Brianna Bitz’s collegiate soccer career–a career she calls a roller coaster–could’ve ended before the ride started. But although her roller coaster might’ve had its fair share of twists and turns, it never knocked her off track.

Bitz began her soccer career at George Mason during COVID, where she started as a freshman.

Following her first college season, she went through the first loop in her rollercoaster.

“My fall season was a dream, as I started most games as a freshman and got to go head-to-head with Power 5 schools,” Bitz said.

The end of the season, however, proved to be a different story.

“I ended up being released along with the majority of the roster due to a new coach cleaning house,” she said.

From there, she went to UNC Asheville.

Her sophomore season ended in injury.

Bitz had a hip impingement, and she also sustained a labrum injury. She had a similar set back, dating back to her freshman year of high school.

To fix the impingement and repair her labrum, she required surgery.

“I began having hip pain during the spring season of my sophomore year at UNC Asheville. I originally thought it was fatigue, but I wanted to go see my doctor to verify,” Bitz said. “He informed me that the impingement had grown back, and that I would need another surgery to repair it.”

The situation gave Bitz the idea of a new start.

“My injury made me have to make a decision,” she said. “With the consultation of my family and doctors, I decided that a change was necessary and knew exactly where I wanted to be.”

Bitz grew up 40 minutes from Ferrum and has had ties to the coaching staff.

“Coach (Erin) Saleeby and Wes (Lewis) are incredible people and coaches that I knew truly cared about their players outside of just soccer,” Bitz said. “They willingly welcomed me with open arms, for which I am eternally grateful.”

But when Bitz arrived on campus in the Fall of 2023, she was still battling the hip injury.

“I played on the injury my first year at Ferrum. I had the surgery in late November in order to have the whole spring to recover,” she said. “The rehab process was tedious and long, but well worth it. I began rehab immediately after.”

Her rehab process lasted four months–just to gain mobility and strength back in her hip–let alone get on the pitch.

“I have to give a shoutout to Ferrum Athletic Trainer Rebecca Brittle for her work and support throughout this process,” Bitz said. “From there, I had to focus on getting my touch and fitness back, which was the main objective of my whole summer.”

But at the end of the Spring last year, Bitz graduated. She achieved her undergraduate degree in three years.

This proposed a decision of whether to use her graduate season or exit the field.

Bitz wasn’t ready for her ride to end.

“I had my fourth year of eligibility left, and I wasn’t ready to hang up my cleats yet,” she said. “This is why I decided to begin my master’s program and finish my fourth year. My passion for this game and program motivated me to rehab and come back to finish out my collegiate career strong.”

When Bitz got back on the field this Fall, Saleeby gave her the title of captain.

“This is her second year with the program, but she is a captain, she is a leader, and everybody looks up to her,” Saleeby said. “She’s someone that everybody goes to for anything. She’s somebody that embodies everything we want in a person.”

Sayda Rojas-Campbell, sophomore, has been Bitz’s teammate and is currently a student-coach.

“Bri is a positive leader who supports and pushes her teammates on and off the field,” Rojas-Campbell said. “Before games she sets a positive mood making sure all the players are mentally ready. She communicates with her teammates the things they need to work on during the game or in practice.”

For her part, Bitz said she’s learned to lead from the front.

“I don’t ask anyone to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself,” she said. “A big part of this is servant leadership. As a leader, I acknowledge that it is my job to help and serve my teammates. This has helped me gain respect as I understand that I am equal to my teammates. None of us are above each other, and we all deserve mutual respect.”

The women’s soccer team’s starting lineup has 10 returners out of the 11 on the field.

This has helped the team jump out to a 6-0 start.

“The upperclassmen are guiding the incomers, and everyone is getting on the same page,” Bitz said. “We are centered around unity and desire to work for each other. Our energy is positive and geared towards us being successful in achieving our goals.”

During her first season here, Bitz scored eight goals in 17 games and won the 2023-24 Female Newcomer of the Year Award.

But Bitz is a team player and has her sights set at greater goals–winning an ODAC championship on her way out.

“The personal accolades are nice, and I am very grateful for them. However, my eyes are set on making a tournament run and leaving the ODAC with a statement before heading into the Conference Carolinas,” Bitz said. “The personal recognition is much appreciated, and there are goals I have set for myself, but I am more focused on making a run in the ODAC tournament. If personal accolades come with that, I will be grateful, but I am more eager for us to accomplish our team goals and make a statement.”

With those goals in mind, the team’s undefeated start gives them confidence leading into ODAC competition.

“This momentum is helping us carry this confidence into ODAC play by allowing us to trust our ability to get results while not being satisfied. We are carrying a mentality of one game at a time. The only game that matters is the one ahead,” Bitz said. “With our start, it has been an approach to celebrate the win, but we are onto preparing for the next. As for myself, coming back from an injury can shake a player’s confidence. This momentum has allowed me to build my confidence back up and know that I am back and able to perform.”

That performance surfaced in Bitz’s first game of the season, as she recorded her first collegiate hat trick in a 5-2 win against Mary Baldwin.

“She’s been working really hard,” Saleeby said. “She worked hard in the off-season. Last season she was not 100%. She struggled to push off and use her speed, and it was something that was with her the whole season. But she is a force right now.”

Through only six games, Bitz has scored seven goals, one shy of her total from last season, and has four assists.

“My training was geared towards getting my mechanics back. I had to adjust how I played the previous season because I was playing on an injury. The biggest focus was getting me back moving functionally and critiquing the techniques I had to adapt last year,” Bitz said. “I believe that being healthy has contributed to this hot start, but also the team’s desire to win. While I have put seven goals in the back of the net, we have scored 23 goals so far (as a team). This is a product of us working together for a common purpose.”

As Bitz nears the end of her roller coaster ride of a career, she’s had the time to reflect.

“It has gone fast, had ups, and downs, but it has been thrilling,” Bitz said. “I was five years old in my lime green jersey going to my first game. It hasn’t been easy. The injuries, losses, changes, and other downfalls can make it tough to continue loving the game.”

Even when facing adversity, Bitz has found the positives and hold those near and dear to her heart.

“The relationships I have gained, the life skills I have earned, and the memories I have created have made this timespan priceless,” Bitz said. “I would not be where I am without God, my family, and my support system.”

No matter how Bitz’s last ride goes, whether it ends in defeat, or with every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears poured on to the field to raise that trophy and be called a champion, she can say she found her home as a Panther.

“I cannot express how thankful I am for the ups and downs. I can finally say that I am home and have a collegiate support system like no other,” Bitz said. “While my journey has been different from the typical route, I would not trade it for the world. I look forward to ending my career on a high with my family, support system, and the best teammates and coaches I could ever ask for.”