Emily Orsini, Sports Editor–

For the first time in more than a decade, the Denison women’s soccer team features nine seniors on their roster, giving the team a strong upperclassman presence. 

Senior goalkeeper Molly Noga  sets a high standard for being a leader.  

“I have done my best to check in with my younger teammates at practice every day, but also sometimes do more like getting a coffee with them to see how they are adjusting to everything,” said Noga. 

 “I’ve done my best to be open about the inclusive and supportive environment that Denison women’s soccer is, and try to have my actions backed up every day.”

Noga’s approach reflects a larger theme within the program: the importance of team chemistry. For the Big Red, few values matter more. As seniors graduate and first-years trickle in, team dynamic can change from season to season. To senior defender and team captain Sarah Sollinger, however, it’s only gotten better throughout her years at Denison. “I think every year the team dynamic just gets better,” said Sollinger. “As an underclassman, I had really awesome seniors showing us the way and teaching us what it was like to be a Denison women’s soccer player. [As an upperclassman now], I hope that we continue to pass on the things we learned from the older girls and make it better.” 

Noga and Sollinger also feel being on the team has only made them better individuals off the field.

 “Playing soccer has taught me self- discipline and has helped me be a person that holds myself to a high standard [not only] in the things that I do, but also in the way that I treat other people. That’s one of the best things I could’ve ever asked for [soccer] to teach me,” said Noga. 

   “I think that my time at Denison has taught me how to balance my commitments and show up for the people I care about,” said Sollinger. “Spending four years showing up for your teammates no matter what is happening in your life is a skill that I think can translate to so many parts of life.” 

   Noga and Sollinger have racked up plenty of hardware during their time with the program. In 2024, Sollinger was first-team All-NCAC and the United Soccer Coaches All-Region first team, and Noga earned third-team All-NCAC honors.    

   Sollinger’s accolades are rooted in a mindset that she carries onto the field. “I think that to do well [in games] you need to be confident in who you are. I know that sounds corny, but everyone made it to college sports because of who they are and what they can do…[if you can] lean into that, it will help you succeed,” she said.  

   For student-athletes, separating who they are as a competitor from who they are as a person can be a challenge, especially at a rigorous academic institution like Denison. 

   “Knowing that my identity is neither tied to my academic or athletic performance as a student athlete is one of the biggest hurdles that I still have to work on today. I have grown from it by becoming more confident and remembering who I am as a person each day,” said Noga.    

  Sollinger and Noga are embracing their last fall on The Hill wearing red at Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium. With graduation on the horizon, Noga has started thinking about what she’ll leave behind for the program and her teammates.

   “I hope I leave behind a legacy that this team is full of kind individuals that all work really hard and hold a high standard for the program,” said Noga. 

 The Big Red were 3-2-2 before playing Ohio Northern on Sept. 23 and will play Capital on Sept. 27. NCAC play begins Oct. 4 at Ohio Wesleyan. Senior Day is against Oberlin on Oct. 11.