Despite being only a sophomore, Normandy girls soccer player Alyssa Soltis was named the Northeast Ohio Conference most valuable player. The team won its second consecutive conference championship, but saw its season end in a 2-0 loss against North Royalton. With two more years to go in her soccer career, Soltis is excited for what her future brings.
Read about some of the sophomore's motivations to play soccer, and what is her best career moment so far.
D: Who has been the biggest inspiration of you playing soccer?
A: Mia Hamm has been my biggest inspiration. She is a team player and is also a leader on and off the field. Plus I have had many great coaches growing up playing soccer such as· Steve Davis, Nate Rausch, Kenneth Russo, and my current coach Juan Barreto, all push me to be a leader on and off the field, and to be the best teammate and player I can be.
D: What has been your favorite memory thus far in your soccer career?
A: My favorite memory is being part of the Normandy Soccer Team winning back to back N.O.C. Division Titles. We were able to accomplish for the first time in Lady Invader Soccer school history.
Q: Are you the type of player that is a big fan of watching the game on tv, and who are your favorite soccer players?
A: I enjoy watching soccer on television , especially when Alex Morgan , Christiano Ronalda, and Lionel Messi are playing. I also enjoyed going to Crew Stadium to watch the U.S. Womens National Team play live.
D: What separates soccer from different sports?
A: Soccer is a physically demanding sport with practices every day, and playing games 3 times a week . It is also very mentally challenging you always have to be 3 steps ahead of what is going on.
D: Wbat did you learn from this season that will help you going into the next two years of your career?
A: You need to be versatile. I need to be able to play positions that are outside of my comfort zone and be able to adapt to the players around me.
Q: What are some of your hobbies. When you're not playing soccer?
A: My soccer schedule takes up most of my time, but when I'm not playing or doing school work I like to hangout with my
friends.