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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Every member of the Lehigh women’s soccer senior class has greatly contributed to the Mountain Hawks’ success, on and off the field. They have scored goals, won tackles and prevented goals, but most importantly, they’ve collectively raised the standard of excellence within the program. This group knows winning, having made the Patriot League Tournament 2 of their first three years and reaching the championship game in their sophomore season and once again this year, the Mountain Hawks find themselves squarely in the mix competing for a postseason spot. Off the field, this group has tallied a cumulative grade point average of 3.52, and completed some prestigious internships and research projects over the summers to set them up for success after graduation. There’s no doubt, all seven are destined for great things.
Ahead of the regular season finale Friday evening vs. Loyola, Lehighsports.com caught up with the seniors to reflect on their careers in the Brown and White.
#7 Libby Andrews – Phoenixville, Pa. – Spring-Ford
What’s your favorite Lehigh women’s soccer memory up until this point?
LA: My favorite Lehigh women’s soccer memory was our amazing win against Bucknell in the quarterfinal game of 2019. Working down to the last few seconds of the clock, we were able to score in double overtime and clinch a spot in the semifinal game. I will never forget the moment under the lights when the ball crashed to the back of the net. We all instantly sprinted towards each other in celebration. The excitement within our team that night was overwhelming, and I feel so fortunate to have been able to share those feelings of joy with my teammates. This memory is so special and I will carry it with me forever.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LA: It’s impossible to describe how blessed I am to have had such an amazing group of talented women with which to experience the past four years of LUWS. Each teammate in my class brings something very special to the group dynamic that allows us to mesh together so well, kind of like a small family. It has been so rewarding to grow together from freshman year to now – supporting each other through the highlights, and also through the more challenging moments of our college experience. I really cannot imagine my time at Lehigh without Ally, Chole, Grace, Kenzie, Lisa and Miranda. We have had a blast… so many memories. I will forever cherish our tight bond as a class, and look forward to our continuing friendships and creating more memories in the future.
What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
LA: Very mixed emotions. Sad, because I will be saying goodbye to continuous learning at the undergraduate level, living the college dream with my best friends and teammates, and ending a soccer career that began when I was four years old. Soccer has played such a major role in my life, providing discipline, challenge, self-awareness, and many opportunities for personal growth. It has also been so much fun and an awesome journey. It is difficult to imagine life without the cadence of a soccer program. At the same time, I’m excited to begin the next chapter of my life – entering the working world, graduate school, living in a new city, and playing soccer just for fun. I feel confident that I am well-prepared for this next chapter of my life with the solid academic foundation that Lehigh has provided, as well as the personal development achieved through the LUWS program.
What will you miss most about Lehigh women’s soccer?
LA: 6 a.m. practices, running the 300s, and playing in the rain. Just kidding. I will most definitely miss the constancy of being a part of a high-level team and playing alongside my teammates every day. The good, the bad and everything in between… all of it. The relationships and memories I have been able to make over these past four years have been so wonderful, and it has been such a joy to be part of this big soccer family. From bus ride karaoke sessions and locker room “pregames,” to working hard for the player next to me on the field, I will miss having this sense of collectiveness in my life. I am excited to watch the teammates that I leave behind continue to compete on the field, carry on the karaoke and other team traditions, and most importantly, work hard for the LUWS program.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
LA: Always cheer your teammates on with your spirit to win and love of the game. I hope my legacy is an example of a player who brings positive energy and hard work to the LUWS program. I think one of the most important aspects of playing at this level is to show up every day ready to grind and push your teammates while still keeping the playing environment encouraging and fun. I made a conscious effort to train and play this way, always striving to improve my own play, as well as my teammates around me. I hope I have inspired my teammates and incoming LUWS members to always push forward when challenges arise and to do so with grace and confidence.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LA: After graduation, I will be joining the Immune Deficiency Cellular Therapy Program as a Postbaccacalaureate Research Fellow at the National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute in the D.C. area. I will be conducting pediatric oncology research with Dr. Lea Cunningham and her team, specifically focusing on a germline mutation found in leukemia patients. After this one-year position, I plan to attend medical school to eventually practice in a pediatric specialty area of medicine.
