Women’s Soccer: Peyton McNamara reflects on her World Cup experience and college career

Natalie Hunt
Fri, 06 Dec 2024 05:25:40 +0000
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Ohio State senior midfielder Peyton McNamara (9) waits over the ball during the Buckeyes 4-1 win over Penn State Oct. 27 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Matthew Wu | Lantern Photographer

Buckeye Peyton McNamara has carved an athletic path that spans continents.?

McNamara, a senior midfielder, has already achieved what many soccer players only dream of. After making her debut with Jamaica’s senior national team in 2021, she went on to represent the country at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.?

McNamara said she was eligible to either represent Jamaica — her mother’s birthplace — or the United States on the national scale.?

“I just gave it a shot. It’s an opportunity; you don’t want to leave opportunities on the table,” McNamara said. “And as soon as I was on the team, I realized I love the culture, love the girls, and I just knew it was the place I wanted to be.”

Notably, McNamara said she began her international soccer career at just 17 years old when she joined the Jamaican U20 team. Jamaica’s coaching staff was able to keep an eye on McNamara’s collegiate journey, leading to the opportunity, she said.

“They kept tabs on me during my freshman year of college,” McNamara said. “They reached out, and that was my first year joining the senior team.”?

After completing her World Cup stint, McNamara said she returned to Ohio State with more knowledge of the game and a newfound desire to grow.?

“I think it’s just knowing that I’m good enough; I can compete at the highest level, and I always held myself to that standard,” McNamara said. “So, carrying that standard with me through all levels of play has been something that’s kept me motivated.”

McNamara’s college resume runs deep. She has accrued 15 career goals as a Buckeye, earned Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2021, was named a third team All-Big Ten honoree in 2024 and was the Big Ten Women’s Soccer Player to Watch heading into 2024.

Defender Sydney Jones said McNamara’s passion for the game is evident to her teammates.?

“She cares about the game. She watches it a lot, and she practices things I think a lot of people don’t practice, and she’s disciplined in that matter,” Jones said. “ It’s also just very natural to her, and she’s always trying to raise the level and keep the level high in practice.”?

Just after the 2024 season began, however, McNamara said her journey was clouded by a stress fracture in her right foot.?

“After the first day of being upset, I kind of pulled myself out of it, and it was like, ‘This is a great opportunity,’” McNamara said. “You look at the people you have around you, you can help them learn and help them grow, and then when it’s your time to get back on the field, you can add something to this team.”?

McNamara was sidelined for eight games, during which she had to change her mindset and focus on helping her team in different ways, she said.?

“I think the most important thing is when things get hard, what do you do? How do you help them?” McNamara said. “It’s just sharing little stories, or making sure everyone’s having a good day and pulling them out of a hard place if they’re there.”?

Head coach Lori Walker-Hock said McNamara is like a mentor on the field, and her time on the bench has helped her become a better leader.?

“It’s teaching her how to take those gifts of being at the World Cup, being on the national team for Jamaica, and helping us to raise our level and meet the demands that she needs to be preparing for as she goes to the next level,” Walker-Hock said.?

Walker-Hock also highlighted McNamara’s intelligence and adaptability, and said her time spent with Jamaica’s program has elevated her game.?

“She’s played against legends like Marta and Alex Morgan, and that experience has raised her standards,” Walker-Hock said. “But what’s remarkable is her ability to bring that knowledge back to us, helping raise the level of the entire team.”

With her senior season now over, McNamara will finish out her academic career at Ohio State, where she’ll graduate in the spring with dual degrees in international business and Chinese while planning on continuing to play with Jamaica.