BETHLEHEM, Pa. - There's no question this Lehigh women's soccer senior class knows success, on and off the field. This group of six seniors has played an important role in Lehigh's recent success, which has included two straight Patriot League Tournament berths, with the Mountain Hawks featuring one of the top defenses in the league. Lehigh's defense began the 2016 season with eight straight shutouts, with the backline including two members of the current senior class. This class has scored key goals, including last Saturday at American – a big win which put the Mountain Hawks right back into contention for a Patriot League Tournament spot. Perhaps most impressively, this class' average GPA is 3.56, with challenging majors including industrial and systems engineering, bioengineering, finance and more. These seniors will be remembered most for what they have meant to the Lehigh women's soccer community in ways beyond simply statistics… although they have put up their fair share of statistics too.
 
Lehighsports.com caught up with the Mountain Hawks' six seniors in advance of Saturday's Senior Night.
 
#0 Lidia Breen – Goalkeeper – La Grange, Ill. – Political Science & Journalism
Breen's impact on the Lehigh women's soccer program has been felt on the field, in the classroom and as a leader within the Lehigh and Lehigh Athletics' campus community. On the field, Breen made her collegiate debut in her first-career game against Mount St. Mary's as a freshman, playing the final 12:38. Breen played in the second half last season at UMBC while this year, she stopped all four shots sent her way in the second half vs. Fairleigh Dickinson to earn the win against the reigning NEC Regular Season Champions. In the classroom, Breen owns a 3.60 GPA in journalism, which includes a perfect 4.0 semester and multiple semesters on the Dean's List. She has also been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. Breen is co-captain of TIDE (tackling inclusion, diversity and equality), helping make the campus community a more inclusive environment.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
LB: There are four years of amazing memories to choose from and it is almost impossible to choose one. If I have to though, my favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory would probably be our trip to France as a team sophomore year. Getting to spend a week abroad playing soccer and exploring a different culture is a once-in-a-lifetime experience on its own, and getting to experience it with your best friends is even better. Being able to explore the streets of Paris for five hours with my classmates is one of my favorite memories, not only from my time as a member of the team, but also of my entire life. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities being a part of this team has afforded me, and feel so lucky to have been a member of LUWS. 
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LB: My relationship with my fellow seniors has been by far the best part of being a part of the Lehigh women's soccer team. These five girls have become my best friends and have helped shape me into the best version of myself through their unwavering friendship and support. They are the most accepting, loyal and kind people that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and know things about me before I even know them myself. I can't imagine where I would be, or who I would be without them. Although we are all extremely different people, we somehow mesh together to form one supportive, super weird (but amazing!) group of girls. 
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
LB: I am going into Senior Night feeling excited and grateful for the opportunity to play another game of soccer with my best friends. It is definitely a bittersweet moment to be approaching the end of your competitive soccer career, and it feels like just yesterday that we were getting dropped off for freshman year preseason. However, this season, I have just been trying to enjoy every moment and all the little things that you may take for granted about soccer and being an athlete. I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of this amazing program and hope to have added to the legacy of LUWS. On Saturday, I will be enjoying the moment and a great night of the game we all love with my favorite people, at my favorite place in the world. 
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
LB: What I will miss most about Lehigh women's soccer is my teammates. I have formed such incredible relationships with everyone on this team, and not getting to see them everyday at practice will definitely be the worst part about being done with my career. I'll miss the little moments in the locker room, like seeing Mary Casey dance like no one is watching before games, or on the sidelines when Becca, Erin Keefe, Chloe and Grace are keeping the energy high and entertaining everyone with their shenanigans and at practice when Miranda Royds trips over a big cone every time we use them. This team has become my family, and I will miss being with them every day.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
LB: I hope to leave the legacy of a team-first, committed and positive teammate. I hope that I could be an example to my teammates that no matter what your role on the team is you can have an impact and a voice. It's about filling your role and using your skills to make the team the best it can be. 
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
LB: I am not really sure where I will land after graduation… it's only October! But, I hope to use my degrees in political science and journalism to find a career in Public Relations, Marketing or really anything that allows me to be creative, work in a team and solve problems. I also hope to get a really cute dog.
 
#1 Kylie Ginsberg – Goalkeeper – Greenwich, Conn. – Industrial and Systems Engineering
Despite not seeing game action, Ginsberg has made her mark within the Lehigh women's soccer program. She served as a strong influence in practice over her first three seasons while this year, has continued to make a difference as a student manager. In the classroom, Ginsberg owns a 3.60 GPA as an industrial and systems engineering major, being named to the Dean's List on multiple occasions while garnering a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
KG: My favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory was when we beat Bucknell on their Senior Night my sophomore year. It was a huge upset and was a very exciting game to watch.
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
KG: We always joked about how different we are and that if we all went to high school together, none of us would have been friends. But, LUWS brought us together and I have five best friends because of it. 

Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
KG: It's obviously a little different for me, as I am not playing this season, so even though my career did technically already end, this night will still be a very emotional one.
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
KG: I will miss getting to see each and every one of my teammates so frequently.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
KG: I hope that after my career with Lehigh women's soccer, I leave behind a spirit of hope in future players. That sometimes, things do not work out exactly as planned and that is just life. You can either complain and pout or you can embrace it. If you are not meant for one role, it just means you need to work hard and capitalize on other talents, you may not have even realized you had. It was truly an honor to be a part of such an amazing program and I wouldn't ever change it. 

What are your postgraduate plans?
KG: I will be working in the Global Treasury Management at J.P. Morgan in New York. 
 
#9 Clare Severe – Midfielder/Defender – Bethesda, Md. – Bioengineering
Severe has played every game in her collegiate career, beginning her freshman year when she tied for fifth on the Mountain Hawks with five points (one goal, three assists). Her first-career goal came in her first collegiate game against Mount St. Mary's. Severe went on to become an anchor of Lehigh's backline as a sophomore, a group that began the season with eight straight shutouts and extended its shutout streak to 832:31 dating back to the previous season. Severe went on to have more of an offensive role as a junior and she responded, leading Lehigh with four assists and finishing third on the team with eight points. Among her strong efforts, Severe scored a career-high two goals in the regular season finale vs. Holy Cross to earn Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week recognition. So far this year, Severe has played all over the field, starting all 13 games. Also a standout for Lehigh track and field, Severe owns a 3.35 GPA as a bioengineering major, being named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll every year as both a women's soccer and track student-athlete.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
CS: There are too many memories to really pick one, but I would have to say my favorite one was our trip to France. The trip was very unique opportunity to experience a different culture through soccer, and spend the week with all of my teammates.
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
CS: My fellow seniors are my best friends. Even though we are very different people that we joke would not have been friends if it weren't for soccer bringing us together, I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
CS: Honestly, I can't believe that it really is Senior Night. I'm approaching it as a game that is vital for us to win in order to keep our season going, which is the most important thing. I am very grateful for all of the opportunities that soccer has given me, and I cannot image the person I would be today without it.

What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
CS: I will miss having the opportunity to play this wonderful sport in a competitive environment, and being able to do it with an entire group of my best friends every day.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
CS: I hope to leave a legacy of hard work and competitiveness. I want future players to think of me when they need inspiration to make that run, or put in the final push in a game.

What are your postgraduate plans?
CS: I am applying to graduate school.
 
#11 Jessica Sacco – Midfielder – Hamilton, N.Y. – Chemical Engineering
Although Sacco has only seen action in two years due to injury, her impact has gone far beyond any on-field statistics. Sacco played in 12 games as a freshman, making her collegiate debut in the season opener and getting into four Patriot League contests. A chemical engineering major, Sacco owns an impressive 3.64 GPA, being named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll almost every season and earning a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
JS: My favorite memory is Kat (Jacobellis) returning from her second ACL surgery and starting her first game back. She's such a fighter and embodies what it means to persevere, and I love watching her succeed. 
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JS: Everyone is my class is very different, and we would not have become friends if it weren't for soccer bringing us together. Kylie and I are polar opposites on paper, but I can say with confidence that I have found my best friend, and I can't wait to see how our friendship will grow once we leave here. I'm excited to see where life takes us all and the things everyone will accomplish. 
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JS: My collegiate playing career unfortunately ended sophomore year, after my last concussion. Going into Senior Night, I am focusing on the relationships I have built with the coaches, (athletic trainer) Rachel (Kennedy) and my past and current teammates. 
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
JS: I'll miss having such great and stimulating conversations with Coach Cal (Calabrese), about literally anything that could be considered controversial. I'll miss seeing Coach Lambinus get so caught up in how much he loves this game he can't formulate sentences. I'll miss laughing at something Coach Bill (Moukoulis) or one of the goalies say during goalie training. I'll miss having Rachel ask me how I'm doing every day, and actually care about the answer. Most importantly, I will miss the injured squad; I would not have made it through these past three years without you guys. 
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
JS: I couldn't leave the legacy I would have hoped to on the field, but I hope that I made an impact on people off the field through relationships, advice or just being there to listen. 
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
JS: After graduation, I am planning on going to graduate school to get my PhD in Chemical Engineering. 
 
