Freshman Ellen Lundy has already recorded big accomplishments and made several memories during her first season on the Lady Bisons soccer team.
Lundy finished the regular season as the Atlantic Sun co-leader in points with 31.
The freshman standout scored 14 goals overall, setting a Lipscomb record for most goals in a season. She was also recently ranked number 68 on Top Drawer Soccer’s top 100 freshman list.
And, this past weekend, she had a major role in helping the Lady Bison reach their first appearance in the conference tournament in school history.
Lundy hails from Rogers, Ark. She says her decision to come to Lipscomb was an easy one.
“When I came on my visit, I loved the culture and community of the school,” Lundy said. “Then, I met the girls and coaches, who were so awesome. It was just encouraging and easy.”
Entering the biggest stage of her career yet, Lundy wanted to prove she belonged at the collegiate level.
“I didn’t know what to expect coming in, but I just wanted to prove I could play at the Division I level and accomplish my goal of helping contribute to the team anyway I could. I feel like I did that,” Lundy said.
One of Lundy’s favorite moments of the season was the Lady Bison big 2-1 win over Mercer, who is the defending A-Sun champion. Lundy scored both goals with the game-winner coming in the 83rd minute.
“Looking back, when we beat Mercer was a huge win for us that kick started our season and gave us energy and hope that we could make the tournament,” Lundy said.
Lundy said her favorite moment of the season was last Sunday’s win over USC Upstate that earned this Lady Bisons team a place in school history.
“It’s really cool to be able to say I was a freshman when we made the tournament for the first time, but it’s also awesome for the seniors and upperclassmen who have worked so hard and to help our program make the next step,” Lundy said.
Lundy’s says her expectations are high for the program’s first conference tournament appearance. The Lady Bison will travel to Kennesaw State on Saturday to take on the Owls in the tournament quarterfinals.
“Obviously, we expect to win and do our best but finishing our season strong and finishing the way we deserve to finish because we have worked so hard,” Lundy said.
Despite receiving plenty of acclaim in her first year, Lundy gives all the credit to her teammates for her success.
“I wouldn’t have any success without my teammates because they give me good, constructive criticism, and we feed off each other,” Lundy said.
Lundy says she expects to improve in the off-season by getting stronger and for the team to just work harder than this season. She hopes to embrace the next three years of soccer while she has the chance.
“I’ve grown up playing soccer, so I don’t know what I’m going to do after college,” Lundy said. “I couldn’t imagine not playing soccer.”
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics.