Leave it to Lake Forest College’s Michelle Greeneway to make Forester history by breaking the 100 goal barrier in both soccer and hockey.
On February 12 at a home game against Marian University (Wisc.), a special ceremony took place in between the first and second period to award the senior forward with First Team Academic All-American honors from her academic and athletic performance in the fall. In order to be nominated for the award, a student-athlete must hold a 3.30 cumulative grade point average throughout his or her career and serve as a significant contributor to the team.
As a two sport student-athlete, students face the dual challenges of meeting expectations on the team as well as those associated with being a college student. When asked to describe the biggest challenge she faces, Greeneway replied, “Time management is a struggle. It can be difficult to get work done on road trips and focus on school work when there is an upcoming game, especially during playoffs.” Greeneway deals with this by maintaining a mindset that focuses on school work even when she is tired.
Later in the game, Greeneway proved that she is not only a hard worker in the classroom, but also on the ice. In the third period, Michelle scored her 100th career goal. Greeneway is the only individual across all three divisions to reach the 100 goal milestone in both soccer and hockey.
Greeneway described the 100th goal as, “It was something I did not realize I was going to achieve. It was special to me, my family, and coaches. Personally, it was my biggest accomplishment.” Greeneway is grateful for this moment as well as advancing to the playoffs, “I feel lucky to be a part of a team that’s so strong.”
Heading into the game Greeneway was aware that she was a goal short of 100, when asked about how she copes with pressure, she said, “I try to stay calm and not panic. My strength is scoring, I get pressure from that. It’s my duty to rally the team and put the puck in the net. I rely on the girls on the team for support as well, I realize that not everything rests on my shoulders.”
With the success achieved in both soccer and hockey, Greeneway indicated that her parents are the most influential people in her life. “My parents are very opposite people who balance me. My dad is the logic and hockey mind giving me advice telling me to keep calm and do whatever I can and my mom is emotional- she loves hockey and enjoys every moment…I do not think they have missed a game in either soccer or hockey in my career.”
This coming weekend, the women’s hockey team is on the hunt to win the NCHA Slaats Cup semifinal series and advance to finals. The Foresters are ranked fifth in the nation and hold the #2 seed in the playoffs. Greeneway looks forward to Friday’s game against St. Norbert and stated, “The ultimate goal is to win and win convincingly.”