When she was four-years-old, Leah Allman began playing soccer after her parents signed her up for a recreational league. Just like everyone else at that age, she tried to figure out what position worked best for her. Despite the numerous positions on the field, she decided that her heart belonged between the pipes.
Allman, a three-sport high school athlete, chose Slippery Rock University over the other schools, in part because of her experience at previous camps, her history with coaches and the team-oriented culture.
“I came on a tour and really loved the campus, and I met some of the girls on the team, and they were all really nice. The team had a family culture I really liked,” she said.
From the moment she first stepped foot on the field her freshman year, Allman has made an impact. The team improved from a 7-4-8 record in the 2022 season to 12-4-3 that following year, with Allman playing nearly every minute.
Even at this new level, Allman has a strong sense of responsibility and leadership within the team.
“I depend on my teammates a lot. I mean, we all work together, and we know we win as a team and lose as a team, and I think that takes the pressure off. And they are always there for me no matter what,” she said.
Allman noted that it is more than just being teammates; it is something deeper than that.
“We are all super close. With the backline specifically, having conversations off the field about what we can all do better, and then just us being super close off the field translates to on the field,” she said.
Allman made it clear that, no matter what, it always boils down to a team effort and turning the team into a family. Leadership and team chemistry are more important to her than personal statistics and goals.
Allman is ranked fourth in SRU history in goalie wins and shutouts, while also being fifth in goalie wins. Despite these phenomenal feats in only three years, she gave all the praise to her teammates.
“It’s definitely cool to be ranked in those, but I definitely couldn’t have done it without my teammates and my backline specifically. I appreciate everything they do for me,” she said
One of the more experienced veterans on a youthful team, Allman has leaned into her role as a leader. Knowing the pressure that comes with being a freshman starting on a successful team, she strives to ensure confidence in her teammates.
“I think having two freshman center backs right now, it’s trying to help them get into it and keep their confidence levels up, because they have been playing really well. Even with the rest of the team to communicate on the field is something I’ve taken on a lot being a goalie,” Allman said.
She is not just an athlete, but also a student. Majoring in business management, Allman still takes the time and necessary steps to excel academically, while also improving her skills on the field. While this may come as a tricky balance for most, Allman has found the right steps and procedures to make it work for her.
“I think there is plenty of time for both; making sure to stay on top of academics while we aren’t at practice or during free time is really important,” she said, while also crediting her athletic leaps to offseason work. “Working hard, especially during the summer to prepare for the fall, and I think just the experience I’ve gained playing has helped me a lot…Being able to play as a freshman and get so many minutes over the years has been crucial to me playing better over the years.”
No matter what, everything comes back to family for Allman. In the last offseason, the team took a trip down to Costa Rica. There, they played some matches and spent a good deal of time together, and it was the most memorable moment in her career. Zip-lining, trips to the beach and volunteering at an underprivileged school shows that soccer is more than just a sport to Allman.
Allman’s goals before she graduates are to win a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship and make it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) playoffs.
Everyone has a role model, and for Allman, it is the people she’s been able to work with over the years.
“My biggest role model would be my goalie coaches from home who I grew up training with,” Allman said. “Just looking up to them as role models and leaders.”
Going into her fourth and final season at The Rock, Allman offers some advice for the upcoming freshman.
“Buy into the culture of our team, because we are such a family. Embrace your role, no matter what it looks like. Keep working, no matter if you are getting minutes or not, always keep working,” Allman said.
