Fox Chapel grad Lucy Ream ready for 1st season of women's soccer at Lipscomb after transferring from Eastern Kentucky

Athletes are loathe to look ahead on their schedules, preferring to stick to the familiar “one game at a time” mantra. But Lipscomb women’s soccer player Lucy Ream can’t be faulted if she already has Sept. 14 circled on her calendar.

That Thursday evening, the Bison open ASUN play by hosting Eastern Kentucky, where the Fox Chapel grad spent her first two seasons. At EKU, Ream started 36 of the 37 matches in which she appeared, posting four goals and five assists while playing mostly defense.

But despite her playing time and production, Ream decided it was time for a change of scenery.

The transfer puts her in the position of, essentially, having to start over. Unlike many athletes who transfer, however, Ream will have a leg up because she knows her competition and has two years of understanding what it takes to play at the Division I level.

“You kind of have that advantage of knowing what a D-I preseason is or a D-I season and how taxing that is on your body,” she said. “But it’s starting from Square One with the chemistry with the team and getting to know what the coaches want out of you.

“It’s a little like a restart, but it’s kind of an advantage that I have some knowledge in my back pocket.”

Her decision to join Lipscomb was perfect timing for Bison coach Kevin O’Brien. The team had just graduated a couple of key defensive players, and Ream was able to plug right into one of those vacancies.

Even more convenient for O’Brien, he knew exactly what kind of player he was getting.

“I had voted for her to be an all-conference player (in 2022),” said O’Brien, who is beginning his 12th season at the Nashville, Tenn., school. “We felt like she was one of the top players EKU had. Unlike a lot of players where … you’ve got to do your leg work, watch a lot of video, turn over stones, talk to coaches, things like that.

“With Lucy, I already knew she was really good. … It was an easy decision to pursue her.”

Lipscomb certainly was an attractive destination. The Bison have had a considerable amount of success under O’Brien’s watch. They haven’t lost more than two conference matches since 2013, O’Brien’s second season, when they went 3-3-3 in the ASUN.

The program also has made three NCAA Tournament appearances in the past five seasons. Lipscomb missed out in 2022 when, as the third seed in the ASUN Tournament, it was upset by No. 6 Central Arkansas, which won on penalty kicks.

Ream figures to be a big part of O’Brien’s plans in trying to get the Bison back to the NCAAs.

“Here’s a player with experience who you can slot right in and trust her experience,” he said. “She’s quick, and she’s aggressive. She’s some of the things we value as coaches, and I think it allows us to pick up right where we left off. … She was ready to get in a game the minute she stepped on campus.”

Being in a defensive role is something Ream said she has come to embrace over the years. At Fox Chapel and throughout her club career, she said she always was more involved in the offense. She played a little bit of attacking winger while at Eastern Kentucky but probably won’t get that opportunity at Lipscomb.

O’Brien did allow that, depending on the formation he chooses to play, Ream could get some chances to push the ball into the final third of the pitch and, perhaps, get into the box for a crack at the goal.

Failing that, Ream said she is OK with taking on a somewhat less glamorous role.

“I have grown to love (defense),” she said, “and I have learned that it is just as important to save a goal as it is to score a goal. It’s given me a whole new perspective on the game.”

Where Ream might get some chances to score is off corner kicks and other set pieces. Though O’Brien said he, for the most part, knew what he was getting with Ream, he has been pleasantly surprised by her jumping ability.

Despite being only 5-foot-4, Ream has shown a knack for being able to win the ball in the air.

“She is one of the smallest players on our roster, yet, if we’re going to take a corner, there’s a good probability I might put Lucy in the box to try to go win it because she can jump out of the building,” O’Brien said. “She gets up, and her timing is good and she can hang in the air. It’s been pretty impressive, to be honest with you.”

Added Ream: “It’s always been kind of my strength, being able to get up in the air and being able to use my head. I’m not really afraid to use my head. I just kind of get in there. … It’s probably one of my most fun times of a game is getting in on a corner or a free kick.”

Perhaps she will get that chance against Eastern Kentucky.

Ream admitted it will be a little strange going against the players with whom she went through so many matches. She still has friends on the EKU roster.

But, like any athlete, when the game starts, all pleasantries will be put aside.

“I think it’s going to come with its challenges, but it’s also going to be a great opportunity for me to kind of come out swinging,” she said. “I’ll be able to just lean on my teammates that I have here and have their support, which will really help me through that game.

“I don’t know about (any) trash talk. A quick little ‘hi’ or ‘hello’ before the game. But once that first whistle blows, game face is on, just trying to get that win for the team.”

Regardless of that outcome, it’s only one match. The Bison have a long season ahead, and Ream is looking forward to seeing what she and her new team can accomplish.

“I feel very optimistic,” she said. “I am very excited to see what this season has to hold for us.”