#25 Mackenzie Anton – Reading, Pa. – Exeter Township
What’s your favorite Lehigh women’s soccer memory up until this point?
MA: My favorite memory is definitely beating both Bucknell and Colgate in the 2018 Patriot League Quarterfinal and Semifinal games. I really can’t decide which game was more exciting, with both Kayla and Sabrina scoring goals in the final seconds. Although we didn’t come out on top [in the championship game], each player was so bought into the idea of the team and that team-first mentality is exactly what LUWS should embrace every day.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MA: I could not have been surrounded by a more successful, sophisticated and smart group of women. Every class always talks about how different each person is, and that is something that also holds true for us as well. We have all had different experiences throughout our time on this team, and we all bring something different to the table. But, an unspeakable bond has been formed that we will all share for the rest of our lives. I am so impressed and will continue to be impressed with the way we have all grown and will continue to grow. I look forward to seeing the immense success that lies ahead for all of us and know we will all fall nothing short of excellence. Above all, I love the six of them with all of my heart and couldn’t imagine living this experience with anyone else.
What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MA: Being a part of LUWS and competing at this level has taught me a lot. I’m going to be honest and say playing collegiate soccer was really tough, but it was also the most fulfilling experience I have ever had. To be a part of this team and step on the field is a privilege. I have found, regardless of the circumstances, that this experience and this team are truly special. One of my biggest takeaways from playing is that the successes and highs are great, but embracing failure is where the true work is done. I have learned how to fail in so many different ways, but have come out a better person and have figured out who I want to be. I have met some of the greatest people, and LUWS will always hold a very special place in my heart. I understand it is hard to see all that this team offers in such a competitive environment, but hope all find the special bond that this team carries beyond the time at Lehigh.
What will you miss most about Lehigh women’s soccer?
MA: I will easily miss the team the most. It is impossible to explain to someone outside of the team the grind and how much goes into playing collegiate soccer. I have found it very difficult to relate my experience to someone who hasn’t lived it. But, it is so powerful to be able to relate to and guide others who are living a similar experience. So, I will miss that bond the most. I will miss the laughs and the tears and playing more than anyone can imagine. Above all, I will miss the privilege of playing next to my teammates each day, who inspire me as much as I hope to inspire them. Honestly, I don’t think I will truly appreciate how much this team means to me until I am no longer a part of it. But, if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that LUWS carries beyond Lehigh with a connection forming between all players, past and present.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
MA: I have thought a lot about this question, and the legacy I hope to leave is tough to put into words. But after a lot of thought, I want to be remembered as someone who was an absolutely great teammate. A teammate who was so solid and so reliable, on and off the field. A teammate who had great success, but also struggled. A teammate who influenced, guided, set the standard and paid it forward like all those who did the same for me. Someone who looked out and cared for every single person and was willing to put in the work for the good of the team, day in and day out. But above all, I want to leave the legacy of a great teammate who always embraced the grind, put in the work and gave so much heart to this team.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MA: Fortunately, I am not fully leaving the team after graduation. I am planning to stay at Lehigh to obtain a Master’s in Engineering and become the team’s graduate assistant coach. Following the completion of graduate school at Lehigh, I hope to be enrolled during the Summer/Fall of 2022 in a Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies program to eventually become a PA.
#6 Grace Forsyth – Fair Haven, N.J. – Rumson-Fair Haven
What’s your favorite Lehigh women’s soccer memory up until this point?
GF: My favorite memory was going to Boston for the tournament in 2018. Being the underdogs, it was so exciting to experience a championship run. The energy amongst that team was incredibly memorable, with everyone playing for one another and believing in one another.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
GF: Many times throughout our career, our coaches have probed us to consider our “why” of playing, or what motivates us to keep pushing, even when it is difficult. My why has been, and continues to be, my fellow classmates. Over the past four years, six strangers have become my closest friends, girls who I would do anything for. I cannot describe how proud I am to be able to stand alongside them on the field and in life, as they are so uniquely thoughtful, selfless, and capable – each in their own impressive way. They have made me a better person, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us.
What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
GF: As my career comes to an end, I am constantly reminded of how grateful I am. Thinking back to how many hours were spent playing, it seems like soccer was always a given, but it truly was a privilege. I am most grateful to my family, who never missed a game, and who gave me every opportunity in the world.
