The IU women’s soccer team is used to having a veteran-attacking presence leading the offense.
Recent graduates Orianica Velasquez, Lisa Nouanesengsy and Jessie Bujouves all assumed this role for IU as either a junior or senior. However, the Hoosiers have not had an upperclassman guiding the offense this season.
Instead, freshman forward Macy Miller is the player currently heading the Hoosier attack. A former High School All-American Player and 2015 Indiana Soccer Coaches Association High School Player of the Year, Miller has made an impact at IU by playing in all eight of the team’s games this season.
“We are very impressed with her. Macy has been fantastic so far,” IU Coach Amy Berbary said. “She has stepped in and filled a big role for us early on in the season.”
Miller has been a vital part of the IU offense this season. Despite being unable to record a goal in her first eight collegiate matches, Miller has not been shy around the opposing net.
She leads the team with 13 total shots and seven shots on target and has come eerily close to scoring, nailing both the crossbar and the post on multiple occasions for IU this season.
“As a freshman playing, you could be kind of nervous, especially playing with older players,” Miller said. “I think being able to take shots and get crosses off is a good way to help build my own confidence and also help me get used to the players around me so that I’m able to help them out. I try to just focus on getting the opportunities to score and that I’m getting my chances.”
In addition to the offensive threat Miller carries, she has also shown a willingness to come back on defense. Miller’s high work rate has allowed Berbary and the coaching staff to use her in different roles during non-conference play for the Hoosiers.
Miller came off the bench in IU’s first two matches this season against Louisville and Western Michigan before assuming her current spot as a starter in the team’s last six games.
“We call Macy the Tasmanian Devil because she just works and works and works,” Berbary said. “You’re never going to have to argue about the energy and the work rate that she gives.”
The transition from the high school level to the collegiate one has not overwhelmed Miller, as evidenced by her play so far this season. While Miller admits the college game is more fast-paced and carries a higher intensity with it, she enjoys the increased significance placed on the outcome of each match.
“It’s definitely more of a challenge playing at the college level. But it’s also more enjoyable because you’re playing for a college,” Miller said. “You put on the Indiana jersey, and you’re representing 45,000 kids. Not just 5,000 at a high school.”
Playing soccer for IU at Bill Armstrong Stadium is something that runs in the family for Miller. Three of her relatives played for the IU men’s soccer team under former head coach Jerry Yeagley.
That family connection didn’t convince Miller to come to Bloomington, but she recognizes the value of continuing the tradition.
“It’s really cool to be able to say that I’m part of my family’s past, to be able to say that I’m playing on the same field as my uncles.” Miller said.
One of 11 true freshmen on this year’s roster, Miller and her fellow newcomers will need more time to become comfortable playing with one another. But after scoring 10 goals in eight games this season, compared to the 11 goals scored by IU all of last season, it would appear that offensive progress is being made with Miller playing an important role.
“We are still adjusting to each other, but it’s been good around the top of the box on offense so far,” Miller said. “I really think that if we focus and if we can execute in training, we really can go far. I have a lot of confidence in us this season.”
