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, dished assists and prevented goals, but most importantly, they've collectively raised the standard of excellence within the program. This group only knows winning, having made the Patriot League Tournament each of its first three years and reaching the championship game last season. Once again this year, the Mountain Hawks find themselves squarely in the mix competing for a postseason spot and if they qualify, it would mark the first time in program history that Lehigh women's soccer would advance to four straight league tournaments. Off the field, this group has tallied a cumulative grade point average of 3.64, and completed some prestigious internships over the summers to set them up for success after graduation. There's no doubt, all six are destined for great things.
 
In advance of Saturday's Senior Day (1 p.m. vs. Holy Cross), Lehighsports.com caught up with the six Mountain Hawk seniors.
 
#3 Maggie Wadsworth – Forward/Midfielder – Weddington, N.C. – Finance
Wadsworth has been a mainstay in the Mountain Hawks' lineup over her four years. She made an immediate impact as a freshman, tallying two goals and an assist during her freshman campaign. Those numbers increased to five goals and an assist as a sophomore to earn third team All-Patriot League honors. One of the highlights came early that season when she scored the game-winning goal in double overtime for a thrilling win at Temple. As a junior, Wadsworth dished a team-high four assists, including a great pass to set up Lehigh's first goal in the Patriot League Semifinal victory against Colgate. So far this year, Wadsworth has a goal and assist; she scored the game-tying goal as Lehigh came back for a big win against Bucknell earlier this month. Also strong in the classroom, Wadsworth owns a 3.56 cumulative GPA in Finance, earning a spot on the Dean's List and being named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll multiples times.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
MW: My favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory thus far has to be making it to the PLC my junior season. The way in which we worked our way to the championship game was particularly memorable. Coming off to a slow start in league play (0-4), some teams didn't foresee us even making the Patriot League Tournament. Ending the regular season 3-6, we were able to clinch the No. 5 seed. After upsetting Bucknell and Colgate, we advanced to the finals against No. 1 seed BU. Looking back on our season, that is my favorite memory because it displayed the true capability of a team that never quit working, and exemplified how far confidence in your own ability can take you even when the odds are against you.
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MW: We are a very unique group of friends in the sense that we complement one another through our differences. I think we are special because despite not ending as the original eight we started on the field with, our relationships with one another still remain the same outside of soccer. It's what initially brought us together and we share a bond because of it.
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MW: Heading into the final games of my collegiate career, I look back and reflect on all the opportunity playing this sport has given me. It has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and attend a prestigious university nine hours from my home, taught me the value of a strong work ethic, given me a team-first mentality and has brought me lifelong friends. I wouldn't be who I am today without all the qualities it has instilled in me, and I'm thankful it has been such a major part of my life the past 17 years.
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
MW: I will miss the team aspect and everything it represents. Knowing that you are all playing for each other, your university and past LUWS teams is an extremely special and rare opportunity I will always cherish.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
MW: I hope to leave the legacy of a teammate who was easy to play with and tough to play against. I think it's important to understand that you don't have to be the loudest one on the field to have a presence; it shows through your work rate, passion and trust in your teammates. I was inspired by the charisma and cohesion those who came before me brought to the team, and hope to have helped build upon this inclusive culture for the next generation of players.
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
MW: After graduation, I will be working for Bloomberg LP in New York City, starting as a Generalist in their Financial Product Analytics & Sales program.
 
#8 Kathryn Jacobellis – Defender – Fountain Hills, Ariz. – Finance
Despite battling injuries throughout her career, Jacobellis has been a key contributor to the program in a number of ways. As a sophomore, she started the first four games of the season on the back line and played well, but an injury would end her season (and ultimately collegiate career). The defense allowed just two goals in the four games Jacobellis started, including two shutouts. Even though she isn't able to play today, Kat is serving as a integral support member on the team. From filming games to the intangibles she brings as a veteran teammate, there is no denying Jacobellis has made her presence felt. In the classroom, Jacobellis owns a 3.47 cumulative GPA in Finance. It includes being named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, and garnering a spot on the Dean's List, on multiple occasions.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
KJ: My favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory is being able to travel to Le Havre, France over the spring my freshman year. It was my first time going to Europe and it was such a surreal experience. Also, the game in the incredible stadium against the Le Havre team was my first game playing on the field with LUWS after coming back from my second ACL injury, so it definitely was a game I will always remember.

Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
KJ: Our senior class is very unique and extremely talented, and we all bring something different to the table. We've all been through so much together and have made so many memories. I can't imagine spending four years with anyone else, and I'm excited to make more memories with them post grad. 

Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
KJ: Though I haven't been able to participate on the field in the way I would have hoped due to injuries, I still am so grateful to be a part of this amazing team. I have learned so much about mental toughness, sacrificing for your team and perseverance, and it has definitely shaped me the most into who I am today. 

What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
KJ: Definitely the friendships and being able to see my teammates every day. Even if I've had a bad day, I always loved going over the mountain to mentally 'reset' and enjoy some time with my teammates.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
KJ: I hope that people will remember me as someone who never gave up, and as someone who was able to contribute positively off the field when I wasn't able to play. 

