Making the transition

by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor

Photos: Wyoming Athletics

Transition is never easy.

It takes a special person to change positions for their team, even though they know it won’t be easy. Not everyone in that position would want to change, they would want to play the position they were recruited for.

It would have been easy for Wyoming junior soccer player Lily Brongo to resist change when she stepped on campus at Wyoming three years ago. The Spencerport, New York native was a solid midfielder during her time in high school, and with her club team, the Western New York Flash.

When she got to college, however, things were going to be different. Brongo went from the midfield to defense. A change that took a little getting used to.

“Early on it was a little difficult, but I also think it helped me understand the game more. The nice thing about moving around on the field is you understand what it takes in each position and how people can benefit from movement and support,” stated Brongo. “The biggest difference is field awareness and your main role. In the midfield your goal is to control the game and be within the attack, on defense, those moments become less common. I enjoy the movement of positions; it’s refreshing sometimes and makes me appreciate certain positions even more”

Early on Brongo had her struggles. But, as she started to get comfortable, Brongo realized she’s capable of much more. The change has allowed her to see the game from different angels on the field.

Being able to play multiple positions has also allowed her to gain more confidence in her game on and off the field.

“I think the biggest take away from this transition is that I am capable of more than I think. Being able to play multiple positions allows me to see the game from different aspects as well as help those I am playing with,” stated Brongo. “Having this experience also gives me a little more confidence in myself knowing that my coaches trust me to play in different areas of the field.”

Confidence is something Brongo gained early on in her career. While most freshman are looking to find their way during their first year, Brongo was getting her feet wet. She appeared in 19 games, starting five.

Being able to get into so many games during her freshman campaign helped her gain the confidence she needed.

“I was very fortunate to be involved in multiple games during my freshman season. It helped me so much because I had the chance to get comfortable in a very different environment. Coming into collegiate soccer you always talk about how different the physicality and speed of play is compared to club and high school,” stated Brongo. “But honestly nothing can prepare you for it, it’s kind of just something you must experience and get used to. Playing in games my freshman year helped get me used to it and helped me feel more comfortable in bigger games/situations.”

Getting into games also allowed Brongo to see things she might need to work on. It wasn’t what you might expect either. It was more about getting confidence when she would step on the pitch, and just being more comfortable.

Getting back to the things she knows how to do. As a freshman, Brongo was always afraid to make mistakes, which is normal. Being able to make a mistake, and learn from it, is something that Brongo has been able to learn from - and apply to her game now.

“I knew I needed to work on being confident as well as comfortable when playing. Even though these aren’t exactly soccer things, they play a major role in my game,” stated Brongo. “My freshman year I was so scared to make mistakes and mess up on the field that it really held me back from doing more than I did. It takes time to get comfortable and the best way I can explain how to get through it is to just experience the hard moments and keep practicing.”

Brongo has used her experience as a midfield on the defensive side. While playing in the back, Brongo can help the midfielders get into position, because she played at the positions she is used to always making the run forward, so running back isn’t a big thing.


She also can think like a midfielder when they come attack the defense. Sometimes, Brongo is one step ahead of the play - and making sure she is in the right position.

“I think to some extent there is definitely an advantage. I think positioning wise I can help the midfielders in front of me by talking with them as to where they should be to help me and the back line,” stated Brongo. “Another aspect is that I am more used to going forward and making the run back, so it has helped me be more progressive on the field while maintaining the needed structure.”

It’s kind of funny that Brongo would score her first goal as a defender. All those years playing as a midfielder, and in the box, Brongo would get the ball and let it rip.

So, when the ball came to her at the 18, Brongo had the instincts to just let the shot go. It wasn’t the perfect shot. In fact it caught the keeper off guard. But, a goal is a goal.

“This is more of a funny moment than a success moment. I didn’t think my shot went in, it was not a good shot in any way I really just think I caught the goalie off guard, and it worked out to my benefit,” stated Brongo. “It was a normal play where I had picked off a ball, but we were so close to the 18 I figured well I don’t shoot so lets try it. I definitely didn’t expect anything like that to happen when I was thinking about the game before hand, but I was extremely excited that I managed to help my team.”

Coming from Spencerport, Laramie, Wyoming wasn’t really on the radar. Brongo thought she was going to stay closer to home, and play for one of the local colleges. But a trip to Laramie changed all that.

Trying to put into words how great the school, and city is, is tough. When she was able to visit the campus, everything just felt right. Now, Wyoming is like a home away from home for Brongo.

“It’s really hard to give a true description of Laramie without doing it a disservice. During the recruiting process I spent a lot of time looking at schools closer to home, I never expected to end up out here honestly. It wasn’t even on my radar until I received a call and took an unofficial visit here. Once I got to campus and into town something just felt right,” stated Brongo. “The community here is really what makes the school. Theres so much support around athletics that you don’t even realize until someone random tells you that you had a good game the other night or someone in class recognizes you from athletics. It truly is amazing. As far as I am from home, Laramie and everyone here has made me feel so accepted and supported. Laramie and Wyoming itself has become my home away from home.”

Also, playing in the Mountain West is another draw. Brongo grew up watching the Pac12, ACC, BIG10 and so on. But, the Mountain West is a conference that has some very good soccer being played night in and night out.

There is no reason Wyoming, and the other schools, can’t compete with the bigger schools and pull those upsets and get into the NCAA Tournament.

“I don’t think the Mountain West gets enough credit truthfully. I grew up watching the big conferences, the ACC and the SEC, the PAC 12 and the BIG 10, all of them are amazing and truly produce some of the greatest athletes our society has known, but there isn’t enough emphasis on the smaller conferences,” stated Brongo. “We are all aware that the Mountain West isn’t the biggest conference with the most money or most advertising, but we do know that we can hold our own and make every game worth watching. Anything is possible in the Mountain West, that’s what makes it so great. You could have the top teams losing to the bottom of the table. Or you can have back and forth games and are gritty and scrappy for a full 90 minutes. There is never an expectation that cant be shattered. It makes playing at Wyoming and in this conference so worth it, because every game is up for grabs. Playing at Wyoming has been one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had, its something that I wouldn’t trade for the world.”