What will you miss most about Lehigh women’s soccer?
GF: I will miss the girls the most. Having such a strong network of women surrounding me for four years who are constantly seeking to uplift one another is undoubtedly one of the greatest blessings of my college career. Despite so much of our time being devoted to soccer, it has been the little moments when we are not playing that have made it worth it to me and that I will carry with me after I graduate.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
GF: I hope that I leave a legacy of resiliency, of giving it my all and not settling.
What are your postgraduate plans?
GF: Following graduation, I will be taking one gap year before attending medical school.
#5 Ally Friedman – Basking Ridge, N.J. – Ridge
What’s your favorite Lehigh women’s soccer memory up until this point?
AF: My favorite Lehigh soccer memory is from our 2018 season when we made the PLC as underdogs and had the opportunity to stay in Boston for a long weekend for both the semi and final game. It was such a fun experience to bond with teammates and prepare for our biggest game of the season. It was exciting as a sophomore to be playing for each other and our seniors on such an important stage.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AF: Our senior class is one of a kind and has built bonds that reach way beyond the soccer field. We have grown through these past four years together and treat each other like family. Each one of my experiences at Lehigh has been heightened because of the energy and excitement that the senior group brings.
What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AF: Approaching the end of my collegiate career has been bittersweet as we were lucky enough to get to play a final season given the circumstances. It has been such a fun ride to be a part of LUWS for the past four years and it has taught me so much, both on and off the field. I have made friendships that will last beyond my time at Lehigh and have made connections that have benefited me in so many aspects of life. I’m so thankful for the people that the program has brought me, so I am very sad to be nearing the end of my competitive career, but excited for what’s to come.
What will you miss most about Lehigh women’s soccer?
AF: What I am going to miss most about LUWS are the people that make every practice, game and team outing so enjoyable and unique. We have had such a great group of girls over the years, who have turned into great friends and teammates.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
AF: I hope to leave a legacy that empowers players to compete every day and remember to enjoy every minute of it. Regardless of stats and numbers, it is so important to always show up and get better each and every day.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AF: After graduation, I plan to move to New York City where I will start work in the Analytics Department at Bloomberg LP. I am excited to start my professional career and have the added bonus of working alongside some previous LUWS players.
#15 Lisa Kestelboym – Fair Lawn, N.J. – Fair Lawn
What’s your favorite Lehigh women’s soccer memory up until this point?
LK: My favorite Lehigh women’s soccer memory was during my sophomore year when we played Lafayette at home for Senior Night and scored three goals in the first 20 minutes of the game. What made this game even more special was that when Lafayette tied the game in the 10th minute, instead of putting our heads down, our team scored another goal 18 seconds later. Then, we scored again nine minutes later (shout out Sabrina). We ended up winning the game 4-1 through the resilience and drive of our players, and went on to play in the PLC final that season.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LK: My fellow seniors are my ride-or-dies, my second family. We spend most of our time laughing and joking around with one another, but yet support each other unconditionally through tough times. We appreciate each other’s differences and root for one another’s success. I’ve loved witnessing every senior grow into a strong, driven woman in the past four years.
What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
LK: As I near the end of my collegiate career, I look back and appreciate every friend, teammate, and coach that has contributed to the most amazing journey of my life. I think of my selfless parents who have given me the opportunity to fall in love with soccer and grow up playing a sport that has shaped me into the person I am today. I am thankful for all of the experiences, lessons, joys, and hardships the game has given me.
What will you miss most about Lehigh women’s soccer?
LK: What I will miss most about Lehigh women’s soccer are by far my teammates. Being a D1 athlete at a high-level institution is a challenge and there are many instances when my teammates have helped me immensely through difficult circumstances. The relationships I have formed throughout the years will stay with me forever. There is no other group of people that I would rather climb a mountain with.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
LK: I hope to leave behind a legacy of passion, inspiring future players to always retain the simple joy they felt when they first fell in love with the game. Have fun with it and bring up your teammates around you. More importantly, I hope to leave behind a legacy of authenticity. Self awareness will allow you to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Be unapologetically yourself and strive to find the best version of that. It takes courage, but people will love you for it.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LK: After graduation, I will be working for Cisco Meraki and moving out to San Francisco, California where I will begin my career as a software engineer. From then on, I have no idea where life will take me.
