First-Year Zoe Hevey Helps Propel Loyola Women’s Soccer

In only 12 games, first-year midfielder Zoe Hevey has already made her mark on Loyola’s women’s soccer team, with her coach and teammates saying she brings both a bubbly personality and competitive spirit to the pitch. 

Hevey has started in all 12 games so far and has played for a combined total of 875 minutes, with three goals and four assists, stats mirroring those of the team’s veteran players such as Amanda Cassidy, Alaina Abel, Taylor Harrison and Olivia Knab. 

Hevey — originally from Pewaukee, Wisconsin — first began playing soccer at 3 years old on a co-ed team. She said soccer’s competitive nature and support from her family made her enjoy the sport early on.

Hevey said she never considered playing at the collegiate level until seventh grade when she joined the club soccer team SC Wave in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Playing collegiately was the goal of many of the girls she was playing with, which led her to consider this as a possibility for herself.

“I just saw all the girls around me improving their game and going to the college level, so I took the opportunity myself, and Loyola was kind enough to recruit me,” Hevey said.

As head coach Barry Bimbi was compiling this year’s first-year class, he said he needed players who could come in and replace graduates and starters the team relied on heavily last year. 

“When you see Zoe play, she’s just a player that we liked from day one,” Bimbi said. “She just does things a little bit differently, like a robotic soccer player, she can take people off the dribble. She’s very comfortable off the dribble, where a lot of players are a little timid to go off the dribble, so we knew it would give teams a different look.”

Outside of soccer, Hevey chose Loyola because of Bimbi’s support of her intended nursing major. Hevey said the soccer team’s reputation for prioritizing academics along with athletics is another reason she committed to Loyola. 

She said the team’s shared motivation to successfully balance schoolwork with their commitment to the team has made it easier for her own balance. In addition to Loyola’s academic programs, Hevey said the never-ending entertainment to be found in a big city just a few hours away from home was a major draw for her. 

Hevey’s breakout season started almost immediately when she scored her first collegiate goal in her first game as a Rambler against the University of Illinois Aug. 17 in the 85th minute. 

“It was super awesome,” Hevey said. “When it happened, I actually didn’t believe it. I was like, ‘Did that just go in?’ It kinda felt like an initiation, like I belong here.”

Bimbi said Hevey has been becoming a more complete and effective player.

“The goals are gonna come at a higher rate, I believe,” Bimbi said. “Here, in the next couple of weeks, the assist rate’s gonna go up, because she is learning, and she is creating a ton of chances, not only for herself but for her teammates in the games.” 

Hevey’s second goal of the season would come during a home game against Western Illinois University Aug. 31, which the Ramblers won 1-0.

Despite earning a starting spot in the first regular season game, Bimbi said Hevey hasn’t stopped working towards improving her game. 

“She works really hard in practice every day, I don’t think coming in and playing a ton of minutes and starting has changed her at all,” Bimbi said. “She’s trying to do the little things to help the team win games so definitely hasn’t changed her approach to what she’s doing.”

Hevey has been seen chasing down opponents and securing the ball, often giving herself opportunities for shots or assists. 

“Just the confidence that she has, there’s not moments of hesitation where she doesn’t believe in what she’s doing,” Bimbi said. “It’s just she plays with such confidence with the ball in the attacking end of the field. It’s one of those things that it’s hard to teach. It’s gotta be kind of internal with the player. She’s definitely got that ‘it’ factor.”

Fellow first-year and teammate Jadyn Harris echoed Bimbi’s praise, highlighting some of Hevey’s skills on the pitch.

“I feel like she’s a great offensive player, great midfielder, I think she’s gonna be a top goal scorer,” Harris said. “She’s definitely aggressive, physical, she wants to win the ball every time, she wants to score. You can just tell by the way she plays.”

As for the rest of the season, Hevey has big goals for herself and the rest of the team. At the end of the season, Hevey said she hopes to be named Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year. 

“I just gotta work hard to get there,” Hevey said. “Working on my goals and assists and just making my teammates look better because at the end of the day that’s ultimately what makes me look better.” 

Hevey said she also hopes to make it to the NCAA tournament, adding that she grew up watching the games her whole life and would love to see herself on that stage.

Hevey said she makes sure to bring her positive personality with her to the field every game day. In preparing for games, she said she likes to make sure she’s very involved in the team’s pre-game dance party. 

“I like to be really involved with the dancing and singing,” Hevey said. “Some people are on the outskirts, but I’ll be doing some dances in the middle.” 

Harris spoke about her personal interactions with Hevey, highlighting her goofy personality.

“Off the field, she’s a real goofball,” Harris said. “She’s a lot of fun to be around — the sweetest person you’ll ever meet.”

Coach Bimbi shared a similar sentiment.

“She’s a very, very likable kid,” Bimbi said. “She’s not shy at all, so she’s definitely creating connections with her teammates off the field.”

Hevey said she appreciates her relationships with her teammates, sharing that her favorite team memory was a trip to Ohio where they had a team bonding experience — something she hopes to do more of in the future. 

Bimbi said he is excited to see Hevey continue to play throughout the remainder of the season and her time at Loyola.

“I don’t think she’s close to her ceiling yet,” Bimbi said. “She’s had a huge impact on the group and the program already as a freshman.”

Featured image by Aidan Cahill | The Phoenix