Dunmore’s Emily Sashko one of top 25 Division 3 goalkeepers in country

By Steve Svetovich

Emily Sashko, Chestnut Street, Dunmore, was recently named one of the top 25 soccer goalkeepers in the nation for NCAA Division 3.

Daughter of Sheila Eboli, Dunmore, Emily, 22, graduated from New England College this past May. She earned bachelor of science degrees in sports and recreation management and communication studies. She finished with an impressive 3.88 grade point average.

Emily was a member of the New England College soccer team for four years, although there was no season in her junior year due to COVID.

Emily set a school record for goalkeeper saves with 199 in her senior year.

She recorded 47 saves as a sophomore and 27 saves in a part time role as a freshman.

She talked about what it takes to excel as a soccer goalkeeper.

“You need to have a lot of patience,” she said. “You never know when you are going to see action. It takes a lot of hard work to do it.”

Emily attended school in the Dunmore School District through the seventh grade. After moving with her mom, she graduated from Lakeland High School in 2018. However, she moved back to Dunmore two years ago.

The Dunmore native is currently studying for a master’s degree in sports industry management at Georgetown University.

She is currently a marketing assistant for the Georgetown athletic department.

Emily, always enthusiastic, has a love for hockey. Her goal is to eventually secure employment in the professional hockey industry. “I want to work in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a marketing assistant.”

The talented scholar-athlete said she used to keep score for the New England College hockey team. “Hockey is really big in the New England area,” she said. “I loved doing it.”

Emily credits her mom for much of her success in life. “I am very independent,” she said. “My mom taught me that. She teaches me to just do it. If there is something I want to do, I do it. She gave me confidence. She pushed me out of my bubble.”

An All-Region selection as a soccer goalkeeper at Lakeland, Emily was chosen Rookie of the Week in her freshman year and Player of the Week in her senior year at New England College.

Well-spoken and articulate, Emily said she has mixed emotions about setting the saves record at New England College. 

“Well, it came in my final game,” she said. “We lost the championship game to Lesley University, And that was my final game, so setting the record in that game was kind of tough. It was actually a bad feeling because we lost the game and my soccer career was suddenly over.

“It was bittersweet. Only days later did it set in with me that I set the saves record.”

Emily, confident but humble, said playing high school and college soccer was well worth it. “Playing soccer was a whole different experience,” she said. “I learned so much more at the college level. I certainly enjoyed it.”