Campus' impending closure not putting a damper on 2nd season for Penn State New Kensington's women's soccer team

The ride of the Penn State New Kensington women’s soccer team is ending after barely getting off the ground.

Previously a club team, the women’s soccer team became a full-fledged varsity program in 2024. Of course, since then, word has come down that the New Kensington campus is one of several Penn State branches that will close after the 2026-27 academic year.

Coach Blair Gantz, who was hired two weeks before the Lions’ inaugural season, is undaunted. And like their male counterparts on campus, the women intend to go out on a high note.

New Ken played eight matches last season, winning only its final two. But winning any matches was nothing short of a miracle considering Gantz had only four “true” soccer players on the roster. The rest were athletes she coaxed from PSNK’s softball team.

As the 2025 season opens, Gantz can’t hide her enthusiasm. She was able to bring in more true soccer players despite the campus’ fate.

“Most of the players who were coming in are still coming based on the specific major they have,” Gantz said. “And they still want to be part of the Penn State school system, so, when (New Ken) does close down, they can go to (Penn State) main or another branch. So I lucked out a little bit.”

Samara “Sam” Ayodele and Bella Oskin (Knoch) headline the list of returning players. Ayodele, a native of Maryland, had nine goals and two assists last season, earning United States Collegiate Athletic Association honorable mention all-American honors.

“I, honestly, didn’t have any expectations,” Ayodele said. “And then seeing (the announcement) on my phone when I woke up, I was like, ‘Wow!’

“I feel like I came in with a lot of confidence. I realized how much was at stake because this was going to be our first impression for our soccer (program). I made sure to keep my head up and keep going, keep pushing.”

Added Gantz: “When she gets behind (the defense), she’s a killer. She has a nose for the goal. She just goes right to it. With our new midfield cleaning up our services to her, we’re going to elevate her even more.”

Oskin, meanwhile, had six goals and two assists. Gantz said Oskin, a product of the prolific Beadling club, easily could be playing NCAA Division II soccer or perhaps even Division I. But she was one of those players Gantz mentioned who found PSNK to be a perfect fit.

Gantz said incoming freshman keeper Dana Barczykowski (Burrell) also could be playing at a higher level. Gantz has coached her in club soccer.

“I will almost promise that by the end of the season she will be an all-American,” Gantz said. “Her experience from goal is something this conference has not seen.”

Another Burrell grad, second-year player Andi Householder, will help Barczykowski give New Ken a formidable defense.

Asked what her expectation for the 2025 season is, Gantz doesn’t hesitate. She wants to win the conference, and she doesn’t see that goal as mere lip service.

“Let’s show them, you should have left us here,” she said. “We were looking to build something, build a program, build a structure, and (the campus closure) was kind of a blow. But with that, this group is ready to come out and prove themselves.”

Added Ayodele: “Talking to my teammates about it, everybody was kind of let down … but I just kind of used that as an opportunity to keep motivating myself, keep motivating my teammates like, ‘Hey, this is what we have to work with, and we have to just keep pushing through this.’

“I feel like that’s the only way you can look at it. It is happening, so you have to make the best of it.”