As Good as She Wants to Be
October 25, 2018 02:31 PM | Women's Soccer
Hannah Abraham was destined to be a Mountaineer.
While other prospective student-athletes spend years researching programs, locations and schools' legacies, the senior forward knew since middle school that becoming a Mountaineer was her ultimate goal. As a member of Mountaineer United, a youth club with ties to the women's program, Abraham was more than familiar with the Morgantown soccer scene and the legacy of the women's soccer team at West Virginia University.
"There's actually a photo of me when I was young with (associate head coach) Marisa (Kanela) in the background, it's crazy," she said.
Abraham spent several years playing for Mountaineer United under former WVU assistant coach, Nikki Goodenow. Through Goodenow, Abraham became acquainted with coach Izzo-Brown, who told her she was "going to be a Mountaineer." She committed to WVU as soon as possible after her freshman year at Albert Gallatin High.
"I visited Penn State because they were interested, too. They were close so I decided to visit. Once I was at Penn State, I didn't care at all. I was so locked in," the Fairchance, Pennsylvania, native said. "It was quite clear I didn't want to go anywhere else."
In 2014, Abraham graduated high school a semester early to pursue her collegiate career. In her first season in 2015, she made an immediate impact by playing in 21 games, netting four goals and an assist. Her ability to play forward and on the backline made her valuable, and she helped the Mountaineers reach the quarterfinals in the NCAA Tournament.
Though her tenacity on the field and her tough, physical play made her a central part of the team, it was her relentless work ethic that shined. During the Mountaineers' historic 2016 season, Abraham scored four goals, all of which were game-winners that helped pave the way for the Mountaineers' second-place finish in the NCAA College Cup.
Last season, Abraham finished with one goal and three assists in 23 games played. Of her three assists, two came at crucial moments in the game. One assist to Vanessa Flores resulted in the game-winning goal at No. 14 Princeton, and the other to Sh'Nia Gordon led to the first of two goals in the victory against Penn State, WVU's first win over a No. 1 team in Morgantown.
"It's what coach (Izzo-Brown) says all the time -- we have a blue-collar mentality. Some people come from huge clubs, and I'm very small town. I had to work my way up here," said Abraham.
Now in her senior season, Abraham's determination has taken on a new angle, as she finds herself in a leadership position as one nine seniors.
"I've talked to several people about this -- it's so different being a senior this year, more so than any other year," she said. "Even as a junior, you don't feel the same way. Everyone looks up to you. This year's success means a lot. It's your last year, so you want to make it your best. I've had really good seniors in my past, like (two-time team captain) Amanda Hill, who I looked up to a lot. I also like to take the freshmen under my wing and help them.
"I'm not vocal all the time, but I try to motivate people. I try to lead through playing hard and through non-stop play. I want to help set the tempo."
Abraham's non-stop play has helped lead the Mountaineers through 17 games this year. She's started 16 and recorded 19 shots on goal, second most on the team. Her 11 points (4 G, 3 A) rank her fourth on the team. In the last two road games, Abraham was responsible for three of six goals, including both game-winners in victories at Oklahoma State (2-1, Oct. 19) and at Oklahoma (4-1, Oct. 21). These goals gave Abraham her first brace, and she was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, another career first.
As for the future, Abraham, who's already earned her B.S. in Exercise Physiology and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Public Health, prefers to let this year run its course before making a commitment.
One thing that is certain is that when the Abraham leaves WVU, her legacy will be one of dedication, hard-nosed play and the kind of unyielding work ethic that defines the decorated program.
"It's about your mentality. In life, things aren't always going to go your way. You have to make the most of it," she said. "I want the kids around here to make the most of it…to know that if you work hard, you can be as good as you want to be."
The No. 13 Mountaineers close their regular season against Kansas on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m., at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Admission is free, courtesy of WVU Medicine.
While other prospective student-athletes spend years researching programs, locations and schools' legacies, the senior forward knew since middle school that becoming a Mountaineer was her ultimate goal. As a member of Mountaineer United, a youth club with ties to the women's program, Abraham was more than familiar with the Morgantown soccer scene and the legacy of the women's soccer team at West Virginia University.
"There's actually a photo of me when I was young with (associate head coach) Marisa (Kanela) in the background, it's crazy," she said.
Abraham spent several years playing for Mountaineer United under former WVU assistant coach, Nikki Goodenow. Through Goodenow, Abraham became acquainted with coach Izzo-Brown, who told her she was "going to be a Mountaineer." She committed to WVU as soon as possible after her freshman year at Albert Gallatin High.
"I visited Penn State because they were interested, too. They were close so I decided to visit. Once I was at Penn State, I didn't care at all. I was so locked in," the Fairchance, Pennsylvania, native said. "It was quite clear I didn't want to go anywhere else."
In 2014, Abraham graduated high school a semester early to pursue her collegiate career. In her first season in 2015, she made an immediate impact by playing in 21 games, netting four goals and an assist. Her ability to play forward and on the backline made her valuable, and she helped the Mountaineers reach the quarterfinals in the NCAA Tournament.
Though her tenacity on the field and her tough, physical play made her a central part of the team, it was her relentless work ethic that shined. During the Mountaineers' historic 2016 season, Abraham scored four goals, all of which were game-winners that helped pave the way for the Mountaineers' second-place finish in the NCAA College Cup.
Last season, Abraham finished with one goal and three assists in 23 games played. Of her three assists, two came at crucial moments in the game. One assist to Vanessa Flores resulted in the game-winning goal at No. 14 Princeton, and the other to Sh'Nia Gordon led to the first of two goals in the victory against Penn State, WVU's first win over a No. 1 team in Morgantown.
"It's what coach (Izzo-Brown) says all the time -- we have a blue-collar mentality. Some people come from huge clubs, and I'm very small town. I had to work my way up here," said Abraham.
Now in her senior season, Abraham's determination has taken on a new angle, as she finds herself in a leadership position as one nine seniors.
"I've talked to several people about this -- it's so different being a senior this year, more so than any other year," she said. "Even as a junior, you don't feel the same way. Everyone looks up to you. This year's success means a lot. It's your last year, so you want to make it your best. I've had really good seniors in my past, like (two-time team captain) Amanda Hill, who I looked up to a lot. I also like to take the freshmen under my wing and help them.
"I'm not vocal all the time, but I try to motivate people. I try to lead through playing hard and through non-stop play. I want to help set the tempo."
Abraham's non-stop play has helped lead the Mountaineers through 17 games this year. She's started 16 and recorded 19 shots on goal, second most on the team. Her 11 points (4 G, 3 A) rank her fourth on the team. In the last two road games, Abraham was responsible for three of six goals, including both game-winners in victories at Oklahoma State (2-1, Oct. 19) and at Oklahoma (4-1, Oct. 21). These goals gave Abraham her first brace, and she was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, another career first.
As for the future, Abraham, who's already earned her B.S. in Exercise Physiology and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Public Health, prefers to let this year run its course before making a commitment.
One thing that is certain is that when the Abraham leaves WVU, her legacy will be one of dedication, hard-nosed play and the kind of unyielding work ethic that defines the decorated program.
"It's about your mentality. In life, things aren't always going to go your way. You have to make the most of it," she said. "I want the kids around here to make the most of it…to know that if you work hard, you can be as good as you want to be."
The No. 13 Mountaineers close their regular season against Kansas on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m., at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Admission is free, courtesy of WVU Medicine.
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