Through seven games (and counting) this season, the Slippery Rock Women’s soccer team has been introduced to the new version of sophomore forward Rachel Edge. This season, Edge has proven to be one of the elite scorers on the team, but also has picked up right where she left off last year as one of the premier passers on the team.
Edge went to Pine Grove Area High School where she lettered in three sports (soccer,
basketball and track and field). Not only did Edge letter in soccer, though, but she she was claimed to be one of the best soccer players in her high school’s history between both boys and girls. Edge was a four time all-state selection and scored a total of 137 goals, including 41 in her senior year.
“My mom had her online degree here and I honestly didn’t look at the school until much
later in my high school career. I contacted Coach Griggs and sent her my videos. Then she came and watched me play so then I came here,” Edge said.
In her freshman season, Edge appeared in 18 games and started six of them. Edge scored
her first collegiate goal against IUP last season and her next game she recorded her first assist and had three assists in that game.
“It was monumental getting that experience last year, I feel like a completely different player since my freshman year or even my progression through my freshman year, that experience means more to me than anything,” Edge said.
Edge made the first start of her college career against Lock Haven last season and started
five of the last six games last season.
“I love that she came in with an intention to learn and grow, and she did that last year. And this year she’s here to win and compete, she’s got a drive about her and I love when forwards want to make defenders look like fools and thats exactly what she does,” SRU coach Jessica Griggs said. “I think that’s an incredible thing because it’s a confidence aspect, you want your goal scorers to feel good all the time.”
Edge showed her ability to pass the ball well as she recorded six assists last season,
which was tied for first on the team. Edge finished the season with eight points, being tied for fourth on the team.
“It’s all about not being selfish; if there’s an open shot for me I’m going to take it, but if someone has a better chance of scoring then obviously I’m going to give it to them,” Edge said. “It’s not just me, it’s a whole team effort.”
This season, Edge has started every game for The Rock and has been a huge part of the
offense. She has already taken 25 shots compared to her 36 of last season and has put 15 shots on goal, which is six more than last season. Edge leads the team in goals with five and assists with five.
Edge went on a streak of five straight games with a goal after The Rock suffered its
only loss of the season so far to Walsh University. The last three games of that streak, Edge also had at least one assist.
“Honestly I think it’s just being in the right place at the right time, doing what you need to be doing and I give everything to my teammates. I don’t give myself credit, it’s all to them,” Edge said.
As of Sept. 26, Edge was third in goals in all of the PSAC, second in shots on
goal and first in assists. Through the first seven games, Edge has averaged 2.14 points per game, which is the third-best in the PSAC. Edge also netted her first game-winner against Mercyhurst this season. In that game, she assisted Tyler Spence in the 86th minute to tie the game and then 13 minutes later scored the winning goal in overtime.
“I love this team and I love that this team is selfish and unselfish. What I mean by
that is when you’re in front of the net, you’re ready to score a goal, but you’re still prepared to be a part of the build-up, you’re still prepared to be available in and around the box with assists and that stuff. Rachel takes that and I think she understands she’s capable of being a truly incredible impact in our conference and region but, I think she also understands what it takes to be a team player and help the team win,” Griggs said.
Edge had back-to-back performances with a goal and two assists which, so far, is her
season-high in points in a game. In those games, she also got four shots on goal, which is also a season-high. Her four-point performances in those games are not only her season-high but her career-high.
“She’s got, and it sounds really corny, an edge about her; she’s got a swagger that you just don’t find in a lot of players at this level. It’s a confidence, but it’s not overconfidence like she knows she’s better than every defender she goes up against,” Griggs said.
