Women's Soccer Welcomes Madison Pogarch
Jul 23 | Women's Soccer
Pogarch transfers to Rutgers for senior season
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Along with welcoming fresh talent in 10 freshmen to the 2018 roster, Rutgers women's soccer adds experience and force with the addition of Madison Pogarch, a two-time All-MAC selection from Central Michigan.
"We are excited Madison is part of our family with all she brings to the team as a person and a player," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "Her knowledge and passion for the game is contagious. We are looking forward to seeing her grow and I know she will make a major impact on the team."
Pogarch brings numerous accolades with her "To the Banks," most recently collecting First Team All-MAC accolades in 2017. The honor was preceded by Second Team All-MAC recognition in 2016 and MAC All-Freshmen selection in 2015. She started 52 of 58 games for the Chippewas, registering three goals and 10 assists. Off the field, Pogarch was a two-time Academic All-MAC recipient.
Nicknamed "Po" by most, an abbreviation of her last name, Pogarch chose to close out her career as a Scarlet Knight, making the move to Piscataway for Spring 2018.
"I chose Rutgers because of the family atmosphere, the great academics, and the competitiveness of the Big Ten Conference," said Pogarch. "I can achieve academic excellence as well as chase my dream to be a professional soccer player at this university and I am proud to call myself a Scarlet Knight."
Prior to collegiate soccer, Pogarch was a four-time varsity letterwinner for Hartland High School, leading the team to two KLAA championships in 2013 and 2014. She was a two-time Offensive Player of the Year, along with MHSAA All-Region and All-District recognition, as well as four-time All-KLAA selection.
In addition to soccer, Pogarch was a two-year letterwinner in basketball and one year in football, serving as the first female place kicker for the football team in 2015. What started out as a family jest, turned to reality her senior season.
"For my first three years of high school, I just stuck to soccer and played basketball in the offseason, but when the summer before my senior year came around I started to consider the idea of being the kicker. It was my last opportunity, and just decided to go for it. It was an incredible experience."
Pogarch had various extra point and kickoff opportunities for the team, with her favorite memory being her first extra point she made on the home field.
"We were versing another team in our county," Pogarch reminisced. "I had missed the extra point in our opening game, I kicked it wide. So, this time, I was determined and my heart was racing, I paced off my steps, took a deep breath and gave the signal. Everything worked out just right and I knocked it through the uprights. The guys picked me up and threw me on their shoulders and everyone was so excited. It was such an awesome experience and I am so grateful for those guys."
The lessons learned from earning her role on the football team and keeping up with intense conditioning sculpted Pogarch into who she is today. The most valuable thing she took away was to work to prove yourself and always do your part.
The Hartland, Michigan, native is now set to earn her part in the historically sound Rutgers back line. A back line that led the NCAA in goals against average (.267) and save percentage (.924), and second in shutout percentage (.762) in 2017, allowing a program-low and Big Ten-low six goals on the season to go with 16 shutouts.
"I am honored to be able to be a part of such an outstanding back line. For me to come in as a transfer and be able to play a role is humbling, but so exciting," said Pogarch. "I hope that I can extend the lead and legend of the back line, and to be a consistent player and teammate. I want to be someone that my teammates and coaches can count on the give their best effort and work for the entirety of the season."
Jumping into to the speed and intensity of practice with the Scarlet Knights, along with moving from a smaller town in Michigan to the city of New Brunswick was certainly an adjustment for Pogarch. However, she found the transition much easier with help of her Rutgers family.
"I could not be more complimentary of how I was treated upon arriving here," said Pogarch. "The coaching staff was so welcoming, but not only that, the team made me feel so comfortable so quickly. I feel so at home here after only a few short months and I give credit to the staff and team for helping me feel that way."
Now a part of the Rutgers family, Pogarch looks forward to her opportunity to wear the block R out on the battle field.
"I'm excited to be a part of the athletic program and family, to play on Yurcak Field and to be a part of the atmosphere here. I want to do my best to help build this program and bring a championship back 'To the Banks'."