#99 Miranda Royds – Ambler, Pa. – Hatboro-Horsham
What’s your favorite Lehigh women’s soccer memory up until this point?
MR: Besides all the pr-game dance parties and preseason ice baths, my favorite LUWS memory up until this point would have to be Kayla’s OT goal to beat Bucknell in 2018, sending us to the PL semifinals. This game was one of my favorites because of the upset and THRILL at the end, and how it all came together in the postseason.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MR: My relationship with my fellow seniors is something I would not trade for the world. Throughout our past four years here, we have all grown together, learned a lot and become great friends and teammates. I would not want to have gone through this crazy year with any other group, and each of these ladies have taught me something that I will continue to do in the future and beyond. I know next year, we will not all be together, but our strong foundation as basically sisters here will carry us throughout the years to come.
What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MR: This whole year I have been trying to really drive home that positive mentality and really cherish any opportunities that we are given, especially in these crazy times and it being senior year. That has really been my mentality this season as well with leading with gratitude and making the most of our time here.
What will you miss most about Lehigh women’s soccer?
MR: I will miss the times spent with my teammates the most and the feeling of being united as a team and playing for the greater good and doing it for others. I have met some of my best friends here and I will miss the chats in the locker room, the pregame jitters and everything else in between spent with these girls. I have loved every second of being a member of this program and am so grateful for my time here.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
MR: I hope to leave a legacy of a positive attitude and hard work. I know that is so cliché, but I hope that my time here has taught the younger girls and incoming members to this program that smart work sometimes trumps hard work, and a positive attitude will get you a long way. I hope to leave a smile on my teammates’ faces and that they will remember to enjoy their time here because it really does fly by.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MR: My postgraduate plans are to attend Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in the fall and become a practicing physician.
#4 Chloe Tremblay – Brentwood, Tenn. – Battle Ground Academy
What’s your favorite Lehigh women’s soccer memory up until this point?
CT: It is nearly impossible to choose a single moment, but one of my favorite memories is from my sophomore year, during the Patriot League semifinal, when Sabrina scored a header off of a corner kick in the 90th minute. Everyone stormed the field, and we were through to the championship. The entire team really wanted it for the seniors, and we had such vibrant energy that night. I will never forget it.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
CT: When you consider the small pool of people who have the chance to continue playing their sport at the collegiate level, and that these players come from all over the country, with different stories and cultures, I consider myself incredibly lucky to have connected with my senior teammates on the level that we have. The very fact that all seven of us have started and are ending this journey together, given the high level of transfers and opting out in college soccer is amazing. When you not only go through the highs and lows of normal soccer life together, but also have to work through things like lockdowns and a pandemic, you really learn to lean on each other. I know it sounds like a cliché, but there is nothing we would not do for each other. We have formed an incredible bond that has enriched my experience at Lehigh in so many ways. These girls are my family now.
What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you’re nearing the end of your collegiate career?
CT: I truly cannot believe how fast it has gone by. Something that comforts me is knowing that if I had the opportunity to go back in time, I would make the same decisions and do it all over again. Given the fact that so many seniors had to miss out on their final seasons due to COVID, I feel very fortunate to have had this competition season. The pandemic has added an extra layer of appreciation over each practice and match this season.
What will you miss most about Lehigh women’s soccer?
CT: I will miss the team the most. LUWS has become my family away from home, and spending as much time as we do with one another, we gain this amazing support system. We have shared so many memories, not all easy, but even when things were difficult we always found a way to look at the bright side and make each other laugh.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
CT: In my opinion, the LUWS team has an exceptionally strong culture that essentially becomes its legacy. Maybe it’s because that culture attracts players with similar traits, regardless of where they are coming from, but it’s crazy to me how quickly the freshmen of each class learn to embody that culture and to enrich it with their own strengths. I think that collective legacy, and the feeling of belonging to something larger than just our own class, explains how the entire team is so closely knit every single year, even with new players entering and seniors leaving every year. As far I am concerned, I like to think my own contribution to Lehigh’s women soccer legacy is one of passion and integrity.
What are your postgraduate plans?
CT: I will be attending law school this fall, but I am still undecided as to which as of now.
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