We caught up with Maeva Lichtensteiger, a fantastic player who played severa seasons for FC Berlin before heading out to college, who has been a standout player for the Aquinas College Saints women's soccer team in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Standing at 5'8", she has demonstrated versatility and leadership throughout her collegiate career.

Maeva, you have had a stellar career with FC Berlin, and you continued to shine at Aquinas. Your stats have been spectacular, and you have the awards to prove it! Do you think that this has been your best season so far?
I would say this has definitely been my best year of college soccer so far. I think that I’ve come a really long way and that all started before I even got to Aquinas. Through all the ups and downs over the years, a pretty major injury and adjusting to another level of play, I think that I’ve done pretty well. Freshman year I was forced to sit on the bench due to a torn ACL. The following year we got a new head coach who has played a huge role in mine and the teams success. He was someone who continued to pick us all up and truly believed in how good we were and what we were capable of.

Do you find any noticeable differences between US College soccer and the provincial level teams here in Canada, in terms of tactics, physicality, pace?
I do think there are quite a few differences between college soccer in the U.S and the provincial level teams in Canada. I think that American soccer plays a very direct style, it gets pretty physical and aggressive. The game is definitely won in transition moments.

You and your team have won the WHAC conference and now it’s time to go to the nationals. What are you expectations?
Over the course of my time at Aquinas, we’ve had a pretty incredible run. We got a few regular season and tournament championships under our belts as well as making it to nationals every year. This feels like it’s our year. We’ve got a really fantastic group, great team chemistry and I truly believe that we all believe we can go all the way this year. Every morning we show up with one goal in mind; just to work hard and get better each day, the end goal will come but really just trying to be in the moment and taking it all in.

You have one more year of eligibility and you are also graduating soon. What does the future have in store for you? Should I get ready to pay to watch you play, like I told you six years ago?
Because I redshirted my freshmen year due to an injury, I do have another year of eligibility. I am graduating a semester early, so this December of 2024. I look forward to using my final year of eligibility at another school next year, pursuing a Master’s in Exercise Science or Athletic Training. College soccer and these past 4 years is something that I will cherish forever. I feel so grateful and lucky to have gotten the opportunity to go play and compete at this level.

It has definitely been a great 2024 for our former player, and it looks like there even more exciting stuff to come. Maeva has left an unforgettable impression in our club; knowing her, and despite all of her recent accolades, I am sure that her soccer career is just beginning. Where will the future take her? That we don't know, but once thing is certain: she will continue to amaze teammates, coaches, opponents and spectators wherever she goes!

Career stats:

2021: Redshirted due to injury.
2022: Returned to play, participating in 24 games with 14 starts, contributing 8 goals and 3 assists over 1,299 minutes.
2023: Elevated her performance with 10 goals and 9 assists in 22 games (17 starts), totaling 1,264 minutes.
2024: Continued her impressive form with 17 goals and 16 assists in 20 games (19 starts), accumulating 1,439 minutes on the field.

Achievements:

Contributed to the Saints securing the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Regular Season Championships from 2021 to 2024, WHAC Tournament Championships in 2021, 2022, and 2024, and advancing to the National Tournament each year, reaching the Quarterfinals in 2022 and 2023.

Individual Honors:

Named to the United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American in 2024.
WHAC Midfielder of the Year in 2024.
WHAC All-Conference First Team in 2024.
WHAC All-Conference Second Team in 2023.
WHAC Champion of Character in 2023.
WHAC Player of the Week three times across 2023 and 2024.

Notable Performances:

Scored the opening goal and provided an assist in Aquinas' 2-0 victory over No. 14-ranked SCAD-Savannah on August 23, 2024.
Tied the Aquinas College record for most assists in a single game, delivering four assists against Rochester.
Achieved her first career hat trick, earning her the WHAC Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honor in September 2024.

Academic Pursuits:

Maintains a GPA of 3.8, with aspirations to pursue a Master's in Athletic Training or Exercise Science.
Lichtensteiger's technical proficiency, ability to play multiple positions, and leadership qualities have been instrumental in her contributions to Aquinas College's women's soccer program. Her aggressive attacking style, combined with her capacity to perform under pressure, underscores her status as a key player for the Saints.

Sources:
* Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
* Next Level U Sports
* Aquinas Saints
* NAIA - National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics