This season, the stellar JP Stevens girls varsity soccer team has enjoyed wins over several exceptional schools such as Piscataway, North Brunswick, South Plainfield, John F. Kennedy High School, and many more. The reasons behind the team’s impressive track record are the brilliant coach, the dedication of its players, and the girls’ unity on the field. One of the team’s best assets is Heather Riess, the backbone and one of four captains of the girl’s team. Heather has decided to continue her soccer career by committing to Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham to play Division III women’s soccer.

Heather Riess started playing soccer at the age of three when her father began to coach her. Her older sisters also played the sport, so it was only natural for her to pick it up as well, following in their footsteps. She enjoys watching her idol, Rose Lavelle, play professional soccer for the US women’s national team. Rose Lavelle is a renowned and accomplished American female soccer player. Inspired by her story and her success, Heather began training tirelessly and pushing herself towards her dream of becoming a professional soccer player someday.  

Heather plays as a center midfielder, responsible for keeping the defensive and offensive lines connected. Through soccer, she has internalized the valuable skills of hard work and leadership. She lets these qualities shine through on the field to benefit not only her team, but also her coaches and anyone who had the pleasure of watching her play. Heather plays an active role in the success of the team in a less visible way by always offering advice and suggestions to players at halftime, as she hopes to nurture her teammates to be in a good place for when she graduates.

As Heather’s coach for four years, girls varsity soccer’s Coach Toporek remarks, “Heather is a workhorse all over the field. She has phenomenal vision on the field and looks to better her teammates.” 

After being on varsity since her freshman year, Heather has formed valuable bonds with her teammates, many of whom have become her closest friends. She has heavily influenced the soccer team by constantly motivating and helping her teammates to achieve results on the field. She finished her illustrious high school soccer career with a whopping 17 goals and 19 assists, despite never straying from her position as a midfielder.

At Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham, Heather hopes to improve by continuing to play the sport she loves. It’s her dream to one day help represent the United States at the World Cup.

Apart from improving her skills on the field, Heather also appreciates the sport for teaching her consistency, hard work, confidence, and perseverance. Her advice to all young soccer players is to “train with intensity and play with confidence.” Heather certainly did, and now look at her—ready to play soccer at the collegiate level and poised for success after high school.