In-depth with our sports seniors

When Lisa Merrill looks back on her childhood, she looks towards her brother and her parents as her coaches in disguise. They influenced her to get active in sports in her home town of East Windsor, New Jersey.

"I was a big tomboy as a kid," Merrill said. "I would play baseball and football with my brother and his friends."

She started playing sports around the age of six in local recreation leagues. It was really important to her parents that she got out and met some of the other kids in her town.

Merrill enjoyed playing softball and soccer the most as a child and excelled in both. Some of her favorite memories are of soccer and her annual trips for a tournament.

"For soccer, we had our annual trip to Cape May, NJ for a tournament," Merrill said. "It was always a good tournament and we'd go to the beach and boardwalk after in-between games. It was just a really enjoyable time."

In high school, Merrill continued to play softball and soccer, but soccer was her main sport.

"Yeah, soccer is my favorite," Merrill exclaimed. "There's just so much action going on. You're constantly moving and something is always happening, which makes it so much fun."

She was a four-year varsity soccer player for her high school team and was named captain her senior year of play. Merrill believes being named captain was one of her greatest accomplishments.

Following her senior year, Lisa took a trip up to North Adams to take a look at MCLA. After meeting the team and seeing the atmosphere the school had to offer, she decided upon furthering her soccer skills here at the school.

"The girls on the team made my decision to come here. When I came up for my visit and met with the team, I saw that they were just a close knit group, which really appealed to me," Merrill explained.

Not only did Merrill enjoy her time on the soccer field, she came away with a few lessons learned.

"I've learned a lot playing soccer here," Lisa stated. "There are many things I will take with me. I've learned about being a leader, working in a group, and time management."

When Merrill came to MCLA, the soccer team had been struggling and had trouble competing in the conference. The team did not win a conference game in Merrill's first two years here. Her first conference win came her junior year, which she describes as "amazing."

"Having our first conference win in my time here was a big deal," Merrill said. "It was my junior year and we were playing away at Westfield and we were tied 0-0 until the wee minutes of the game. Taylor and Dani had a great combo for the most amazing goal that led us to win the game. The whole team rushed the field at the end of the game."

Along with the good times also comes the bad. In Merrill's final game of her career, it ended in an overtime game that they needed to win to make it to the conference tournament.

"Our last game was a hard game," Merrill said. "It determined whether or not we made it to playoffs, so a lot was riding on it. It was a very sad game. I mean, we lost in overtime and it was just so hard to be so close and not get the job done. It was disappointing because that was it. It was the end and there would be no next year."

Even with the heartbreaking ending to her college career, Merrill is very thankful to her coaches and teammates for all that they have done for her. They made it an unforgettable career that she will soon not forget.

"I'm so thankful to everyone on the team and both Coach Raber and Coach Holly for the amazing season we had this year. It really has been a memorable one for me," Merrill said.

As for her soccer career outside of college, she plays in a local women's adult league near her home in the summer.

Before Merrill leaves to pursue her master's in athletic training, she has a little advice for any incoming freshmen that are having any doubts about playing the game she loves so much.

"As Coach Raber will tell you, I probably didn't speak more than two words my freshmen season," Merrill said. "I was scared by all the changes of college, and a new team, but staying with it was probably the best thing I've ever done. These girls have become my family."