Congratulations to Lily Soldan, a senior forward/midfielder from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on being named the Michigan and West/Mid-West Region Player of the Year! She tallied 37 goals and 21 assists in her 2024 season, alongside being named the Michigan Player of the Year, Division I All-State First Team, First Team SEC, MAXFH and NFHCA All-American, MAXFH and NFHCA West/Mid-West Region First Team, and MAXFH Preseason Player to Watch. Ending her 2024 season by winning the Michigan Division I State Championship was the perfect ending to Lily’s incredible four years as a member of the Pioneer field hockey team, which she shared in an interview with us.
Q: How did your journey in field hockey begin? What does this accomplishment mean to you in relation to your time spent involved in the sport?
A: My first field hockey experience was at a local high school camp in 3rd grade. I had just moved to Ann Arbor and was completely new to the sport. I first started playing to make friends, but I ended up loving it.
Q: What do you love most about field hockey?
A: I will always appreciate the friends this sport has given me. The bonds I’ve made with my teammates will last forever.
Q: What were your field hockey goals entering your senior year at Pioneer? Were there any routines, skills, or drills on which you focused over the summer in preparation for the season to work toward achieving those goals?
A: Going into my senior season, I wanted a state championship, nothing less. Over the summer I focused mainly on my shooting and finishing skills so I could execute in the moment.
Q: How does it feel leaving a lasting legacy of 3 straight State Championships and four title appearances in your four years at Pioneer?
A: The Pioneer Field Hockey program has a long history. Our coach, Jane, has been head coach for over 30 years, winning a lot of championships along the way. It’s pretty cool to be part of that.
Q: Name your proudest moment or a significant response to a setback/challenge from the season.
A: My proudest moment was definitely the championship. Not just that we won, but how we won. We were such a close team. Bringing home a championship with a team full of friends was pretty awesome.
Lily plans to continue her field hockey career at Duke University in the fall of 2025!
