Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Penn-Trafford’s Rease Solomon

By: Anthony DiFilippo
Monday, October 28, 2024 | 10:05 AM

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From dealing with injuries all year to earning a playoff spot, Penn-Trafford’s girls soccer team experienced it all.

It led to a 13-4 overall record and a bye in the WPIAL Class 4A tournament.

Senior goalkeeper Rease Solomon, who has started since her sophomore year, highlighted the resilience of the group during the regular season.

“It’s been a hard season for us,” Solomon said. “I just think we’ve done great as a team, and we just kept pushing. We put in so much hard work and dedication to get where we ended up.”

The Warriors’ 9-1 record in Section 1-4A secured the top spot in the standings.

Solomon expanded on how the team overcame some of the setbacks P-T had to endure as the season unfolded.

“Just everyone encouraging each other. We have a great team dynamic,” Solomon said about dealing with injuries. “We always lift each other up.

“Our coaches definitely create a positive environment for all of us.”

That dynamic has led to P-T allowing just 18 goals in their 17 games.

Even with the record they had, Solomon kept the mindset simple and to the point.

“Focus. We can get very off track sometimes,” Solomon said. “I think if we just dial it in and get done what we need to get done, we can push past the first round.”

Solomon is committed to Robert Morris for soccer and plans to study biology on a pre-med track with a focus on dermatology down the line.

This week, Solomon took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

How did you get started with soccer?

Honestly, my parents. I’ve been playing since I was very young. My parents threw me in at our local soccer club. I played with my sister, and I’ve been playing ever since.

What are your goals for the team the rest of the season?

This is our year. Since preseason began in the summer, I have made it very clear to the girls that we are not the same P-T who lost the first round of playoffs. In my three years on the team, we have not won a playoff match. We have what it takes to make it all the way this year. We just need to trust in ourselves and continue to grow as a team.

What about this group allows it to be so good defensively?

They are great. I’m able to trust them. Our communication is great through my back line. I have two co-captains on my back line, which is very helpful too. Honestly leading the team, having that back line, it’s great. We work very well together. I’ve played with most of my back line most of my life. I think that helps too.

What does your leadership role look like?

Just encouragement, making sure they have confidence. Confidence is key on the field. If you make one bad pass, have one bad game, it discourages them a lot. As a sophomore, even starting as a goalkeeper, being the underclassman but having to step up, it’s hard. Encouragement goes a long way.

What was the recruiting process like for you?

It was definitely a long process. As a goalkeeper, it’s a little different. Coach Michelle (Rick), she came to a lot of my games. Being so close to our Riverhounds facility, she was always there. I also recently found out that the goalkeeper coach, Reaghan Duval, is going to be a goalkeeper coach at the Riverhounds. Being able to train with her before I even get to college is going to be a huge benefit to me. If anyone had that opportunity, they would also take it.

What is one thing that people may not know about you?

Myself and a couple friends helped get this club back running. It’s called Active Minds. It’s more like a college thing. There’s a few high school chapters. We helped start it back up. It helps student athletes and other students with mental health and encouraging them that it’s OK not to be OK and to ask for help. I think recently that’s become a big part of me.