NEXT STOP FOR ARBOR VIEW SCHOLAR-ATHLETE IS MIT

to death during the majority of the season. But as the playoffs came, she grew in confidence to take on the role with a team that was already a two-time defending state champion. It showed remarkable character on her part.”

It wasn’t the last time Niemann would wow Howard. Initially sticking with her as a young goalie because of her towering stature — this year’s roster listed Niemann at 5-foot-11 — Howard came to learn she was perfect for the position in a number of other ways.

From selflessly volunteering to help Howard’s middle schoolaged son with math homework to seamlessly holding conversations with adults, the small intangibles Niemann would do on a near-daily basis impressed Howard.

“We made her a team captain as a junior, which we’ve only ever done with a couple other kids, because of her unique abilities all around,” Howard said.

As a captain, Niemann adopted the mindset of doing whatever she felt was best for her team. She had to demonstrate her commitment to that philosophy going into her senior season.

The position splits of the roster had shifted at Arbor View. The Aggies suddenly had two other capable goalies but few proven defenders.

“I brought her in and told her this was her call,” Howard said. “If she wanted to keep chasing the record books and all that stuff, we would make it work. But she just wanted whatever helped the team, so she played out in the field her senior year out of necessity and really never thought twice about it.”

Niemann loves playing either position. She said she expected to play goalie at MIT, but the coaching staff told her they’d also consider her as a defender.

Howard wasn’t surprised that MIT was most intrigued with Niemann as a goalie prospect.

“You just don’t find girls with her length and athletic ability,” he said.

Niemann has been in contact with MIT coaches since her junior year, as they helped give her pointers on how to maximize her chances for admission into the school, which has an acceptance rate of less than 8 percent.

It helped guide her toward the Women Technology Program, which lasted four weeks last summer and cemented Niemann’s desire to attend the school.

“I was living in the dorms, taking classes in all the buildings and getting to know the area,” Niemann said. “The Boston/ Cambridge area is such a cool place. I loved it there. I knew this is where I want to be; this is what I want to do. It made me more comfortable.”

Although she has her mind set on engineering, Niemann is unsure on what area she’ll make her focus.

“I want to go explore my different options and then decide,” she said.

If Niemann takes to her engineering like soccer, she’ll be able to excel in any area in no time.