Uncommitted out of high school and unknown to collegiate soccer, men’s soccer’s late transfer from Old Dominion (ODU), Willy Miezan, joined Longwood’s roster as a mystery, a wild card.
The redshirt freshman patiently waited a full year before his opportunity arose to step into the world of Division I soccer.
His debut against VMI was full of firsts; Longwood’s first official game of the season saw him score not only his first career goal, but record his first hat trick in the team’s first victory.
“It wasn’t really my plan to redshirt, but everything happens for a reason,” said Miezan.
The 6’0” forward’s strong start immediately impressed the soccer community as he earned Big South Attacking Player of the Week honors and was tied for first nationally in goals per game and points per game.
“I can’t really process it, it’s still hitting me and I’m just trying to keep up,” said Miezan.
Miezan shared the No. 1 spot for over two weeks before University of South Carolina Upstate freshman Gordon Wild pulled ahead in both categories and Miezan dropped to the sole holder of No. 2. He currently remains among the top five offensive players in the nation.
The Lancer continued asserting himself on offense as he tallied at least one goal in four consecutive games, raising the pressure put on him to score each match.
Nevertheless, he approaches each game with the same mentality to “always go hard.”
“I still feel the same way,” said Miezan. “Each game I have one objective and that is to go hard. That’s the way I play.”
His attitude towards soccer has remained consistent since playing for his high school, T. C. Williams, in Alexandria, Virginia.
He played a large role in T.C. Williams earning their first state title in the program’s history on the opposite side of the field—defense. His position switch shut down the opposing team’s most dangerous forward allowing his team to defeat their opponents in both the regional and state championships.
“That’s me,” said Miezan, feeling that this act described his player persona more than the amount of goals he has scored so far.
“I see myself as an athlete first... I think everyone should be able to just play (and) do whatever the team’s asking of you and whatever you want to.
“I’m the type of guy that likes when everyone on the team is doing well. I know I have six goals and one assist, but I enjoy more sharing the ball with my teammates and making sure everyone’s happy instead of just me,” said Miezan.
Despite his success in high school, Miezan graduated without committing to a program. Calling himself a “late bloomer,” Miezan grew confidence after growing three inches his senior year and hoped to find a spot on ODU’s roster.
After attending their summer camp before his freshman year of college, the ODU coach asked him to walk on during the spring. However, once spring arrived, the roster was still full so Miezan would have to wait another year at ODU as a redshirt.
Not wanting to postpone playing soccer any longer, Miezan looked for another school to play for, seeking a place to create his identity.
“I didn’t want to waste any time,” said Miezan.
After meeting the men’s soccer head coach, Jon Atkinson, and researching the exercise science program, Miezan decided Longwood was the place.
As a redshirt freshman, he still has four years of NCAA eligibility to his name, giving him the maximum amount of time to make an impact.
He hopes to build on his early success with attaining the No. 1 spot as a personal goal, but ultimately looks toward winning the Big South Conference as the most important victory. “That’s the primary goal, so anything that comes with it, I’ll take,” said Miezan.
Even with six goals to his name, Miezan had yet to have his first career start before Tuesday’s game against George Mason. However, he welcomed the opportunity to enter the game from the bench and make an impact, accepting his role without frustration.
“That’s not really something I worry about, starting or not starting,” said Miezan prior to his first start. “I like going in and bringing some energy and out of nowhere. They don’t really expect it and I just come in and do my thing.”
As the competition stiffens and conference play nears, Miezan both recognizes the increased difficulty and looks to improve with it.
Each game he said he works to “win everything, win every ball, every tackle (and) just give everything I have and the rest just comes with it.”
Mizen felt that while it is always a personal goal to score, he prefers to make his team happy and do what is required of him.
Miezan tallied three goals in his Division I debut, propelling him forward early in the rankings.
Redshirt freshman Willy Miezan chose beating Navy as his favorite moment in the season thus far.
Miezan shared the nation's No. 1 spot in most goals per game and points per game for a number of games and still remains in the top five.
