UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Marissa Sheva became the 14th Penn State women’s soccer alumna actively playing in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) when she signed with the Washington Spirit on June 3 as a short-term COVID-19 replacement player.
Sheva is no stranger to the professional level, having previously rostered with the NWSL’s Utah Royals FC in 2020 after a brief tenure with Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas in Primera División, the top-tier women’s league in Spain.
A two-sport athlete in soccer and track & field while at Penn State from 2015-18, Sheva made her debut with the Spirit on June 4 against Gotham FC when she appeared in the 74th minute.
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Sheva said she had started training with the Spirit six weeks before her debut with the intention of getting back into a competitive environment after undergoing hip surgery last year.
“My debut came as a bit of a surprise because I wasn’t expecting to get onto the roster for a few more weeks, but the timing couldn’t have been more perfect because I was able to debut in New Jersey in front of family and friends that supported me through surgery rehab.
“Stepping back on the pitch was so exciting and surreal because I’ve been working for it since I got injured.”
Her debut was a Penn State reunion of sorts as she faced off against former PSU teammate Ellie Jean’s team, Gotham FC. Sheva and Jean were members of the 2015 signing class and shared the pitch as Nittany Lions through 2018. Gotham FC also has 2006 PSU alum, Ali Krieger, on its roster.
“It’s always really cool to reconnect with all of the Penn Staters in the NWSL,” Sheva said. “It was especially great seeing Ellie again, as we’ve played with and against each other since we were 13 years old. It’s definitely a bit weird not wearing the same colors anymore, but her pro career has been so fun to follow, and I’m really excited to see what else she accomplishes.”
In four seasons at Penn State, Sheva saw…
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