On Feb. 2, 2022, junior Finley Lavin announced her verbal commitment to play Division 1 soccer at the University of Memphis. , Lavin says that it “feels really nice. It’s a lot of  stress that just got released.”

     According to memphis.edu, University of Memphis is a public research university in Memphis, Tennessee, founded in 1922, and has an enrollment around 22,000. 

     As a junior, Lavin says, “committing is definitely a risk that you take, but in the end it’s the right decision for recruiting. Spots get taken really fast. I mean, at U of M they already have two other commits at the same time as me and I think they’re taking three more. I would just say that it’s good to know that I have a spot already.”

       Lavin has been playing soccer her whole life beginning with rec ball in Jarrettsville. From there she went to the Northern Elite Soccer Club, playing there for three years. She competed on  STARS at the Arena Club, then went on to play at Pipeline for the boys team. She now plays for the Pipeline girls team.

     Lavin says, “I’ve learned a lot from my coaches. I think that part of it is work ethic and knowing that you can’t give up, but at the same time having confidence. I used to have no confidence, even beginning this year. But each of my coaches has helped me learn more, grow, and become a smarter player.”

     After her parents played soccer and put her sisters into soccer, Lavin followed in their footsteps. She says, “I think I stayed with it because it was a place that I always enjoyed. And I think it’s still that place for me. It’s my place to escape everything, which is just really important for me.”

     Though soccer is a major part of her life, Lavin says she is also going to Memphis for her schooling. Hoping to become a physical therapist or health scientist, Lavin says, “I would say studying is just as if not more important than soccer because soccer can end anytime with one injury. Picking a school with good academics was on the top of my list when I was deciding.” 

     When talking about her goal, Lavin said that playing D1 soccer was important. “With the amount I’ve traveled and how much time I’ve put in, D1 was my goal. And I just didn’t want to not do that. I would like to play in Europe or just play professionally, but that’s honestly just the dream.”