Solly finishes impressive career

by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor

College careers can go in so many different directions. In the age of NIL, and transfer portals, it’s not often a player stays at one school for all four years. It’s also not very often that they start, and play in every game, in their college career.

As Nyah Solly entered Alfred University she really didn’t know what to expect. Coming from Springville, Solly didn’t have many expectations. She knew if she wanted to make the starting roster she would have to work hard.

Work hard is what she did.

“I honestly didn’t have much expectation when entering Alfred,” stated Solly. “I was scared of a college team and was going into it expecting to work hard to earn a starting spot. While this was the case, I was surprised with my hard work and the results of it.”

Once Solly entered the starting 11 as a freshman she never looked back. During her playing career Solly started, and played in, 73 games for Alfred. That’s a pretty impressive stat. The coaches new come game time that Solly was going to be there to play.

Her game made it hard for the coaching staff to take her out. Her freshman year, Solly played in the midfield, then moved back to center back for the final three years of her college career.

“Taking care of your body in and out of practice and games is so important. Staying hydrated, eating well, and making sure to get good warm ups and cool downs in to prevent injuries,” stated Solly. “For me, I am lucky to say I am not very injury prone, so staying healthy wasn’t too hard as long as I was taking care of my muscles, rolling out when I am sore, getting cupped and scraped to alleviate muscle tension.”

While playing in so many games is impressive, Solly didn’t even how many games she played in. She was locked in every game day and just suited up when the coach called her name. It’s the type of player she is.

She thinks of her team before her self.

“I haven’t put much thought into this until answering this question,” stated Solly. “It’s exciting to look back on my career knowing I got the most out of it that I could and have no regrets or sadness.”

It has been quite the career for Solly. She was a first team All-Empire 8 selection last year for her play on the field. The accolades that came were great, but she also doesn’t play for awards. She plays for her own expectations.

While being recognized for her hard work on the field is great, Solly is only happy with them if she is satisfied with how she plays on the field. If she is happy with her play that’s enough for her.

“I was excited, it felt like my hard work payed off in a way. It’s one thing to feel like you played good but then getting recognition for it solidifies that feeling,” stated Solly. “I don’t play for the accolades received. I play for myself and my own expectations. While receiving praise and awards is nice, I am still happy without them as long as I am satisfied with what I am doing. The adrenaline from satisfying my expectations and receiving a good result is enough for me.”

Being able to play every game her freshman year heeled Solly with the confidence she needed to have an impressive career. She learned a lot about herself during that time. Playing so much allowed her to build her confidence.

She also learned that she needed to give herself some more credit for what she was doing at the collegiate level.

“It built my confidence and allowed me to continue improving. I knew what I was doing had to be good, so it motivated me to keep working hard. Having confidence is so important, it is so easy to get in your head and mess up, having confidence allows you to play to your best ability,” stated Solly. “I learned that I needed to give myself more credit than I did. I think my confidence began to come through as my playing time was increasing and I was seeing success out of my playing ability.”

As her collegiate career comes to and end, Solly will miss the structure of playing for a team. The standard that playing for a team gave her during her time. She will miss being around a team that had excitement every time they stepped out on the field.

“I am going to miss the constant business of being on a team and being held to a standard. This, to me, keeps me motivated and is an outlet. I will miss my team dynamic and the excitement and thrill of stopping goals, scoring goals, winning, and having a fun time,” stated Solly. “I will hopefully continue to play soccer in the summer on a women’s team, that is really all I have planned so far in the realm of soccer.”