Western’s women’s soccer team will receive some veteran help next season with the addition of Oregon State University transfer Mariah Roggow. The 5-foot-3-inch Roggow, from Kelso, Washington, will be eligible to play as a sophomore at the beginning of the fall season. Head Coach Travis Connell said Roggow is expected to have an immediate impact. “Any time you bring in a transfer they already have college experience, which is an advantage,” Connell said. “She’s just a little farther along in that transition [to college level] than some of our new incoming college players.” Connell said while he doesn’t know what position Roggow will play next season, she will be in an attacking role as a forward or midfielder.
“She’s played a lot of different positions in her career,” Connell said. “She’s very well-rounded and on top that she has a great work ethic and determination I think is going to be very valuable to us.”Roggow said she received significant playing time her freshman season at Oregon State and was one goal short of ending the season as the team’s leading scorer. Despite this, she was not offered a scholarship for her sophomore year, a development she said was pivotal in her decision to leave Oregon State in search of another school. Roggow said she considered several schools including Washington State University, Eastern Washington University and Gonzaga University. Roggow said the decision to come to Western came naturally after touring the campus, observing the student body and beginning to build a relationship with coach Connell. “I really like [Connell], he’s very easy to talk to,” Roggow said. “I heard so many great things about him and I just wanted to go somewhere I felt comfortable. Honestly, I went to Western, called my mom after and said I know this is the school I want to go to,” Roggow said. “It’s just kind of a perfect fit.”
Connell said the versatility in Roggow’s skill set is something that makes her stand out from other players he has seen. “It just gives us an advantage when we gameplan against other opponents,” Connell said.Roggow has high hopes for herself and the team next season, and is optimistic she can be a contributing member to another successful Western women’s soccer team. Western finished with a second overall national ranking last season, something that Roggow hopes can be improved on. “I hope maybe to break some records,” Roggow said. “I’m training a lot, sometimes three times a day. I’m just ready to come out and kill it.”