What are your postgraduate plans?
KJ: I will be working full-time in New York at Bloomberg in the Financial Product Analytics & Sales Department.
 
#10 Kayla Arestivo – Midfielder/Forward – Northport, N.Y. – Journalism
Arestivo contributed from the beginning of her collegiate career, but she has continued to get better every year. It culminated last season by being named All-Patriot League recognition and United Soccer Coaches second team All-Region. Arestivo tied for the team lead in goals (5) and points (12), and had a knack for coming up big when it mattered most. She scored the game-tying goal in the regular season finale at Holy Cross, a game that sent the Mountain Hawks to the Patriot League Tournament. Just four days later in the quarterfinals at Bucknell, Arestivo scored the game-winner with only two seconds remaining in double overtime, a play that would be voted as a finalist for the Patriot League Play of the Year (across all sports). Arestivo has scored two goals this season to up her career total to 10, but her impact goes far beyond statistics as the midfielder has made strong contributions on the defensive end of the field as well. In the classroom, Arestivo owns a 3.29 cumulative GPA in Journalism, being named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll on multiple occasions – highlighting several academic honors.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
KA: My favorite LUWS memory is after we won the semifinal game last year in the Patriot League Tournament. We had just won our last three games and were going to the Patriot League Championship despite all of our struggles throughout the season. It was such an exciting moment and our team felt so unified. 
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
KA: Our senior class has an interesting dynamic because we're very different in a lot of ways and similar in others. I know that they'll always have my back and I'll have theirs.
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
KA: It's a weird feeling going into Senior Day and knowing the number of games in my career are dwindling down. I am so thankful for all that this sport has given me, and am even more thankful for my parents, family, teammates and coaches that made it all possible. 
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
KA: I'll miss being a part of a team of girls that goes through ups and downs together and manages to make it fun along the way. These four years, I've been fortunate enough to have amazing teammates who have taught me a lot about myself and others. 
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
KA: I hope to leave a legacy of being someone who was team first, but had enough individuality to do things in my own way that overall benefited the team. 
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
KA: Post-graduation, I hope to work in the media/entertainment industry. I've made some great connections in the industry through former internships and I'm excited for the future to find my place in it. 
 
#18 Annika Jansa – Defender/Midfielder – Potomac, Md. – Finance
Jansa does it all. Like several other classmates, Jansa played from the very beginning. Before suffering an injury last Saturday, she had played in (and started) all but one game in her career up until that point. Jansa is a four-time Patriot League weekly award winner (Midfielder of the Week twice as a sophomore and Rookie of the Week once as a freshman). As a freshman, she was an anchor on Lehigh's back line that started the season with eight straight shutouts, ending the year with 12 clean sheets and allowing just 12 goals in 18 games. Since, Jansa has switched positions multiple times, primarily between defense and midfield – finding herself as a center back during her senior campaign. As a sophomore, Jansa led the team in points with 12 behind five goals and two assists, including four game-winning goals. She added a goal and three assists as a junior. No matter where she is on the field, the Lehigh coaching staff can count on her. In the classroom, Jansa is equally as strong – posting a 3.81 cumulative GPA in Finance. She has been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll every year, the Dean's List almost every semester and even tallied a perfect 4.0 GPA last fall.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
AJ: The 2018 Patriot League Tournament is probably my favorite memory with LUWS. After a pretty poor start in the Patriot League and a lot of tough moments throughout that season, making it to the Patriot League Championship game was something a lot of people didn't believe we could do. It felt really good to prove them wrong and make it to that final game against BU. 
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AJ: Our class has experienced a lot of really great moments together and also a lot of struggle throughout these past four seasons. We have supported and encouraged each other during these moments and I am really thankful to have had them alongside me through it all. 
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AJ: I remember when I was a freshman and Laura Courtney, a senior at the time, told me how fast these four years go by. I brushed it off at the time but looking back, I realize how right she was. These past four seasons have flown by and I can remember every moment so vividly since I stepped out of the car for preseason my freshman year. It's been such a memorable three and a half years and I want to just enjoy every bit of the time I have left. 
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
AJ: I will miss the feeling after our team wins a big game. The excitement and energy in those moments, when you are celebrating with your best friends, makes all of the struggle well worth it. Those are the times that remind you why being on LUWS is such a fun and special experience.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
AJ: When looking at my career at Lehigh, I hope younger players realize that one's value on LUWS can be completely independent from how many statistics they put up or how many awards they receive. I hope that the success I found on LUWS, while under the radar, encourages future players to gain motivation and confidence from internal rather than external means. 
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
AJ: I will be working as an Investment Banking analyst in the Debt Capital Markets division at Macquarie Capital. 
 
#21 Sidonie Warnecker – Forward – Downingtown, Pa. – Marketing
Warnecker has experienced her fair share of ups and downs in her career, but has come out stronger in the end. As a freshman, she tied for second on the Mountain Hawks with nine points via four goals and an assist. One of her biggest goals came at Holy Cross, scoring the game's only goal to earn Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors. That was one of three game-winning goals in 2016 to lead the team. Warnecker suffered a season-ending injury before her sophomore campaign, but she battled back to contribute as a junior in 2018. She would score another big goal at Holy Cross, this time in the 85th minute to give the Mountain Hawks a 2-1 advantage and send them back to the Patriot League Tournament. She has continued to make her presence felt this year, playing in 12 games with eight starts. In the classroom, Warnecker owns a 3.86 cumulative GPA in Marketing, being named to the Dean's List in all six of her semesters so far while being named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll every year as well.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
SW: My favorite memory with Lehigh women's soccer up until this point was last year when we made it to the Patriot League Finals. Although the final itself was an incredible experience, I think the way that our team got ourselves to that point was the best part. From coming back during in-season games and winning ourselves a spot in the postseason, to ultimately moving forward in the tournament by scoring in the last three seconds of the quarterfinal game, the experience in getting to the final was absolutely amazing.
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
SW: From having completely different personalities to living all over the country, LUWS brought us together and made us a family. The girls in my class have helped me survive the lows of college life and, more importantly, been by my side to experience the highs! They are some of the most intelligent, kind and thoughtful people I have ever met. Even though soccer helped bring us together, now that we are together, we will always remain best friends.
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
SW: After 18 years of playing soccer, I can't believe that I am about to be going into my collegiate Senior Day. From learning to be resilient, hard working and team-focused to gaining my best friends throughout the years, soccer has shaped my life and the person I am today. However, the season is FAR from over, and I will be enjoying every second of the next month doing what I love with my LUWS people.
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
SW: The part I will miss most about Lehigh women's soccer is all of the incredible people I have had the chance to meet over the past four years. All of the different personalities, jokes, and memories we have together as a team is something you don't always have the opportunity to find. I will always hold onto the friendships I have with everyone on this team.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
SW: I hope to leave a legacy of putting everything you have to offer into whatever you decide to do in life – whether that is during college and putting your best effort into school and soccer, or after college and pushing yourself in your future career. If you decide to do something, do it the best of your abilities.
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
SW: I am currently still working on this little "job" thing, but there is still plenty of time to find the one! I hope to use my Marketing and Psychology background to dive into a career in Marketing, Sales, or any field that I am able to work closely with others and be creative.
 
#24 Mary Casey – Defender/Midfielder – Hatfield, Pa. – Biology
Casey has typically been under-the-radar, as someone who does her job well without the accolades. That recently changed, for a few days at least, with her winning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week following Lehigh's 1-0 win over Boston University. Casey scored the game's only goal and was a key contributor in the Mountain Hawks posting a shutout in a rematch of the 2018 Patriot League Championship Game. After playing two games as a freshman, Casey played in 17 then 18 games during her sophomore and junior seasons, respectively. She recorded her first-career point, an assist, in the 2017 regular season finale against Holy Cross. For multiple years, Casey has been an important part of Lehigh's defensive efforts, which have consistently been amongst the best in the Patriot League. In the classroom, Casey owns a 3.86 cumulative GPA in Biology. Also a track and field student-athlete, Casey has been named to the Dean's List every semester, named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll every year and has posted a perfect 4.0 semester. Casey was named to the track and field's Academic All-Patriot League team last February.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point? 
MC: My favorite memory is Senior Night 2018 when we beat Lafayette, 4-1. It was a great environment where we came out with high energy and got to see the seniors beat Laf. That senior class had some of my best friends, so I was so excited that we were able to get a big league win against our rival. Also, Miranda Royds wiping out on the sideline of the game after we scored was something I will never forget. 
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MC: I think we are all very goofy in our own way and bring different talents to the team. They are my best friends, who I know will always be there for me if I need them. I will always remember the hilarious memories we made, on and off the field. Although we have different interests, soccer brought us together and allowed us to develop great friendships. They bring me much-needed laughter and taught me how to not take school too seriously.
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MC: I have mixed emotions. I am grateful for the opportunity I got to spend the last four years playing at Lehigh. I will be sad because this team has taught me so much. Not being able to play on the field with my best friends everyday doesn't seem real yet. I am also excited to see where life takes our senior class and what we have in store for the future. This team has gotten me through tough times and I can't imagine doing it with anyone else. 
 
What will you miss most about Lehigh women's soccer?
MC: I am going to miss being surrounded by such a great group of people every day. I will really miss the time in the locker room we spent goofing off. I will miss playing on the field and being competitive with this team. My teammates are truly my best friends and I can't imagine college without them. The lessons I have learned from my teammates will stick with me forever. I will miss the environment LUWS created to help make me become the best version of myself. 
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
MC: I hope to leave a legacy of passion for the game of soccer, for Lehigh as an institution and LUWS as a team. I want people to remember me as a person who gave 100 percent, day in and day out, to make the team more successful. The competitive nature I brought is something I want the LUWS to bring every day. Most importantly, I want to leave the LUWS team with a legacy of toughness, dedication and hard work. I want my teammates to remember that even when things didn't go my way, I still showed up with a smile and a good attitude. 

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