Throughout the summer, we'll be checking in with the Brandeis Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The ceremony will be held in conjunction with Homecoming on October 11, 2025. Registration is now open!
Click here view more Hall of Fame and Alumni Spotlights!
NAME: Michaela (Friedman) Savonen, Class of 2017
SPORT: Women's Soccer
CURRENT JOB: Sales Enablement Manager, DDN
Michaela Friedman Savonen, a native of Port Jefferson Station, New York, was the defensive anchor of one of the best women's soccer stretches in school history. After going to the ECACs as a first-year, the Judges made the NCAA Division III tournament during her sophomore and junior seasons before breaking through to the program's first Final Four in 2016 in her senior campaign. Savonen was named an All-American twice by D3Soccer.com and once by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, now known as United Soccer Coaches. Over the course of her final three seasons, the Judges recorded more shutouts (38) than goals allowed (37). She was named Brandeis's Max I. Silber Award winner for outstanding female athlete in 2017.
Since receiving her degree in Health: Science, Science and Policy, Savonen has worked in Sales Enablement, empowering sales teams by equipping them with the necessary resources, tools, and training to effectively engage with customers and drive revenue growth. She has worked for several tech companies, most recently joining DDN, an artificial intelligence platform based in California, earlier this year.
Q: What attracted you to Brandeis in the first place?
I initially had no idea about Brandeis—my introduction came completely by chance when a friend asked the coaching staff to scout her at a tournament, and their assistant coach noticed me instead. Once I discovered that Brandeis offered both top-tier academics and a dynamic, emerging soccer program, I knew it was the perfect fit and seized the opportunity wholeheartedly.
Q: Describe your overall experience as a student-athlete. What does it mean to you now/what did it mean to you while you were an undergraduate?
Being a student-athlete at Brandeis was foundational—shaping who I am by teaching me balance, opening space for my ambitions, and forging lifelong relationships. I learned the value of discipline and sacrifice—whether it was bench time, missing social events, or traveling for games—but I also experienced incredible highs, like competing in the NCAA tournament, exploring the country with teammates, and building a supportive community with athletes, coaches, and trainers. That four-year journey wasn't just part of my college years—it was the heart of them, and I wouldn't be who I am today without it.
Q: Do you have any advice for current or future Brandeis Student-Athletes?
Absolutely—I had an interesting journey, not the smoothest at times, but I never gave up. I think coming to college, after you were used to starting and playing every minute of every game in club soccer, can be really difficult. Sitting on the sidelines is never easy, but if you stay focused and dedicated, it will all pay off. Lastly, don't forget: Brandeis offers so much more than sports. Dive into its rich academic offerings, explore engaging majors, join clubs, and get involved in charity work. Your time is limited—make every moment count.
Q: Do you keep in touch with any of your former Brandeis teammates? How?
Well, four of my teammates were my bridesmaids and my husband (Tyler Savonen '15) played for Brandeis Men's soccer… so I would say I keep in touch with them.
Q: Looking back on your career at Brandeis, do you have any one or two moments that you look back on and cherish? Especially during your NCAA Tournament/Final Four runs.
There are a lot of them for sure, we made some deep runs which were obviously filled with some memorable moments… if I had to pick two:
First would be our NCAA Elite Eight game in 2016. We were playing at home (which was insane that we were able to host!) against the team that knocked us out the year prior, William Smith. They were definitely the favorite going into the game and proved to be when we went down 2-0 in the first 73 minutes. We ended up pulling out three quick goals in the next eight minutes, but regulation time ended 3-3. We didn't give up and knew it was golden goal in OT. In the first OT, I had a free kick, played the ball in, and my friend Jess (Morana '17) was there to kick it in. It was the most incredible feeling, everyone ran on to the field, we could not believe we made it into the final four for the first time in our school's history. What a high.
My second favorite moment would probably be right after the Final Four loss. We played our hardest and I am usually quite pessimistic, but I was just so proud of the entire group. We were all in tears of some type - sad/happy.. But we had succeeded beyond our expectations and lived the dream that season.
Q: What do you think made your teams so successful in the mid 2010s?
I think we all wanted it and no one was complacent. From the first day of preseason, we were all working towards the same goal. Whether you started every game or were more of a practice squad player, everyone brought 100 percent to every practice. It was a family and it was incredible.
Q: What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of since you graduated?
One of my proudest achievements since graduation is completing the 2019 New York City Marathon—several years after college, I wasn't the athlete I once was, but I'd always dreamed of running it. I ran alongside my best friend from home and, even more meaningfully, raised over $3,000 for breast and ovarian cancer research—a cause deeply close to both my heart and my family. Crossing the finish line in Central Park is the closest I have come to the euphoric feeling of playing in the Final Four.
