Hill contributing off score sheet for soccer

Junior Jenna Hill was not a name normally seen in the box score throughout her three-year soccer career at CMU.

Hill has yet to score a point this year and has only one goal and one assist in her career. However, she is usually in the middle of the action, whether CMU is defending or on the attack. It is hard to not hear her as she constantly talks to her entire team.

“My main role is to organize the team,” Hill said. “When I’m in the middle, basically all I’m doing is organizing the backs and the front and making sure we’re all on the same page.”

Hill said she knows her organization of the team has caused a shift in game play from a team that went 12-5-3 last year to 15-3-2 this year.

“One of the biggest differences in why we are doing so well is because we are so organized,” she said, “We’re all on the same page, and it is really important. When everyone knows their jobs, the game just flows a lot better.”

Coach Tom Anagnost said Hill made a choice in the offseason to lead, and the results of her work was obvious.

“She made a decision to lead and to control her attitude,” he said. “She was committed to being a more positive life force on our team, and she is an enormous reason why where we are where we are.”

Anagnost said the decision Hill made shows the younger players that when one makes a commitment to improving, it pays off.

“She is one of the most improved players on our team,” he said. “She is a great example of if you make a decision to be great, you can do it.”

Hill said she is now willing to tell players where they need to be, and the team needs that in a leader.

“I’m willing to talk, willing to keep people accountable out there, keeping people focused and making sure they are doing their jobs,” she said.

Defensive savvy

Hill has played a large role in a defense that has given up 10 goals all season and one goal in Mid-American Conference play.

Anagnost said it is the little things most fans will not notice that Hill does that has helped the defense and goalkeeper Shay Mannino.

Still, he said it is Hill’s communication on the field that makes all the difference during the game.

“On the field, she is arguably the best communicator we have,” he said, “She organizes our team and, normally, the most organized team wins.”