College Corner: Delaware Soccer Midfielder Melissa Pennington

Melissa Pennington is expected to play a bigger role for the women’s soccer team at Delaware this fall. She doesn’t mind if it involves waiting her turn each game.

Pennington is a junior at the University of Delaware who emerged as one of the Blue Hens’ top players off the bench a year ago. The Royersford native is still coming off the bench this season, but Pennington is being counted on to provide a bigger contribution in 2011.

“I enjoy coming off the bench,” said Pennington.  “It gives me a little fire and I have fresh legs.  I have a better sense of what I need to do and what I should be doing.”

The Blue Hens have already played six games this season and Pennington has been a key contributor. She leads the team in scoring with two goals and one assist. After playing forward last season, Pennington has moved to midfield and has been one of the team’s top all-around players.

“We only lost two seniors,” Pennington said. “But I was looking to become a midfielder, something I hadn’t done since my freshman year. I worked hard in the off-season and I’m getting more playing time this year.”

Delaware is off to a 2-3-1 start, but Pennington believes the Blue Hens are ready to contend in the Colonial Athletic Conference. With an expanded playoff format, Pennington is hoping to get a taste of post-season play in November.

“I think that we have an amazing team this year,” said Pennington.  “There’s a lot of diversity on our team.  I believe in this team and I think we have a great chance of making it to the playoffs.  I think it’s about to come together and we’re working really hard.”

Before arriving at Delaware, Pennington made her mark at Spring-Ford High School. Pennington was a three-year letterwinner and was a first-team Pioneer Athletic Conference selection during her senior year.  Pennington also excelled off the field as a member of the distinguished honor roll and gifted program. She believes her time at Spring-Ford helped her both on and off the field.

“It gave me a competitive edge,” Pennington said. “I loved being a leader there. When I was a senior, a lot of freshmen went to me for advice. It also helped me love the game. I was really having fun.”

Pennington’s college choice wasn’t surprising. She had spent plenty of time at Delaware thanks to her parents, who both graduated from the university. However, Pennington initially had thoughts about going elsewhere before choosing to follow in her parent’s footsteps.

“I’ve grown up coming here,” said Pennington. “When I started looking at schools, Delaware wasn’t above all of the other schools. I came on my visit here and it was a homely environment. My parents never pressured me to come here, but when I chose Delaware, they were happy.”

While Pennington will be keeping busy on the soccer field this fall, she remains focused on her academics.  Pennington is an Elementary Education major who is hoping to work in special education.

“I’ll be doing my student-teaching with special education kids,” Pennington said. “It will be a strictly special-ed environment, and I’m excited about that.”

When her days of college soccer come to a close, Pennington plans on keeping soccer as part of her life as she enters the real world.  She would also welcome the opportunity to return home after graduation.

“I’d love to come back to Spring-Ford and maybe teach or coach,” said Pennington. “I feel like everyone from Spring-Ford pretty much knows each other. It would be cool to see kids I’ve watched grow up go through it all. Soccer will always be part of my life.  As long as I can play, I’ll play.”