WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Throughout the summer, athletics.lycoming.edu is proud to feature a series of alumni profiles that will help reconnect Warrior fans with some of the remarkable athletes who have worn the Blue and Gold. Today's feature is on Kelly Prendergast '12, the college's only women's soccer player to earn the NCAA's Commonwealth Conference Woman of the Year award.
Prendergast stepped onto the field as a midfielder her freshman season and never left the field. Prendergast became one of the most durable and reliable players in Lycoming women's soccer history, as she played in all 68 games during her four years, tying her for second-most in program history.
Prendergast was as reliable in the classroom as she was on the soccer field. Along with winning the NCAA Commonwealth Conference Woman of the Year as a senior, Prendergast was also named the Lycoming College NCAA Woman of the Year for her efforts on the field and in the classroom. She was also named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll twice and she was also a part of the 2011 team that earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award, the first team in school history to win the award.
As a senior, Prendergast became one of 11 players in program history to post 10 career assists and she also notched two game-winning goals. Prendergast was also a part of the softball team as a freshman.
After graduating from Lycoming in 2012, Prendergast enrolled in the West Virginia University's Master of Sports Administration program and in May graduated from that program and is currently working on her second Masters in Integrated Marketing Communications.
Along with her continuing work in the classroom, Prendergast is also a graduate assistant in the athletic department's trademark licensing department, where she reviews requests for internal branding products and apparel. She also assists in executing marketing strategies for national and local campaigns, including College Colors Day, 12 Days of WVU Giveaways and Mountaineer Nation Day. Prendergast is also the head coach of the Mountaineer United Soccer Club Phantoms, a U-11 girls travel soccer team.
Athletics.lycoming.edu recently asked Prendergast a few questions about her time at the college and what advice she would have for today's soccer players.
You played in 68 games in your career at Lycoming, the second most in program history. What did you do to stay injury free those four years?I always made sure that I was in shape, especially in the off-season. No matter what my schedule was, I made myself run or workout every day. I also think being a three-sport athlete in high school helped me remain injury free because I was constantly working different muscle groups.
You were named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll twice in your career. How difficult was it to be successful in the classroom and play soccer?At certain points, it was very difficult to play soccer and remain successful in the classroom because of the amount of time that soccer took up in my schedule. Practices and traveling to and from games was very time-consuming. I had to learn how to manage my time appropriately and how to consistently remain organized. My time management skills along with my strong work ethic allowed me to be successful in the classroom while playing soccer.
How much of an honor was it to earn the Commonwealth Conference Woman of the Year and the Lycoming College Woman of the Year your senior year?I was incredibly honored to be named the Commonwealth Conference Woman of the Year and the Lycoming College Woman of the Year during my senior year. Throughout my time at Lycoming, I was extremely involved on campus. Not only was I playing soccer and taking classes, but I also was a student worker in the Sports Information Office and I was the Sports Editor for the Lycourier. This award acknowledged my hard work in all facets of my college life, not just my accomplishments on the field, and that is what makes it so meaningful to me.
What was the most memorable game that you played in at Lycoming?My most memorable game while playing at Lycoming was against Susquehanna my junior year. Susquehanna was always our biggest rival and we usually were evenly matched, but that game we beat them, 4-0, on their home field.
What are some of your favorite memories about attending Lycoming College? One of my favorite memories while attending Lycoming College was when the women's and men's soccer teams traveled to Europe. The trip was filled with unforgettable memories that included playing against some amazing European teams, touring Old Trafford (the home of the Manchester United), and sight-seeing in three different countries (England, Scotland and Ireland).
How did playing soccer prepare you for your future career?Playing soccer prepared me for my future career by teaching me valuable life lessons. Soccer taught me the importance of hard work, dedication and teamwork. These concepts were extremely important on the field, but I have found that they are just as important in situations off the field.
What advice would you give to players on today's Lycoming team?Enjoy every second of your college career because it goes by faster than you can even imagine.
Previous Catching Up With... Profiles
5/29/12 - Deanna (Cappo) Kirn, Women's Tennis
6/6/12 - Bekah Shipe, Women's Soccer
6/13/12 - Dr. Steven Hawley, Men's Swimming
6/19/12 - James O'Malley, Football
6/26/12 - Dan Leale, Wrestling
7/5/12 - Derek Crane, Wrestling
7/10/12 - Stan Kadelski, Men's Soccer
7/17/12 - Rebecca (Fox) Neil, Women's Swimming
7/24/12 - Joe Bunce, Men's Tennis
7/31/12 - Randy Cober, Golf
8/7/12 - MaryBeth (Schwindenhammer) McNicholas, Softball
8/14/12 - Erica (Weaver) Wagner, Women's Basketball, Softball5/9/14 - Jonathan Pribble, Men's Basketball5/16/14 - Caleb Shertzer, Football5/23/14 - Chuck Wells, Men's Swimming 5/30/14 - Kelly Wehrung, Women's Tennis 6/9/14 - Tim Deasey, Football6/13/14 - Shawn Rosa, Men's Lacrosse6/23/14 - Gretchen Hause, Volleyball6/29/14 - Kelly Prendergast, Women's Soccer
