This week, senior defender Hannah Miller of the Bloomsburg University women’s soccer team sat down with The Voice sports editor Jake McDonnell to go over several topics, including the 2017 season, balancing athletics with coursework, and how she ended up in Bloomsburg after attending high school in California.

On the season outlook (BU women’s soccer is currently 8-4-2 with a 7-4-2 mark in the conference; three regular season games remain):

     “All three games left are really big. We want to make it into the playoffs. We are currently seeded eighth, but we are trying to make it to fourth so we can host a playoff game, which is something we have not had in more than four years.”

Toughest team challenge of 2017:

     “All the newcomers. We had 12 freshmen come on, so it’s just trying to integrate them with our system and making our system work. We have such a deep bench, so we constantly have subs. It can be hard to transition sometimes.”

Biggest team accomplishment of 2017:

     “One of our biggest accomplishments was Sunday’s 3-0 win over East Stroudsburg University. They were ranked third, and we were the underdog. Two freshmen made the goals and did a lot of work in the game, which was awesome to see.”

Biggest individual accomplishment of 2017:

     “I would like to score a goal. I’ve played defense for the past three years, but I grew up as a forward, so it has been a weird transition. I take all the corner kicks and all the free kicks, so I am always trying to bend it in and score. That’s my hope.”

On balancing athletics with academics:

     “It’s not bad, honestly. I know people complain about it, but if you have it together and know that you have to go to bed early, wake up early, go to class and practice, study, it’s pretty easy. But it can be exhausting.”

On the offseason:

     “In the spring season, we have practices, but they have limited hours due to NCAA regulations, and we only have five games. After our last game, we are given two weeks off, and then we have fitness practicing before winter break. In the spring, we have a week off and then spring season starts. Those have 7 am practices.”

How she ended up in Bloomsburg from El Dorado Hills, Calif.
     *Hannah lived in California for eight years. She has also lived in Virginia, Long Island, and Pennsylvania.

      “A couple different factors went into it. I knew that I wanted to play Division II soccer. I knew that I wanted to come back to the east coast, because my personality blends better here. I grew up in Pennsylvania and came here for holidays. My grandfather lives in Delaware County, and I have uncles that live all around. I wanted to be close to my family. I talked to the coach, and I was offered a scholarship.”

Miller’s 2017 stat line:

13 games started, three assists, seven shots-on-goal.
Career stats: 31 starts (48 games played), 11 assists, 29 shots-on-goal.
Visit buhuskies.com for more information on Hannah and BU athletics.

Fun Fact about Hannah: Her favorite flavor of ice cream is Half-Baked from Ben & Jerry’s.