Megan Hiller is a fourth-year double majoring in Financial Economics and Law and Society with a Business Integrative Concentration. A lifelong athlete who spent her early years devoted to soccer, Hiller picked up a lacrosse stick for the first time in seventh grade and never looked back. Now, in her final season as an Oberlin athlete, she has etched her name into the program’s record books, reaching 202 career points, the second-highest total in Oberlin women’s lacrosse history.
Megan Hiller’s path to lacrosse was not a straight line. She grew up playing soccer, starting at age three, and had no intention of ever switching sports. It was her teammate’s aunt, the head coach of a nearby club lacrosse team, who kept nudging her to give it a try. For years, Hiller resisted.
“I loved soccer and never explored another sport,” she said. “I resisted for a few years because I truly believed soccer was my sport and did not see myself playing anything else.”
Around seventh grade, she finally relented and joined a club lacrosse team. The rest is history.
“Once I started playing, I fell in love with how fast-paced and competitive the sport is,” Hiller said. “What started as trying the sport I thought I would hate became a pivotal moment in my life.”
Once she picked up the sport, Hiller’s growth as a player was steady. However, it was not without its challenges. In her first season at Oberlin, she jumped out to a strong start, leaning more heavily on goals than assists.
But her sophomore year brought significant disruption when the coaching staff turned over entirely, leading to what she described as an “off year all-around.” Rather than letting the instability derail her, Hiller leaned on her teammates and kept showing up.
“As teammates, we continued to show up for each other and be each other’s rock throughout it all,” she said. “Our bond is like no other.”
By her third year, with a new head coach in place, the program began to find its footing again. Hiller’s game evolved alongside it and she started to balance her goal scoring with her assists. Now, in her fourth year under coaches Nadrah, Nasman, and Assistant Coach Mike Petrella, she has found an environment that brings out the best in her.
“They have placed me in positions that allow me to work with and connect with my teammates and to utilize my strengths,” she said. “Oberlin women’s lacrosse’s foundation is stronger than ever.”
That growth quietly culminated in a milestone she never saw coming. Earlier this season, during a game against Wittenberg University, Hiller surpassed the second-highest point total in program history. She had no idea it was happening. A few teammates had mentioned early in the season that she was closing in on the record books, but she had not given it much thought after that. It wasn’t until she read the post-game summary article the following morning that it hit her.
“I had no idea this milestone was coming,” she said, still seeming to process it. “I found out the day after the game from the game summary article that I had reached the second-highest in points.”
When her teammates found out, the congratulatory texts came pouring in. But the reaction that meant the most came from someone who had been there all along. Her mom happened to be in the stands that day, present for a moment neither of them knew they were about to share.
“The most special reaction was my mom’s,” Hiller said. “She was at that game and was able to be part of the moment when I found out I am now in the history book.”
For Hiller, the milestone carries extra meaning given how close she came to never playing college lacrosse at all. She had been hesitant going into her first year, uncertain whether continuing the sport was the right call.
“I truly had no expectations going into my first year on the team, but I knew I wanted to make an impact by the time I left,” she reflected. “Reaching this milestone is a sign to me that I made the right decision to continue playing the sport I love at Oberlin.”
When asked what she credits for getting here, her answer was immediate and unwavering.
“My teammates all the way. I would not have survived my four years without them,” Hiller said quickly. “The love and support from my teammates has allowed me to become the best player I can possibly be. I am confident I would not have reached this milestone without them over the years.”
Off the field, Hiller has been equally intentional about the mark she leaves on campus. She has been a central figure in establishing Oberlin’s chapter of the One Love Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting healthy relationships. Hiller was first introduced to One Love in high school, and she was eager to get involved when she arrived at Oberlin and learned that the Student Athlete Advisory Committee hosted workshops each semester. Over time, she and a few teammates felt the work deserved a more permanent home on campus, and they built one.
In the chapter’s first year, they facilitated fall and spring workshops, and for the first time, held dedication games for baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s tennis.
“The goal for the first year of the chapter’s establishment was to raise awareness of One Love and to promote healthy relationships among more people on campus while laying a solid foundation for many years to come,” Hiller shared.
With graduation on the horizon, Hiller has been making the most of every moment left at Oberlin. She spent the fall buried in LSAT prep and law school applications and will be heading to law school this coming fall. Now, with a bit more breathing room, she and her friends have put together a bucket list of places to go and things to do before they walk across the stage.
But first, there is still the back half of the season left to play. Her goals are both team-oriented and deeply personal.
“My goal for the rest of the season is to win more conference games,” she said. “My personal goal is to cherish every moment I have left with my team and the sport. … Whether it’s the long bus rides or the locker room traditions, I am grateful and want to savor each moment before it’s over.”
Hiller did not know what she was getting into when she first picked up a lacrosse stick. She could not have known it would lead her here, to the history books, to a law school acceptance, to friendships she will carry long after the final whistle. All that is left now is to savor the last few games.
