Ava LeMay: From Mifflinburg to Division I
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | September 11, 2026 | Photo courtesy Team Photo
Sportzwire District 4 Spotlight Athlete is turning a lifelong love of soccer into a bright future at Loyola University Maryland
At 3 years old, Ava LeMay was already chasing a soccer ball.
More than a decade later, that little girl who fell in love with the game is now a Division I commit, a club captain, an honors student and one of the newest members of Loyola University Maryland’s 2028 recruiting class.
And LeMay is just getting started.
The Mifflinburg junior recently made her college decision official, choosing Loyola after a recruiting process that included interest from several Division I programs, including Duquesne, Louisville, Maryland, Pitt and Syracuse.
For LeMay, however, the choice became clear when she found a place that checked all the boxes — on the field, in the classroom and on campus.
“It was perfect,” LeMay said.
That feeling came from everything Loyola had to offer.
The beautiful campus immediately caught her attention, but academics were just as important. LeMay plans to major in forensic science, and Loyola stood out as one of her strongest academic options.
Then came the soccer side.
She connected with the coaching staff, enjoyed the team and found a strong personal connection with Coach Joe.
“Coach Joe was very personable,” LeMay said. “I fell in love with the team and everything about it.”
The result was a commitment to Loyola — and a full-ride offer based on both her athletic and academic accomplishments.
She also made a little history along the way, becoming the first commit in Loyola’s 2028 recruiting class.
Soccer Has Always Been Home
While many athletes discover their sport as they get older, soccer has been part of LeMay’s life for as long as she can remember.
She started playing at just 3 years old.
There was a brief detour into gymnastics when she was around 10, but soccer remained her true passion.
“I’ve always been a really competitive person,” LeMay said.
That competitive personality helped fuel her love for the game, but it wasn't the only reason she stayed with it for so long.
LeMay loves the teamwork and communication that soccer requires. She also appreciates the lessons that extend beyond the field.
“Soccer teaches you things outside of the classroom,” she said.
Those lessons have become especially important as her career has progressed from youth soccer to high school and now to the elite club level.
LeMay played varsity soccer at Mifflinburg during her freshman and sophomore seasons. As a sophomore, she earned Second Team All-Conference honors, adding another accomplishment to an already impressive résumé.
But as the college recruiting process became more serious, LeMay made the decision to focus solely on club soccer.
It wasn't an easy decision to step away from high school competition, but it was a decision based on her future.
“I wanted to focus on being ready for my college career and not risk injury,” she said.
Taking Her Game to the Next Level
Today, LeMay plays for the Lancaster Inferno, where she competes with the club's USL Academy team and also has the opportunity to play with the USLW women's semi-professional team.
Her schedule is anything but easy.
The club season runs from approximately mid-October through July, with weekends filled with travel, showcases and high-level competition.
For LeMay, those showcases are about more than just playing games. They are opportunities to compete against top talent, continue improving and get in front of college coaches.
Now that her college decision has been made, she can attack those opportunities with a little less recruiting pressure and a lot more confidence.
She also brings leadership to the Inferno, serving as one of the team's co-captains.
That role is a natural fit for someone who understands that being a good teammate is about much more than what happens when the referee blows the whistle.
A Coach Who Has Made a Difference
Every athlete has people who help shape their journey, and for LeMay, one of the biggest influences has been Lancaster Inferno coach Wendell Hannaford.
LeMay credits Hannaford with helping her through the many different aspects of becoming a college athlete.
“He’s really helped throughout these past couple of years,” she said.
That support has extended from the college recruiting process to the mental side of the game and everything in between.
“He gives a lot of individual attention to each and every person,” LeMay said.
That kind of mentorship has helped LeMay grow not only as a soccer player, but also as a person and leader.
Making an Impact Beyond the Field
For all the time LeMay spends training, traveling and competing, soccer is only one part of her story.
Academically, she is a member of the National Honor Society, continuing to show that her ambitions extend well beyond athletics.
She is also committed to giving back.
Through the Lancaster Inferno, LeMay has participated in Toys for Tots, working alongside her teammates to help make a difference in the community.
Through Mifflinburg's RISE Program, she has participated in Think Big cancer fundraising and philanthropy efforts, helping raise money and awareness while learning about ways young people can create positive change in their communities.
It's another example of the balance LeMay has worked to create between athletics, academics, leadership and service.
The Next Chapter
Although LeMay still has time left at Mifflinburg, her eyes are already on the next challenge.
She plans to graduate early, allowing her to get a head start on her college career. She is expected to begin with Loyola during the winter and will have the opportunity to compete with the team during the spring season.
For an athlete who has spent nearly her entire life playing soccer, the opportunity to compete at the Division I level is the realization of a dream.
But don't expect LeMay to simply be satisfied with reaching the next level.
The same competitive fire that had her chasing a soccer ball at age 3 is still there.
It's what pushed her from youth soccer to high school soccer, from high school to elite club competition, and now from Mifflinburg to Division I.
The destination is Loyola.
The major is forensic science.
The future is wide open.
And for Ava LeMay, the best part may be that the journey is just beginning.
Ava LeMay
School: Mifflinburg Area High School
Grade: 11th
Sport: Soccer
Club: Lancaster Inferno
College Commitment: Loyola University Maryland (Division I)
Intended Major: Forensic Science
Honors: National Honor Society; Second Team All-Conference (10th grade)
Club Leadership: Co-Captain
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