Lehigh seniors reflect on their careers
10/26/2012 5:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BETLHLEHEM, Pa. - The 2012 Lehigh women's soccer senior class is small in size, but big in their impact to the program. As sophomores, this group played a key role in the school's first-ever Patriot League Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. After struggling to begin this season, they continued to fight and with a win on Saturday, could advance to their second Patriot League Tournament. Their on-field play is strong, but just as importantly, they're leaders off it, serving as role models for the younger players to follow.
With Senior Day vs. Holy Cross just a day away, check out this tribute of the four Lehigh seniors, which includes a player rundown along with a question and answer session.
#4 Mary Grace Doyle - Midfield - Leesburg, Virginia - Biology
Doyle has certainly made her presence felt, on and off the field. She's played in nearly 50 games in her career which includes 17 starts. She's also been a team leader, helping guide a very young Mountain Hawk team over the past two seasons. President of the Student-Athlete Council, her impact has been felt far beyond the soccer team. Doyle has played a key role in the Lehigh Student-Athlete experience, across all sports and is truly admired by her teammates. Lehighsports.com: What is your favorite Lehigh Soccer memory up until this point?
MGD:My favorite Lehigh Soccer memory is winning the Patriot League Championship my sophomore year. It was an exciting experience, not only because we were the first team to do it in Lehigh history, but also because it showed that all our hard work paid off. We earned our laces that season.
MGD:My favorite Lehigh Soccer memory is winning the Patriot League Championship my sophomore year. It was an exciting experience, not only because we were the first team to do it in Lehigh history, but also because it showed that all our hard work paid off. We earned our laces that season.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MGD: The relationship I have with each senior is wonderful. These girls are my teammates, friends and family. I don't know what I would do without them.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MGD: Senior Day is bittersweet. I love this team, this program and this sport. It's my passion. It's sad to know it has to come to an end, but at the same time, it's such an accomplishment. I made so many fantastic memories that I will take forward with me. It has been such a great experience that I will never forget.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Soccer?
What will you miss most about Lehigh Soccer?
MGD: I'm going to miss the girls on this team and playing soccer every day. It's hard to imagine not putting on a brown or white jersey every weekend.
What are your postgraduate plans?
What are your postgraduate plans?
MGD: I will be applying to dental schools in the spring.
#13 Ardyn Olszko - Midfield - Brecksville, Ohio - Bioengineering
Olszko saw her first collegiate action as a sophomore and certainly did not disappoint. That year, she started all 18 games at defense, earning All-Patriot League honors while leading the Mountain Hawks to their first Patriot League Championship. She helped lead the defense to three straight shutouts when it mattered most: the regular season finale at Lafayette, Patriot League Semifinals vs. Bucknell and championship game against Army. Olszko played in nine games (eight starts) a season ago and has emerged as an important midfielder for the 2012 Mountain Hawks. She has played in seven games, helping lead a younger squad which has aspirations of a second league tournament appearance in the last three years.Lehighsports.com: What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point? Why?
AO: Up to this point, my favorite memory has been sophomore season. It was my first fall season after being injured as a freshman so it meant a lot to me that I was given the chance to prove I deserved to be here and could make an impact on the team. I was incredibly fortunate that season to help Lehigh win its first Patriot League Championship.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AO: As such a small senior class, it is nearly impossible to put into words the impact these girls have had on my life. I am grateful that I've had them by my side these past years, through the good times and the bad.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AO: Naturally, it is hard to believe that it's coming to an end so soon. A lot of seasons did not go as well as I would have liked due to injuries, but I hope these obstacles have made me a stronger person.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Soccer?
AO: I will miss the Lehigh soccer "family" and getting to step on the field competitively with a great group of girls.
AO: Up to this point, my favorite memory has been sophomore season. It was my first fall season after being injured as a freshman so it meant a lot to me that I was given the chance to prove I deserved to be here and could make an impact on the team. I was incredibly fortunate that season to help Lehigh win its first Patriot League Championship.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AO: As such a small senior class, it is nearly impossible to put into words the impact these girls have had on my life. I am grateful that I've had them by my side these past years, through the good times and the bad.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AO: Naturally, it is hard to believe that it's coming to an end so soon. A lot of seasons did not go as well as I would have liked due to injuries, but I hope these obstacles have made me a stronger person.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Soccer?
AO: I will miss the Lehigh soccer "family" and getting to step on the field competitively with a great group of girls.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AO: Enter a master's program.