#12 Sabrina Mertz – Midfielder – Orefield, Pa. – Finance
Mertz has been a mainstay for the Mountain Hawks from day one, scoring twice in her collegiate debut and continuing the success throughout her career. As a freshman, she led Lehigh and finished fifth in the Patriot League with 17 points behind seven goals and three assists. Mertz garnered two Patriot League weekly awards in 2015, winning Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14 and Rookie of the Week on Oct. 12. Mertz went on to add nine points in 2016 (three goals, three assists) and five points in 2017 (one goal, three assists). This year, she scored a big goal last Saturday in Lehigh's 1-0 Patriot League win at American. Mertz has started all 67 games since stepping foot on campus. Off the field, Mertz owns a 3.55 GPA in finance, being named to the Dean's List and earning a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
SM: Every year that I have had here at Lehigh has been one full of such exciting and fun moments with my best friends that I will carry with me always, which makes it very difficult to choose only one. However, I think one of my favorite moments would have to be traveling abroad to France for spring break with our team and men's soccer. I am so grateful for this opportunity that we were given by a Lehigh alum to travel to France for eight days and play against a French women's team in an enormous stadium and practice on their facilities. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the night we had the chance to eat dinner at a host family's house, which was such a cool experience. Overall, I had a blast just walking around and exploring France with my teammates and getting to try all new and different kinds of food.  
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
SM: It's funny that it feels like I have known the girls in my class since forever, even though it has only been four years. However, in these past four years, I have been so lucky to have them by my side, as they are some of the kindest, funniest, most loyal and amazing people in my life. They are my best friends and I know that no matter where life takes us, we will always be lifelong friends who look out for each other. I am so grateful to have been a part of a class who gets along so well, even though we are all so different and unique from one another. I would not have wanted to spend the last four years with any other people. They have really been the best years of my life and that is because of the incredible people that I have been so fortunate to have been surrounded by.

Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
SM: So, so crazy how fast the time has gone, I cannot even believe that this day is finally here. It is definitely a bittersweet one. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have been given to be a part of the LUWS team and family. I have been playing soccer since I was four – it has become such an integral part of my life and the reason that I have made so many amazing friendships. Although I will miss the game of soccer so much and the extreme competitive aspect of it at the collegiate level, it will definitely be my teammates and the people who I will miss the absolute most.
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
SM: My teammates are definitely the part I will miss most about LUWS. Let me tell you, playing a Division I sport can definitely be hard at times, but it's the people who have surrounded me these past four years that make every part of it worth it. My teammates have become my family; they are the people I turn to in times of need, they are the people I would do absolutely anything for and they are what have made these past years so unforgettable. It's the relationships that I have built with my teammates that I will miss the most, and being able to see all of them each and every day.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
SM: I hope to have left a legacy of hard work, dependability and a team-first attitude. I've always prioritized forming the best relationships that I can with every person on the team, and I hope that I'm remembered for the work that I put in off the field to do the little things every day. Playing soccer isn't only about showing up to practice every day and kicking the ball around. You need to put in a lot of work off the field to have a successful team and to be a good teammate and leader.
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
SM: Working in Manhattan, New York for Macquarie Group (Investment Bank)

#20 Ashley Maziarz – Defender – Chesterfield, N.J. – Bioengineering
Maziarz's career has been highlighted by her sophomore campaign when she was part of Lehigh's back line that started the year with eight straight shutouts and allowed just 12 goals in 18 games. She also tallied one point that season, an assist on what proved to be the game-winning goal in the Mountain Hawks' 3-2 win at previously undefeated Bucknell. Maziarz also played in nine games as a freshman and 15 as a junior. This year, she has gotten into six games before missing time due to injury. Maziarz has excelled in the classroom, posting a 3.59 GPA in bioengineering, being named to the Dean's List on multiple occasions and earning a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
AM: My favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory was when we beat Bucknell my sophomore year. Bucknell was undefeated that season and it was a game we were very excited to play. The end of the game proved to be a real nailbiter, but we ended up winning, 3-2. We played some of our best soccer that game, and the goals we scored were beautiful. It was very fun, and those are the types of games I remember the most.
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AM: My seniors are my best friends and I truly can't imagine life without them. I'm very thankful for Lehigh women's soccer because it brought them into my life. I wouldn't have wanted to go through the last four years without them.
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AM: I honestly can't describe how I'm feeling going into this night. It's a mixture of complete and utter sadness that my time as a soccer player is coming to an end, with excitement for the journey that lies ahead of me. I'm thankful for the amazing memories that have been made throughout my time as a player, and for the people that I have been introduced to along the way. I also can't thank my parents enough for all of the sacrifices that they have made for me, as they have supported me throughout the entirety of my career. When Coach would ask us why we play soccer, I hope that my family knows that I always said I played for them. I can see the joy and pride that watching me play has brought them, and I can only hope that I can continue to make them proud in the next stages of my life.
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
AM: I will miss my LUWSers the most. They made coming to practice fun and they have helped me through all of my tough times. They each have their own quirks, but they are so genuine and warm-hearted and I can't wait to continue building memories with them.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
AM: I hope to leave the legacy of "mom". It sounds weird, but everyone on the team would call me mom because I was always there to help when needed. I want people to remember me that way, as the person who took care of people when they were sick or hurt, or who would drive people around if they needed it. I hope I'm remembered as someone who always cared for her teammates.
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
AM: I will be working for Sanofi Pasteur as an Industrial Associate.

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