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From small-town roots to the world stage: PSU's Phia Gladieux keeps rising

And while she's not slowing down, her journey has not been without its major challenges.

Sophia "Phia" Gladieux, USA Field Hockey, 2024 Summer Olympics | MAURO PIMENTEL/GettyImages

From Berks County to the world stage, Penn State field hockey star Phia Gladieux has never shied away from pressure-packed moments.

So when she stepped in during the fourth round of Team USA’s shootout against Uruguay in last month’s Pan American Cup semifinals, with a chance to send the women's national field hockey team to its first World Cup since 2018, she knew exactly how to handle it.