#19 Jaime Townsend - Forward - Brunswick, Ohio - Biology
Townsend's influence on the Lehigh women's soccer program goes well beyond any on-field statistics. Jaime got into 12 games during the Mountain Hawks' Patriot League Championship season, which included her first-career goal scored against NJIT. Although not seeing any action the past two seasons due to injury, Townsend has continued to help the team in a variety of ways, serving as a positive influence to an extremely young squad which features seven freshmen and six sophomores. Strong in the classroom, Townsend is a Biology major while minoring in Health, Medicine and Society, Music Theory & Composition and Computer Science Engineering.Lehighsports.com: What is your favorite Lehigh Soccer memory up until this point?
JT: Winning the Patriot League Championship while it seemed like we were underdogs, playing goalie for a good 15 minutes, the uncountable events during the Refugee Camp of the Snowpocalypse (last season at Holy Cross) because, well, you had to be there, and, of course, Katie Gavalchin super intensely thanking a teammate for passing her the ball whilst she was literally in the middle of passing the ball.
JT: Winning the Patriot League Championship while it seemed like we were underdogs, playing goalie for a good 15 minutes, the uncountable events during the Refugee Camp of the Snowpocalypse (last season at Holy Cross) because, well, you had to be there, and, of course, Katie Gavalchin super intensely thanking a teammate for passing her the ball whilst she was literally in the middle of passing the ball.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JT: With all of us that are left, there is no option not to become so close when the class is so little. I know that despite how long we may go without talking, I could always call any of you if I ever need anything and vice versa. Also, you all owe me five dollars.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JT: I am 100 percent thankful and blessed to have had my college experience with some of the prettiest, smartest, most awesomest people I may ever meet.
JT: I am 100 percent thankful and blessed to have had my college experience with some of the prettiest, smartest, most awesomest people I may ever meet.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Soccer?
JT: The fact that my rate of perspiration was generally not commented on, the players, the environment, and of course, giving the coaches the most stressful job.
JT: The fact that my rate of perspiration was generally not commented on, the players, the environment, and of course, giving the coaches the most stressful job.
What are your postgraduate plans?
JT: Computer Science Engineering Grad School and eventually/hopefully a job.
#23 Isabelle Li - Forward - Holmdel, New Jersey - Accounting and Finance
Known as Izzy, Li has emerged as one of Lehigh's top offensive threats, especially over the past two years. Li owns four career goals and 12 career points, led by a career-high five this season behind a goal and team-best three assists. The goal couldn't have come at a more important time as she scored in overtime last Friday to give Lehigh a big 2-1 win over Bucknell, keeping the team's postseason hopes alive. Li scored a goal in two of the first three games last year while her first-career goal came as a freshman against Cornell. Versatile, Li has played both midfield and forward. Her presence off the field is just as impactful, serving as co-captain along with junior Murphee Greeley.Lehighsports.com: What is your favorite Lehigh Soccer memory up until this point?
IL: My favorite Lehigh Soccer memory would still be winning the Patriot League Championship in 2010. We all really came together that year and played every single game for each other. We wanted nothing less than the championship, and through hard work and dedication, we made it happen. What also made it extra special was that we were the first team in the program's history to win the Patriot League Championship.
IL: My favorite Lehigh Soccer memory would still be winning the Patriot League Championship in 2010. We all really came together that year and played every single game for each other. We wanted nothing less than the championship, and through hard work and dedication, we made it happen. What also made it extra special was that we were the first team in the program's history to win the Patriot League Championship.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
IL: I think the seniors have a really good relationship. Over the years, we've developed our relationships and experienced many things together, which have just made our bonds that much closer.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
IL: To think that this might be the last game of my college career is still a hard concept for me to grasp. I've played soccer for the last 15 years of my life, so having my competitive soccer career come to a close so soon is going to be tough.
IL: To think that this might be the last game of my college career is still a hard concept for me to grasp. I've played soccer for the last 15 years of my life, so having my competitive soccer career come to a close so soon is going to be tough.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Soccer?
IL: I'm going to miss being on the team. It is really something special when a group of twenty something girls come together to work towards a common goal. The competitive atmosphere and the bonds created on this team are impossible to recreate anywhere else in life. As much as I'm going to miss the team, I can leave this program feeling good because I honestly believe that this team can be great in the years to come.
What are your postgraduate plans?
IL: I'll be working at KPMG in New York City next year. Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Soccer
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