True freshman Natalie Freeman, a midfielder/forward on the Penn State field hockey team, has played in every game for Penn State this season. But she made her first career start in a Big Ten home clash with No. 7 Ohio State on October 6th. Making her first start, at home, against a top 10 opponent is testament to the progress the Ellicott City, Md., product has made in her first season at a Nittany Lion.
Freeman began playing field hockey when she was six years old and has loved it ever since. Growing up, her mother was super passionate about field hockey. Freeman expresses how she got to the high level that she is at now because of her mom. "She set me up so well for the rest of my life. She played such a big role in my career by pushing me out of my comfort zone."
Freeman has taken clear notice of how different the commitment and intensity levels are. She is also conscious of the fact that her teammates have been an incredible support system during her transition from high school play to Division I field hockey. "They have been really helpful, knowing that they have your back and that they understand is super comforting." A lot of her support comes from knowing that everyone on the team wants you to succeed.
At the start of the season, Freeman was 'super stressed' during the first scrimmage, but she has quickly adjusted and has found the nerves have dissipated throughout the season. Freeman scored her first collegiate goal in the first game of the season against the University of Virginia, "To score, that feeling was such a different feeling, I never felt that excited before."
In the game against Ohio State, Freeman had her starting debut, which she considers a big moment in her young collegiate career. She describes the experience of that game at home, of playing any game at home fondly, "There is something so special about playing for this team. It's so cool and surreal."
In her first year being a collegiate athlete, Freeman has already learned a lot about discipline and what it takes to compete at this high level, and she has learned, worked and grown towards meeting the expectations that she places on herself, "In college, you need to have strong discipline. It can be hard to come to practice and compete every day if you're not dedicated and disciplined. I've learned that you need to show up every day. Every single day matters."
Looking ahead, Freeman is excited for the future with her team, and she hopes to carry on the team culture and be a key player throughout her career, "Moving forward, we are the people that will carry on the team culture. We are the next generation of Penn State field hockey and carrying on that positive attitude is really important."
Freeman shares her aspirations, "I hold myself to a high standard and I want to make a name for myself in the NCAA. In general, It's so fun to practice and play with this team and that makes winning even better, I can't wait for more of that."
