Massapequa Soccer Player Named One Of Best In Country

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Massapequa High School Class of 2022 graduate Lia Howard was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for girls soccer for New York in the 2021-22 school year. Lia was a midfielder and forward for the Chiefs, which won Nassau County, Long Island and New York State titles during her three years on the varsity squad.

Lia was 4 when she started playing with the Massapequa Soccer Club and quickly developed a love for the sport. She joined the soccer team in seventh grade at Berner Middle School and, after a two-year hiatus because of commitments with her travel program, rejoined the Chiefs as a sophomore.

While a 10th grader, the Massapequa High School team won the county and Long Island championships. Following an undefeated season and a trip to the county finals as a junior, Lia and her teammates put together another undefeated season this past year, culminating with a state championship. She had 16 goals and 29 assists during the season.

“It feels unreal to receive this award; I’m so honored,” Lia said. “I love the competitiveness of soccer. I think it’s so fun, and it is one of the best feelings in the world to step on the field and know you’re surrounded by great people.”

Lia was an All-Class athlete as a sophomore, earned All-County and All-State honors as a junior, and was an All-County, All-State and All-American athlete during her senior season, in addition to being named Nassau County Player of the Year.

In addition to soccer, she volunteered at a local animal shelter, was a member of the school’s Best Buddies Club and worked with a youth indoor soccer program.

She credits her success to the support of her parents, coaches and teammates, especially co-captains Mia Baldinger, Jess Lynskey and Gianna Savella. The team is led by head coach Bruce Stegner. Lia also is grateful to one of her earliest soccer coaches, Eric Schmidt, who taught her the fundamentals of soccer.

In the fall, she will be attending college at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has committed to join the soccer team and plans to major in education with a minor in communications.

Lia is the fifth girls soccer player from Massapequa High School to earn the Gatorade Player of the Year honors for New York State. Howard will have the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national youth sports organization, and she is a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award.