Villa Maria Academy’s Kaelyn Wolfe is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The junior midfielder has been an offensive machine for the Hurricanes’ soccer squad (13-2 as of Oct. 18, ranked No. 1 in PIAA 4A), with 17 goals and 15 assists in 15 games. Last fall, as a sophomore midfielder, she scored 11 goals in 10 games and was an AACA All-Star and a first team All-Main Line girls’ soccer selection. Villa Maria soccer head coach Gary Christopher said, “Over my 17 years of coaching, at Villa Maria, Kaelyn is the best and most complete soccer player I have ever coached by far – and we have had some excellent players.” The Penn State commit also is a fine lacrosse player, receiving second team All-Main Line honors last spring as a sophomore midfielder.
Q: What aspect of your game did you work on most during the past summer?
A: Over this past summer I mainly worked on my fitness and passing. I played a lot of soccer this past summer with showcases, college camps, tournaments, and preparing for preseason. But when I wasn’t doing that my main practice was getting in front of a wall and doing wall ball for footwork and passing.
Q: What do you think has been the biggest keys to your scoring success?
A: The main part is having such good relationships with my teammates on the field and off the field. We always know where each other are going to be and when to make the right passes. We connect really well with each other. I have also been working on moving off the ball more, and on my placement for shooting.
Q: How do you see your leadership role as a junior captain – on and off the field?
A: My on the field leadership for Villa Maria is by leading by example. I always try to give my 100 percent in every game to be a good example for the younger players, and everyone. On the field I always try to communicate with everyone constantly during each game. On and off the field I am always trying to build closer relationships with everyone on the team because we will play better and be more connected.
Q: Who have been your biggest soccer mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each one?
A: My Dad is one of my biggest soccer mentors. He played soccer at Temple, and we always watch soccer together. We watch the premier league and women’s college soccer. He always helps me learn more about the game from his experiences and from watching the game with him. My club coaches are very big soccer mentors for me. I have had many different coaches and everyone has positively impacted me as a player and a person. My current coach is Craig Scangarella, and he has helped me so much and is continuing to help me become a better soccer player. The Women’s National team is a big soccer mentor for me. I have been watching them since I was a little girl, and have always looked up to them. Watching them win World Cups is what started my soccer passion. I have learned about dedication and hard work from them.
Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: The strongest aspect of my game is my vision of the field and my distribution. I do my best when I put my teammates in the best position possible. I am always looking to improve my fitness and strength, my first touch, and passing accuracy. Those are my main focuses in the off season.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: My pre-game preparation is hydrating throughout the day. I eat a healthy breakfast and lunch. I usually have a snack right before the game and a Gatorade. I do imagery to get ready for each game. I also have a certain stretching routine that I like to do before each game. I always like to have gum or a mint while I am warming up.
Q: Tell us a little about your club soccer career with Penn Fusion Academy. What has been your most memorable experience with Penn Fusion?
A: My main position for club soccer is outside back, but I also play midfield and forward occasionally. I have played for Penn Fusion for 11 years. My most memorable experiences with Penn Fusion are traveling with my team around the country. It is such a great experience getting to meet and play against the best players in the country, and it is great competition.
Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Villa Maria other than soccer and lacrosse?
A: I am also in the Mission and Ministry club at Villa, and I am a leader for SpeakUp.
Q: What is your favorite academic subject at Villa Maria? What do you think you would like to major in at Penn State?
A: My two favorite classes at Villa are Physics and Sports Medicine. I have always loved science growing up. I think I would like to major in Kinesiology in college, or do some sort of business major.
Fun facts – Kaelyn Wolfe
Favorite book: The Hunger Games.
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite movie: Surf’s Up, The Maze runner.
Favorite athletes: Carli Lloyd, Michael Jordan.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Let It Shine.
Favorite team: “Liverpool, Go Birds!”
Favorite place to visit: Sea Isle City, N.J.
Favorite pre-game meal: peanut butter crackers, Gatorade.
Person I most admire, and why: “My parents – I am so grateful for all of the time they sacrifice to help me with soccer, all the car rides to practices and games.”
Family: Parents Bill and Cari; older brothers Billy and Colin.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
