Graduate student midfielder Sarah Sinnott came to Ithaca College after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh to obtain her masters in mental performance, with a concentration in sports psychology. She became a standout player for the Bombers’ women’s soccer team, bringing her experience and the force of Division I play to the Division III field. 

At Pittsburgh, Sinnott played as a forward, and was on the field for a total of 15 games, scoring two goals. Her performance at Ithaca College has shined, where she has become a starter for the team and scored 12 goals since Fall 2023. 

When asked about her decision to come to Ithaca College, Sinnott explained that while there are plenty of schools with Division I soccer programs, not all of these universities have sports psychology programs. While she already knew her field of study, she said she was not sure where to go for her masters. Sinnott said the sports psychologist she worked with at the University of Pittsburgh inspired her to come to South Hill.

“[Sports Psychology programs] are really random and really spread out throughout the country,” Sinnott said. “So I found Ithaca, and then realized that I could also have the opportunity to play … which was really exciting.”  

Sinnott’s experience in Division I soccer has shown through in her Division III play. She said her time with the University of Pittsburgh has played a large role in her overall experience with soccer. Sinnott said Division I play is a bigger time commitment, with players being much more focused on their sport. 

“The idea of playing D-III was really enticing, just to have more of that balance of life and academics with soccer, rather than, like your sport being at the top and then everything else kind of falling under it,” Sinnott said.

Of course, there are more differences between divisions than just time commitment. Sinnott said the contrast in speed of play while on the field is much faster in Division I, meaning that much quicker decisions must be made.

A team is not made up of one person and Sinnott attributed part of her success to the achievements of her team. The Bombers have had a triumphant season thus far, pushing all players towards new heights.

“It’s a combination of both just me being willing to take more chances and also our whole team’s offensive buildup,” Sinnott said. “I think we’ve been able to create a lot of opportunities across the board … a lot of them have fallen to me, but there’s also a lot of other players who have gotten a ton of chances too.”

Head coach Mindy Quigg, spoke on Sinnott’s strong performance on the field and dedicated work ethic. 

“She has really come into her own this year, [and] is leading by example and playing with confidence,” Quigg said. “She’s focused on the moment and trusting the process in training, which she is able to execute in the matches.”

All of this has impacted Sinnott’s excellent performance so far. Graduate student forward/midfielder Ally Stanton shared her perspective as Sinnott’s teammate.

“Sarah’s been having a great season,” Stanton said. “She’s a super talented player that leads by example on and off the field … As a teammate, it’s been really fun to play with her, and … also just fun to watch and be out there with her.”

Stanton said Sinnott is more than just a great player, she is also a great teammate.

“[Playing with her has] been a really positive experience,” Stanton said. “Last year was [Sinnott’s] her first season, and we became good friends off the field, so it’s great to play with her. She’s a midfielder, and she’s always someone that you can give the ball to in any instance, and know she’s gonna do great things with the ball.”

Quigg echoed Stanton’s sentiment from her perspective as Sinnott’s coach.

“It has been a pleasure coaching Sarah and watching her get more and more comfortable and confident in her time at Ithaca,” Quigg said. “She is a great role model for our younger players. Someone to emulate for sure. She is passionate about soccer, our team and is always striving to make herself and her teammates stronger and more successful.“