Welcome to Meet the Captains, the Women's Soccer Edition. Let's learn more about the 2025 captains: Liz Purcell, Anna Poehlmann, Catherine Miller and Dylan Brown.
 
Liz Purcell – Graduate Student Forward from Philadelphia, Pa.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport?
A: From in-house camps to travel soccer and college soccer, I have been playing soccer since I was two years old. It has been close to 20 years of soccer.
 
Q: What is your best memory playing your sport before Neumann?
A: The best memory of soccer before coming to Neumann was my travel soccer team winning the state championship and then advancing all the way to the regional championships. Traveling all around, including Florida and Canada, was also a huge highlight of my travel career.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be named Captain?
A: Being named Captain was/is a huge honor that I learned to grow into. I can take key points of leading at practices and games into the real world to help with my work experience.
 
Q: What is your major and why?
A: I am getting my master's in Sports Business. I chose this because I want to stay connected to sports, as they have been a huge part of my life.
 
Q: What is your dream job after graduating?
A: My dream job would be working for the NHL, doing gameday events or corporate sponsorships. Fingers crossed, after graduating, I hope to at least start in college athletics, doing sponsorships or something along those lines.
 
Q: What is your advice to the student-athletes just starting their collegiate career?
A: The advice I would give to student-athletes just starting their career would be to go into every practice to work hard and have fun. These are going to be the best years of your life if you allow them to be, and the people you surround yourself with matter.
 
 
Anna Poehlmann – Senior Midfielder from Middletown, Del.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport?
A: 18 years
 
Q: What is your best memory playing your sport before Neumann?
A: Scoring the game winning goal in my state championship game in my junior year of high school in the last two minutes
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be named Captain?
A: It is an honor and privilege to be able to be the person my team looks to be a leader and someone they can go to when needed
 
Q: What is your major and why?
A: My major is marketing, and I chose this because I hope to work in sports social media marketing in the future.
 
Q: What is your dream job after graduating?
A: My dream Job would be to do social media marketing for Sports at the college level then work my way up to professional sports.
 
Q: What is your advice to the student-athletes just starting their collegiate career?
A: Enjoy life while you're living it, soak in the moments, big or small, because they won't last forever. Don't take anything for granted; every opportunity, challenge, and relationship is part of your growth. Work hard, stay focused, and make it count
 
 
Catherine Miller – Senior Forward from Laurel Springs, N.J.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport?
A: I have been playing soccer since as early as I could walk. I grew up around it since my dad was a coach and both of my siblings played. It has just always been a part of my life.
 
Q: What is your best memory playing your sport before Neumann?
A: My best memory playing soccer at Neumann is probably watching each class of freshmen come in and seeing how much they grow throughout the season. You are able to see them come into their own, which is really cool.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be named Captain?
A: It honestly means everything to me. I am honored that my coaches along with my teammates have the trust and respect in me to be a voice on this team.
 
Q: What is your major and why?
A: My major is biology secondary education. I think teaching is such an important profession not only because of the content you're showing but because of the direct impact you are able to make in the students' lives.
 
Q: What is your dream job after graduating?
A: My dream job after graduating is to be in a school district that fits me. Where they give me the freedom to explore other opportunities like the world of special education which is something I'd really like to pursue.
 
Q: What is your advice to the student-athletes just starting their collegiate career?
A: My best advice for a student athlete starting their career is to trust yourself because there's a reason you were chosen to be here. You can never let anyone take that away from you because it is an accomplishment in itself that you made it this far and that is something to be so proud of.
 
 
Dylan Brown – Junior Midfielder from Seaford, Del.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport?
A: I started playing soccer at the age of 4 with my dad as my coach.
 
Q: What is your best memory playing your sport before Neumann?
A: My best memory of my sport before coming to Neumann was playing in multiple championship games in tournaments with my travel team, Shore FC. Two of my teammates from that team, Sierra Lester and Hannah Dang, are now here at Neumann with me.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be named Captain?
A: It means that I'm responsible for advocating for my team and pushing us beyond our limits. Some people see it as just being a team leader, but I believe it's about being accountable for supporting all my teammates and helping them remember why they love playing this sport.
 
Q: What is your major and why?
A: My major is Athletic Training. I always knew I didn't want a normal office job, and after dealing with injuries in high school and working with trainers, I was inspired to become one myself. I want to help others because I know how frustrating and mentally challenging it can be to deal with an injury, whether it's short or long term. I'm also considering a minor in Strength and Conditioning because it would allow me to help people of all ages and body types reach their goals. A personal trainer helped me get to the collegiate level, and I want to do the same for others.
 
Q: What is your dream job after graduating?
A: My dream job after graduating is to become an athletic trainer for a professional or Division I college team, and if I follow through with the minor, I would love to create my own personal training business to help athletes and people of all ages reach their goals.
 
Q: What is your advice to the student-athletes just starting their collegiate career?
A: My advice would be to work on your time management and always stay in touch with your professors. Use all the resources available to you—tutors, writing centers, and more. The more organized and disciplined you are with your time, the easier things will become. Don't procrastinate and remember that you're a student before an athlete. Always make sure you put your studies first and communicate with your coach if you need help. Last but not least HAVE FUN!!