Ryan (on right) stands with her new soccer teammates, Stella Jones and Margo Pritchard, in uniform at the Naval Academy. Photo courtesy of Sophia Ryan.

From Stewart Field to the Naval Academy, Sophia Ryan’s soccer journey is just beginning. After playing four years of varsity soccer, she’s searching for new challenges, reflecting on her time as a Solon athlete and creating future plans that include many wins.

Q: As you approach the end of your senior season, what are some of the most significant memories and lessons you’ll take away from your time on the varsity soccer team?

A: Some of my most significant lessons is to be comfortable being uncomfortable and just never take anything for granted because you’re only with these people for four years, so just enjoy all the time you have with them.

Q: What emotions are you feeling as your high school soccer career is ending and your collegiate career is just beginning?

A: It’s bittersweet. These past four years were fun, but I think I’m excited to start a new part of my journey, so I’m excited for what’s to come.

Q: Can you describe a moment or game that really stands out to you and why?

A: Two years ago, our district finals against Hudson. We won 2-1, and it was just really an exciting and intense game.

Q: How has playing soccer in high school prepared you for challenges and expectations of playing at the collegiate level?

A: Playing in high school has prepared me because it showed me a different environment because playing in high school is very different from club [soccer] which is like playing with different types of people and players.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about playing soccer at the Naval Academy?

A: I’m most excited to play with some of the new people I’ve met through the recruiting process, so I’m excited to meet all of them and just play with some new faces.

Q: How do you see your soccer career aligning with your future plans and aspirations?

A: My soccer career aligns with my future service and aspirations because it’ll teach me a lot of the intangible things that you learn from sports. I think it teaches you how to respect everyone and how to work well in teams. So I think that’ll help me in the future.

Q: What advice would you give to younger players who hope to play varsity soccer and potentially play the sport in college?

A: Don’t worry about what other people think and just control yourself and work hard and practice a lot in the off season and even during the season.

Q: How do you balance being a student-athlete on top of other personal commitments?

A: I balance being a student -athlete by just planning things in advance and getting all the easy work done and setting aside time for everything.

Q: Looking back, what impact have your coaches and teammates had on your development as a person and player?

A: My coaches and teammates have impacted my development because they push me to my best potential and always uplift me and tell me if I’m doing anything wrong and tell me what to do better. My teammates and I workout together and we all share the same common goals, so we like to collaborate our ideas.

Q: How do you plan to prepare physically and mentally for the transition to collegiate soccer?

A: I’ve already started preparing, but I think just continuing on like my workout plan and just challenging myself to the next level.

As Ryan will soon take off her cleats for the last time as a varsity soccer player, she’s not closing a chapter, but eagerly starting a new one at the Naval Academy. With a head full of new goals and a heart full of memories, she’s set to make a difference– one game at a time.