Senior Soccer Highlight
The women’s soccer team has had an incredible season so far, with a 20-0-0 undefeated record. This is, in part, because of the seniors who lead the team on and off the field. All three of the team captains are seniors: Anna Hoffman, Theresa Presberg, and Caitlin Mulcahy. Anna Hoffman recently won the Elite 20 Award, which, according to the Lake Forest College Athletic Website “recognizes the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average participating in their respective sports championship or tournament event.” In the first game of the Midwest Conference (MWC) tournament, Anna Hoffman assisted Anna Gracia in scoring the goal the team needed to secure their spot in the championship the next day. Both senior goalies, Joanna Aslanidas and Greta Norville, had shutouts for both games played in the MWC tournament. I had the opportunity to interview these seniors to get to know some of their experiences and feelings about the team.
What has being on a soccer team taught you in preparation for the world outside of soccer?
“I have learned discipline from being on a soccer team. Even if you don’t want to practice or you don’t want to work hard, you still have to for yourself and your team.” -Anna Gracia, Forward
“Being on a sports team helps you be an individual in something that is bigger than just you as an individual.” -Theresa Presberg, Team Captain and Outside Defense
“This team has taught me to work with many different types of people, and to be able to communicate with them for the better of the team. I have gotten to know different kinds of people, which teaches you to be better in the world and be open to new ideas.” – Joanna Aslanides, Goalie
Do you feel like you have made an impact on this team? Are you proud of what the team has become?
“I didn’t think that we as a class would make that much of an impact, but on senior night reading back the letters and reading how much, at least me personally and I’m sure all the other seniors, impacted everybody else was really cool.” – Izzy DeStefano, Outside Midfield
“We score goals and we lead on the field, but off the field is honestly what made the biggest impact after senior day. It really hit me, like the field is one thing, but the person you are is was makes the impact on the people around us.” – Caitlin Mulcahy, Team Captain and Defensive Midfielder
What advice do you have for the team next year?
“Remember that nobody is forcing us to play soccer, and that it is a privilege to play every single day.” – Anna Hoffman, Team Captain and Outside Midfield
“Enjoy the time with the team, I know it’s cheesy, but the time really does go fast. I remember coming on my recruit visit and thinking that the seniors then were so old, and now I’m a senior.” – Lauren Covarrubias, Midfielder and Forward
“Enjoy the moments, enjoy the small ones, enjoy the big ones, enjoy the overnights, enjoy going to team dinner and breakfast, enjoy all aspects of the team that you won’t necessarily have after you graduate. You’re not going to have those moments with your second family unless you play club after college.” – Greta Norville, Goalie
As playoff matches loom, the seniors show the determination and skill that helped bring the team to this point and continue to demonstrate leadership that will carry on after this season.
As of writing, the women’s soccer team will host the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, which will be the second time hosting in program history. The team will play against Spalding University in the first match of the tournament.
By Annabelle Thompson ’28
Annabelle Thompson is a member of the women’s soccer team.