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Twitter and Instagram (@RUAthletics) and on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's soccer, follow the program on Twitter and Instagram (@RUWSoccer), and on Facebook (Rutgers Women's Soccer). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
"We are excited Madison is part of our family with all she brings to the team as a person and a player," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "Her knowledge and passion for the game is contagious. We are looking forward to seeing her grow and I know she will make a major impact on the team."
Pogarch brings numerous accolades with her "To the Banks," most recently collecting First Team All-MAC accolades in 2017. The honor was preceded by Second Team All-MAC recognition in 2016 and MAC All-Freshmen selection in 2015. She started 52 of 58 games for the Chippewas, registering three goals and 10 assists. Off the field, Pogarch was a two-time Academic All-MAC recipient.
Nicknamed "Po" by most, an abbreviation of her last name, Pogarch chose to close out her career as a Scarlet Knight, making the move to Piscataway for Spring 2018.
"I chose Rutgers because of the family atmosphere, the great academics, and the competitiveness of the Big Ten Conference," said Pogarch. "I can achieve academic excellence as well as chase my dream to be a professional soccer player at this university and I am proud to call myself a Scarlet Knight."
Prior to collegiate soccer, Pogarch was a four-time varsity letterwinner for Hartland High School, leading the team to two KLAA championships in 2013 and 2014. She was a two-time Offensive Player of the Year, along with MHSAA All-Region and All-District recognition, as well as four-time All-KLAA selection.
In addition to soccer, Pogarch was a two-year letterwinner in basketball and one year in football, serving as the first female place kicker for the football team in 2015. What started out as a family jest, turned to reality her senior season.
"For my first three years of high school, I just stuck to soccer and played basketball in the offseason, but when the summer before my senior year came around I started to consider the idea of being the kicker. It was my last opportunity, and just decided to go for it. It was an incredible experience."
Pogarch had various extra point and kickoff opportunities for the team, with her favorite memory being her first extra point she made on the home field.
"We were versing another team in our county," Pogarch reminisced. "I had missed the extra point in our opening game, I kicked it wide. So, this time, I was determined and my heart was racing, I paced off my steps, took a deep breath and gave the signal. Everything worked out just right and I knocked it through the uprights. The guys picked me up and threw me on their shoulders and everyone was so excited. It was such an awesome experience and I am so grateful for those guys."
The lessons learned from earning her role on the football team and keeping up with intense conditioning sculpted Pogarch into who she is today. The most valuable thing she took away was to work to prove yourself and always do your part.
The Hartland, Michigan, native is now set to earn her part in the historically sound Rutgers back line. A back line that led the NCAA in goals against average (.267) and save percentage (.924), and second in shutout percentage (.762) in 2017, allowing a program-low and Big Ten-low six goals on the season to go with 16 shutouts.
"I am honored to be able to be a part of such an outstanding back line. For me to come in as a transfer and be able to play a role is humbling, but so exciting," said Pogarch. "I hope that I can extend the lead and legend of the back line, and to be a consistent player and teammate. I want to be someone that my teammates and coaches can count on the give their best effort and work for the entirety of the season."
Jumping into to the speed and intensity of practice with the Scarlet Knights, along with moving from a smaller town in Michigan to the city of New Brunswick was certainly an adjustment for Pogarch. However, she found the transition much easier with help of her Rutgers family.
"I could not be more complimentary of how I was treated upon arriving here," said Pogarch. "The coaching staff was so welcoming, but not only that, the team made me feel so comfortable so quickly. I feel so at home here after only a few short months and I give credit to the staff and team for helping me feel that way."
Now a part of the Rutgers family, Pogarch looks forward to her opportunity to wear the block R out on the battle field.
"I'm excited to be a part of the athletic program and family, to play on Yurcak Field and to be a part of the atmosphere here. I want to do my best to help build this program and bring a championship back 'To the Banks'."
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Twitter and Instagram (@RUAthletics) and on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's soccer, follow the program on Twitter and Instagram (@RUWSoccer), and on Facebook (Rutgers Women's Soccer). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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