Most normal college athletes come into their freshman season having to wait a year or two to get playing time, but former women’s soccer captain Hannah Lohmeier was not a normal freshman.
Lohmeier started and played her very first game as a freshman. She also started and played in every game she was in, earning 78 starts throughout her career.
Lohmeier almost lost the streak  while fighting through two offseason knee surgeries that could have taken her out of the season. But the injury recurred twice in her career.
“I had my surgeries on the same exact day 2 years in a row. Februrary 26. I’ll never forget that day,” said Lohmeier.
On the field, Lohmeier was a huge influence as she led the team in 15 total points this year and had six game winning goals. She was also a staple for the Vikings in her central mid-field position.
This year, Lohmeier was also voted for the first time onto the NCAA Division III All-Central Region team with fellow teammate Jessa Rizzo.
Throughout her soccer career, Lohemeier was also a strong academic as she earned many academic honors. With a 3.96 GPA, Lohmeier earned four Academic All-Conference honors, two Academic All-American honors (as chosen by CoSIDA), two All-CCIW honors and the Jack Swartz award (from the CCIW).
Lohemeier credited her coaches and professors for her success on and off the soccer field.
“We have the best coaching staff in every sport here. They prioritize academics, and it becomes easy to prioritize something that your coaches prioritize,” said Lohemeier.
Lohemeier also gives credit to her teammates for their help along the way in her four year journey, especially the two seniors that have been with her during all four years: Brianne Frys and Jessa Rizzo.
Frys attributes Lohemeier’s success to her work ethic.
“She is one of the most driven people I know. She has a great work ethic in everything she does. Hannah prioritizes things very well and she knows what she wants to accomplish,” said Frys.
Frys and Lohmeier have had a special relationship over their 4 years, as the two were co-captains their senior year and in the Phi Rho sorority.
Along with that, the pair have also become permanent bus buddies on road games.
“Freshman year there were eight of us so Hannah and I had to share seats on the bus. We would sit together and take a picture every game. This went on even junior and senior year when we weren’t required to share seats,” said Frys.
As for after Augustana, Lohmeier has been applying to medical schools to continue her education in Biochemistry.
Following medical school, Lohmeier said there is a chance that she has a little more soccer left in her.
“I would love to be in the old lady leagues someday. I’m too competitive to let it go forever. But, I will take a little break for now and rest my knee. I would love to see myself come back and maybe even start coaching one day,” said Lohmeier.