TACOMA, Wash. — From Parkland to abroad in Scotland, Ally Tattar carries a winning tradition with her in all corners of the world. A member of the eight-time Northwest Conference champion Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team, Tattar has continued this winning tradition with her club soccer team as a study away student at the University of Aberdeen.

When she was looking to study abroad in her spring semester, Tattar wanted to factor her athletic interests into her study abroad experience.

"I decided to study abroad in Scotland, really because I had very strict criteria I had to follow to study abroad, and the program here met them all. Between my major, general area, athletic opportunities, and cost, the program here in Scotland seemed perfect to me!"

Tattar's club soccer team is run through her school and is part of a league called British Universities and College Sports. This league includes teams located around Edinburgh, Sterling, and St. Andrews. Tattar connected with the coach during a club fair and got started playing right away.

"I knew I wanted to play during my time here, so I went to a club fair and got connected with the coach and players. The season spanned the whole school year, so I was joining midway through their season. Still, the girls were all super welcoming and helped me settle in quickly."

In the championship game, Tattar recorded a goal and an assist to contribute to her team's 3-1 win over St. Andrews. 

"Winning the championship game was so amazing. The energy from the fans, my coach, and my teammates was so incredible, and I am so glad I got the chance to be part of something so big with this team."

Away from the field, it was important for Tattar to find a study away program that aligned with her academic goals as well as her other interests. Her schedule includes microbiology, cognitive neuroscience, and literature classes. She has also had opportunities to travel around Europe and experience Scottish culture.

"I have been able to experience so many things like going to a Scottish football game, a ceilidh (traditional Scottish dancing), visiting Scottish castles, and so much more. I was also able to travel around Europe a bit while I have been here. I visited Vienna, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Dubrovnik."

Winning championships is nothing new for the junior who has now won three titles as a member of the PLU women's soccer team. This past fall, Tattar played in 20 games and scored three goals, including game-winning goals against both George Fox University and Linfield University. 
    
Tattar encourages other PLU students to take advantage of the opportunity of studying away and to experience all that it has to offer.

"I would say absolutely do it! I am very thankful that PLU makes studying abroad so accessible, so I would say take advantage of that if you can. I have learned so many things about myself and the world that I would never have if I didn't study abroad."

Tattar and the Lutes finished the 2024 fall season with a 16-2-4 overall record and a 14-0-2 mark in Northwest Conference play. PLU edged Maryville College 1-0 in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament before stumbling 1-0 to host Emory University in the second round.