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Natalie Neumann – Student at Westtown School
Year in School: Eleventh
Hometown: West Chester, PA
A woman at Westtown who has influenced you: My chemistry teacher, Rose Koenig. She introduced me to the sciences and sparked a deep interest I did not know I had.
“Being a 5-ft. 5-in. soccer goalkeeper and defending an 8-ft. tall net is not the perfect combination,” says Natalie Neumann, with a wry grin. Yet she was determined to prove it could be done.
“I’ve been told I’m too short for the position and couldn’t play in college,” she says. ”I knew I could prove that wrong.” Natalie earned a spot on a local travel team, then trained under Jill Loyden, a formember of the U.S. women’s national team. “She’s an outstanding goalkeeping coach,” says Natalie.
Coupling the tactical training from her coach with hours of practice with her dad, Natalie became the starting goalkeeper for her team.
“I developed the confidence and skills to lead my team,” she says. “And secured an offer to play in college.”
"We empower each other to combat pressure, bias, or negative views our society places on women."
Natalie’s experiences at Westtown also fuel her drive. “A group of girls meets regularly to ensure we have a strong female voice in our community,” she says. “We empower each other. It’s a great way to combat pressures, bias, or negative views our society places on women.”
Her advice to young, female student athletes is to be passionate about what they do. “Do not let anyone tell you that you are not good enough or talented enough,” she says. “You can provide value and truth in whatever position you hold, whether in the classroom or on the field.”
