Making her parents proud

December 18, 2015

By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Media Relations

Ani Nahapetian's internal drive to succeed has led to an exceptional career as a member of the Lehigh women's soccer program. A four-year standout goalkeeper, student and leader, she has left a lasting legacy.

Nahapetian's success has been driven by relentlessness that stems from her parents, who immigrated to the United States in 1992.

"My dad earned an education, got a job and started our family here," said Ani. "He's always been working and making sure our family is taken care of. My parents put 100 percent of their effort into everything they do, and it's for a better life for their children.

"I see how hard my parents work and if I don't work even half as hard, I'm doing them a disservice."

Ani's accomplishments should undoubtedly make her parents proud. A contributor from day one, Nahapetian split time with Ashley Blanks over her first three seasons before taking over the reigns as starting goalkeeper during her senior campaign. Splitting time with another goalie could have been perceived as a negative, but it proved to be an opportunity for learning and growth.

"Over our careers, we learned the importance of making sure each of us was on top of our games," said Nahapetian, who often split time in both high school and club soccer as well.

Just one class apart, the two goalkeepers used each other to improve their own play.

"Ashley and I were similar players, but we each had areas of strength," said Nahapetian. "She showed me her tricks on certain things, I showed her my tricks and we were able to feed off each other."
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The teamwork proved infectious to the rest of the Mountain Hawks.

"Ani represents the value of team-first mentality," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "She shared time when both players could make the case to be a starting goalkeeper. As Ashley did before her, Ani understood the value her fellow goalkeeper provided to the team and the importance of helping our underclassmen (her senior year)."

"Ani was incredibly helpful in all aspects of my transition to college, both in soccer and academically," said freshman goalkeeper Lidia Breen. "On the field, she always let me know when there was something I could fix about my technique, my vision of the field or my communication. She never hesitated to go out early and put in extra work with the younger goalkeepers to help us build confidence and adjust to the speed of the college game."

Over her first three seasons, Nahapetian didn't complain of lack of playing time. Instead, she treasured the opportunity to play college soccer, which was something that initially entered her mind in high school. Nahapetian was put in goal from the beginning, and as they say, the rest is history.

"I started playing goalie on an under-11 team," said Ani. "I was pretty big for my age, so a lot of the coaches thought I had the potential to be a really good goalie… But I ended up not really growing."

Nahapetian's lack of height wouldn't stop her from competing at a high level. When exploring college options, the Pleasanton, California native wasn't looking to play on the East Coast, but Nahapetian caught the attention of Lehigh coaches.

"Lehigh contacted me, I did some research and realized it's a really good school," she said. "The coaching staff was persistent. I knew I wanted to be somewhere that would not only give me a good education, but also be at a place where the coaching staff really wanted me."

Nahapetian's move East proved challenging. More than even academics or athletics, the adjustment being away from home was most difficult.

"I struggled with home sickness and doing things for myself," said Nahapetian. "When things would go wrong in high school, I would run home to my mom, she'd make dinner and we'd relax. Now, when something went wrong, I didn't have that option."

The adjustment was a struggle, but understandable and normal for someone almost 3,000 miles away from home. Nahapetian's Lehigh teammates became like a second family.

"Everyone is always welcome," said Nahapetian. "This past season, we went to Sabrina's (Mertz) house for a team dinner before a game. Every single person on this team loves one another. We open up our homes for each other. It's exciting to see things like that because you know there's a team-first mentality."

The family atmosphere helped Nahapetian adjust and overcome early homesickness. As a leader and a difference maker does, Ani later returned the favor to the younger Breen, who was dealing with similar challenges in adjusting to college.

"Ani really made herself available to help me work through any problems I was having," said Breen. "When I was feeling homesick or anxious about classes, she took the time out of her day to take me out to lunch, talk me through whatever problem I was having and make me feel better, which is something I'll always be thankful for."

The Mountain Hawks are family, so it's fitting that one of Ani's top collegiate memories is when her biological family, and her Lehigh family, crossed paths. During her sophomore season, the Mountain Hawks traveled to a tournament at St. Mary's College in California, approximately a 30-minute drive from Nahapetian's hometown.

