Stratford native and Olympic gold medalist Alyssa Naeher returned to her home state on October 24 for “An Evening with Alyssa Naeher” at Lyman Center, electrifying fans and student-athletes alike with reflections on her journey from Connecticut fields to the world’s biggest stages.
The two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion and 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist opened the evening with a special meet-and-greet and Q&A session with Southern’s women’s soccer team, offering candid insights on resilience, preparation, and leadership.
Team captains Shelby Green and Olivia Jones said meeting Naeher ahead of their upcoming matchup was a powerful motivator.
“A night like this means everything for us. It’s so inspiring seeing someone who is from Connecticut come back and give back to the community,” Green shared.
Following the team session, Naeher took the stage for an engaging conversation moderated by sports broadcaster Christine Huber. In front of a crowd of sports and soccer fans, she reflected on a career that includes two World Cup titles (2015, 2019), an Olympic bronze medal (Tokyo 2020), and a gold medal (Paris 2024). She noted that returning to inspire the next generation of athletes is a meaningful part of her legacy.
“Now I have the opportunity to pass on my experiences—on and off the field,” she said. “That guidance was always really helpful for me as a young player.”
The event carried special significance for Southern’s women’s soccer program, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary season. Just days later, Naeher was honored for her career achievements at the U.S. Women’s National Team match against Portugal on October 26 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, making her message of legacy, leadership, and progress especially resonant for student-athletes stepping into the program’s next era.
Click here for photos from the event.
Related Coverage
SCSU hosts USA soccer gold medal winner ahead of honorary ceremony on Sunday – NBC Connecticut
Dom Amore’s Sunday Read: Olympic hero Alyssa Naeher to be honored, CT reps at series, more – Hartford Courant
