Freitas lifts Spring Arbor women's soccer to national title – The Daily Telegram

Six months ago, Madalyn Freitas was graduating from Clinton and earned her third Lenawee County Girls Soccer Player of the Year honor.
Today, she’s a national champion after scoring the lone goal in the NAIA women’s soccer national title game as Spring Arbor defeated Marian, 1-0.
“It’s crazy,” Freitas said. “I miss playing for Clinton, it was fun, but when I got to Spring Arbor it was all new soccer. It was a new team and a new game. It was crazy that we won the title.”
Freitas found the back of the net early in the game.
Ariana Stoltzfus controlled the ball and dribbled up the left side of the pitch. She beat her defender and Freitas made a run toward the net.
“There was no one running to the box so I got down there and she crossed the ball and found my head on it,” Freitas said. “I didn’t think it would go in. I thought the keeper got it or it went high. It was shocking when I realized it went in.”
The goal came in the nine-minute mark and stood for the final 80 minutes and some change.
“I knew an early goal would be beneficial,” Freitas said. “I felt like we could’ve got more. I was surprised it was the only goal. It was unreal and it’s still trying to sink in. We had to hold that lead for 80 minutes, it was such a great victory because we really fought to keep that lead.”
While in high school Freitas netted 195 goals in a season with Tecumseh and two at Clinton, the most in Lenawee County history by a wide margin and fifth all-time in MHSAA history, she might have been one of the more unlikely athletes to score for the Cougars.
It was only Freitas’ fifth goal of the season and her first since Oct. 12.
She played in every game this season for SAU, but only started in six.
“I liked coming off the bench,” she said. “I loved playing for a team that was full of First Team All-Americans. It was nice to have older leaders who are crazy good and I can look up to them. I was proud just getting off of the bench.”
The way the MHSAA and college seasons line up, there is no offseason for a freshman like Freitas.
She faced the challenge all freshman face in adjustment to life in college while also trying to catch up to speed with her new team, especially one who would go on to be the best in the nation.
“College level is way quicker,” Freitas said. “You’ve got to make decisions quicker. I struggled with college schooling trying to get used to soccer at the same time. It was hard to adjust, but by the tournament I was settled in and that helped me mentally.”
It was once Freitas and the Cougars got to Orange Beach Alabama for the quarterfinals she truly believed this team really was a national title contender.
“Beginning of the season, our coach was saying we were special and could make a run at nationals,” Fretias said. “I was kind of like, yeah sure. Then as the season went on and I saw the talent of the team it was realistic. Once we got to Alabama, it hit that I know we were better than these teams.”
Freitas and her teammates were greeted in Alabama by a large outpouring of support from fans who made the journey south to watch the Cougars play for the title.
“The community was really there for us,” Freitas said. “A lot of kids, friends and family made the trip down there and the fans were outstanding. It was nice playing for a team where so many people really care for the program.”
Now, after playing a full college and high school season from March to December, Freitas will have a break from soccer.
Although, after winning the title, she’s already excited to see what the team can do in her sophomore season.
“I’m really excited for next year,” she said. “We are losing a lot of seniors, but the girls we have are still talented. I’m excited to no longer be a freshman.”

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