"My entire family got to come watch us play," she said. "That was exciting, but the best part of the entire trip was a team dinner at my house. We sat in my backyard, ate and played games. It was exciting to see everyone come together and have a fun time."

On the soccer field, Nahapetian finished her career with a 1.31 goals against average, 79.9 save percentage and 12 shutouts. In the classroom, she's been just as successful. Currently owning a cumulative GPA of 3.55, Nahapetian wasn't always interested in engineering.

"I originally wanted to be a Biology major," she said. "Coach Lambinus actually convinced me to try bioengineering, since my math was pretty strong. When I visited, he gave me a packet which talked about the different engineering programs and showed me bioengineering. The cell and tissue track resonated with me. I didn't really know what I wanted to do with biology, but the bioengineering aspect opened the door."

The door opened to a world of opportunities. Nahapetian had to endure the normal adjustments to Lehigh's academic rigors, but she settled in nicely.

"I've learned a lot, especially over the bioengineering curriculum," she said. "We cover so many different little facets; it's not purely biology. There is a lot of mechanics, a lot of chemistry and a lot of physics, so a really wide range of information."

Beyond classroom work, Nahapetian has enjoyed worthwhile internships that will help set her up for success after graduation. Lehigh Director of Operations Bill Moukoulis helped set Ani up with a mechanics-based opportunity this past summer.

"My internship was at Aesculap, where Coach Moukoulis works," she said. "I asked him if he could send my resume to HR. They got back to me, I got an interview with the spine surgical department and they hired me for the summer internship."

The opportunity included working with a 3D program and designing some instruments for surgery.

"I made a model on a computer then I printed a plastic prototype, they made a metal model and actually used it in a cadaver lab," said Nahapetian. "I did some prototype testing in our lab, but for the most part, it was computer work."

The previous summer, Nahapetian enjoyed a more hands-on biology-based experience, working in a lab in California.

"I did a lot with different types of cells," she said. "I got to sequence some DNA. I put a lab coat on, gloves, goggles, etc. I got both sides of the spectrum, and I liked them both."
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After she graduates, Nahapetian has options. Her bioengineering curriculum has allowed her to learn about, and experience, a wide variety of work, from biology to engineering.

"I'm currently in the process of applying for jobs and rotational programs, then I'm going to continue working through the medical school application process," said Nahapetian. "Depending on how I feel with the job I find, I'll be able to distinguish the right path for me. If I love my job opportunity, then I will pursue the bioengineering industry. But if I still feel like I'm missing something, I'll probably take the path towards medical school."

At the foundation of Nahapetian's success is her passion and desire in everything she does, a legacy that will last for years to come. A strong goalkeeper who set the tone for her teammates, she helped set the foundation for the Lehigh women's soccer program, truly embodying the Mountain Hawks' vision.

"Ani epitomizes everything about our vision… everything," said Lambinus. "She loves the game of soccer and played with a passion. You could just see it in her eyes, you could see it in the way she played and the way she communicated with her teammates."

Nahapetian is thankful for her opportunity at Lehigh.

"Growing up in Pleasanton, I was pretty sheltered," she said. "I always felt that everyone thought the way I did, which is what most people assume when they grow up in the same place.

"I don't think I'd be the person I am today without my Lehigh experience," Nahapetian continued. "I've learned a lot about different people and different parts of the United States. The soccer program has taught me how to interact with different types of people."

Ani has grown into a complete person, and it all ties back to her parents and their hard work.

"I'm more comfortable with myself, I know who I am, and what my roots and beliefs are," said Nahapetian. "I struggled with that prior to Lehigh."

There is no doubt who Nahapetian is - a hard worker with a tireless work ethic, who's left her mark on the Lehigh women's soccer program.

"I hope when people talk about me, the one thing they'll say is I gave my heart and soul to the team," she said. "I have a lot of passion for the sport and these girls. I truly care about every single one of them. Hopefully 10 years down the line, my teammates all know I'm there for them.

"These friendships we build aren't just for four years… It's for a lifetime."