It was a familiar sight to fans of Montreat College sports: Amanda Solesbee strode across the soccer pitch after a stirring win by the Lady Cavaliers.  However, Solesbee was not wearing the home blue uniform and muddied cleats that were her usual gear when she played for the Lady Cavaliers soccer team from 2004-2007.  Instead, she was at the match on October 3, 2009 to cheer on her successors and to receive a rare and special recognition as Montreat College officially retired her #4 jersey and honored her remarkable career.  Solesbee returned to campus from Hickory, where she teaches 4th Grade, during Homecoming Weekend.  

After watching a come-from-behind 2-1 victory by the home side, Solesbee was greeted by Head Coach Don Maples and then introduced and lauded by former teammate and co-captain Heather Hable as the crowd cheered the retirement of her jersey.

Solesbee said that her "records are meant to be broken," but that may prove to be a difficult challenge.  A two-time NAIA All-American Scholar who earned Dean's List honors every semester at Montreat College, Solesbee graduated a semester early, though not before twice leading the Appalachian Athletic Conference in goals and being named first-team all-conference.  During her senior campaign, her 19 goals placed her as the 6th-leading scorer in the NAIA in 2007.  Her accomplishments landed her on the "Faces in the Crowd" page in "Sports Illustrated."