Hiland High School soccer star Yoder commits to EMU
Hiland soccer player Bryn Yoder, flanked by her parents Eric and Karina, signs her letter of intent to play soccer next season at Eastern Mennonite University.
Bryn Yoder has excelled on the pitch as one of Hiland High School’s girls soccer stars the past several years.
Now she hopes to do the same at Eastern Mennonite University next fall.
On Tuesday, May 6 at the Reese Center at the high school, Yoder signed her letter of intent to play at EMU, as family and friends celebrated her achievement with her.
“It’s a big deal. It’s a big deal for anyone to go on to play at college,” Hiland girls soccer head coach Conner Lee said during the celebration, noting only 7% of high school players go on to play at that level.
More importantly, he said he couldn’t think of a better person to go on to that level representing the community, Hiland High School and the Lady Hawks’ soccer program.
“She’s a great leader and great player, a great teammate, and an even better person off the field,” Lee said. “I’m proud of her for taking this next step and hopefully inspiring some other players to do the same.”
Lee said seeing his players succeed both on and off the field is meaningful to any coach, and he said Yoder’s success in every area of her life has been inspiring to him and to everyone who knows her.
“She’ll be successful at whatever she does, both on and off the field,” Lee said.
Over Lee’s seven years of coaching, he said he believes he has only had three or four players move on to compete at the next level, so having this moment for others to witness is important.
He said Yoder’s hardworking dedication and her honesty are traits that will help her in every way possible in college.
“She has a level of maturity you don’t often see in high school,” Lee said. “She’s vocal, responsible and a good leader.”
He said even her nickname given to her by her teammates, “Mom,” signifies the type of maturity and leadership she possesses.
For Yoder, this moment of commitment is significant.
“This means a lot,” Yoder said. “I’ve been playing soccer since kindergarten, and it’s always been a part of my life. Doing it in college is going to be challenging, but I’m excited to continue what I’m doing.”
Yoder said her commitment to EMU stemmed from her parents both being from there and her comfort level being so complete with the area, team and coaching staff.
She said her passion for the game came at an early age, and she said building relationships and friendships along the way has been every bit as important as developing her skills into a player, one Lee said was a dominant defender for the Lady Hawks.
“That’s really what makes it enjoyable,” said Yoder, who noted she has enjoyed watching the U.S. women’s team and learning from her brother Elliott growing up.
Yoder intends on majoring in nursing at EMU.