Mike Hill’s soccer journey has taken him from the suburbs of Chicago to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

But St. Louis is now home-at least until a professional career beckons.

Hill, a senior midfielder for the Saint Louis University men’s soccer team, is a team player in a team-oriented game.

He won’t be topping the scoring charts this season. He won’t be center stage on SLU’s talent-laden team either.

But don’t be fooled.

Hill’s leadership and skillful play in the defensive midfield will be a huge part of SLU’s success this season.

“He’s as key a player to the overall team’s success as Brad Davis or Jack Jewsbury,” said SLU head coach Dan Donigan.

Davis and Jewsbury are both NSCAA pre-season All-Americans.

“Mike was exceptional last year because he’s determined, tough, works extremely hard and has an immense will to win. I don’t doubt that he’ll provide the same this year.”

Hill has been an integral part of the Billikens’ soccer squad after transferring from Clemson in South Carolina following his freshman year.

Since Clemson released his scholarship, Hill played immediately without having to sit out a year. He has steadily improved each season.

In his first year at SLU, Hill was used all over the midfield and defense. In 22 games, he started six contests and notched five points, on two goals and an assist. But he contributed more than expected on a deep team that featured six seniors, including midfielders Jason Mims and All-American Jeff DiMaria.

“Usually when someone transfers, it takes a while to make an impact,” Donigan said. “Mike stepped in right away. To have a player of his caliber has been a pleasant surprise.”

Last season, Hill made great strides. He started all 19 games, while scoring one point. More importantly, however, Hill found his niche in the defensive midfield. His job was not to produce goals or assists, but rather to plug the holes in the back and start up the offense by looking for Davis and Jewsbury.

“That’s where I am most valuable and where I play my best soccer,” Hill said.

Last year, Hill received second-team All-Conference USA honors, as well as being named to the All-Tournament team at SLU’s Nike Classic, Vanderbilt’s Puma Classic and Rutgers Adidas Classic.

All indications point to a smooth season for Hill in 2001. In last Saturday’s defeat of No. 1 ranked Connecticut, Hill was a key element in stymieing the defending national champions’ scoring chances. His performance directly correlates to his off-season preparation. In lieu of playing club soccer, Hill trained nearly every day. Whether it was practicing with other SLU players or running three to four miles, Hill put in the necessary work. He envisions a successful season; he had similar dreams three years ago.

In 1998, Hill graduated from Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Ill., with a lengthy soccer resume. In addition to being named All-Area in soccer rich Chicago and All-State in Illinois, Hill was a USA Today national Top 20 recruit. Clemson, SLU, Maryland and Indiana, among others, recruited the midfielder who scored 30 goals in his senior year of high school. Hill decided to head for Clemson and the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference, where collegiate soccer stars are born.

Hill barely was baptized.

In his freshman campaign, he saw limited action in 12 games with the Tigers. The transition wasn’t easy. He played most of the year behind Mark Lisi and Wojtek Krakowiak, the Hermann Award winner.

Both players are now in Major League Soccer (MLS). Hill also longed for a school in a bigger city that was closer to his Chicago roots.

It was time for a change. Since SLU had recruited him out of high school, he gave then coach Bob Warming a call. However, Hill hadn’t asked for his release from Clemson until the middle of August. Time was running out.

“I basically showed up on the doorstep,” Hill said. “Pre-season practice had already started and coach told me to get down here right away.”

When going through the transferring process, the first teammate Hill met was Bobby O’Connell. The two had played against each other in the Regional Tournament for club teams during the previous two summers. Hill’s Chicago Magic Soccer team and O’Connell, Tim Sartori and David Beck’s Busch team were arch rivals.

Weeks before transferring to SLU, the two teams collided in an anticipated showdown. O’Connell received a yellow card for taking Hill down.

“It was a dirty foul,” Hill said. “But now we’re best of friends.”

O’Connell concurs: “I’m so happy he transferred. He’s been a leader since he got here and he is a team player.”

Hill may be heading back to Chicago as well. His sights are on MLS.

He practiced with the Chicago Fire when he went home for two weeks this summer. A professional career could loom in the future.

“I want to play in MLS. That’s my goal,” Hill said. “I saw the next level and what it would take for me to get there. I am excited for any opportunity to play in the future and I am ready for the challenges that lie ahead.”

With any luck he will get his chance. His soccer journey continues. . .