate was part of three straight section championships, two WPIAL titles (2011 and 2012) and a state crown (2011) while playing goalkeeper for the Planets.
In two seasons as the top netminder at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Dailey has earned a record of 25-13-1 while helping the Panthers reach the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference title game both seasons.
An incoming junior, Dailey will be one of the players counted on to help the team’s transition as Marquis Walker recently took over as head coach.
Former Panthers’ coach Mike Idland was instrumental in helping Dailey take her game to another level.
“He was not only our head coach, but also worked with the goalkeepers,” said Dailey. “He critiqued my game and helped me on breakaways and crosses over the first two years. It transformed my game.”
Idland accepted the head coaching position at SUNY-Brockport last winter. Walker was hired to replace him a month ago.
“I was a little nervous, getting ready for a new season with a new coach coming in,” Dailey said. “But I talked with him (Walker) and I think we are going to work well together.”
Dailey was named Third Team All-AMCC as a freshman after posting six shutouts and a 1.26 goals-against average.
Her sophomore year yielded higher honors as she was First Team all-conference and was named AMCC Defensive Player of the Year. Dailey tallied six more shutouts, 113 saves and a 1.39 goals-against average while playing every minute of the season in net.
With Dailey as the Panthers’ last line of defense, the team gave up a conference-best 0.43 goals in its nine AMCC contests.
“There was a back for Pitt-Greensburg who was really good and I thought she had a good shot to win that (defensive) award,” Dailey said. “But at the end of the season, I looked at my stats and they were pretty good. I was a little surprised that I won, but very proud of my play.”
Dailey is looking to fine tune her game before the season starts.
“You can always improve with footwork and coming out to win balls when you need to,” she said, “but I’m very confident with where I’m at right now.”
Dailey is also optimistic about her team’s chances in 2016.
“We lost one core player from last year and we bring back a lot of talent,” she said. “I think we have what it takes to compete this season.”
The Panthers dropped the conference final to Penn State Behrend the last two years. If they find themselves one win away from the crown this season, Dailey is hoping the Panthers are ready mentally.
“We beat Behrend in the regular season both years,” she said, “but losing in the title game, I think it was psychological.”
