Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

To a lot of people, soccer is just a game.  But to many, soccer is life.  Soccer has been my life for the past 16 years, and it’s scary to think that this chapter in my life is coming to a close.  It always felt like there would be one more season, one more game, one more chance.  But today, all of that comes to an end.  Today, I will be taking the field for the last time as a Cardinal.  In so many ways, I feel like my parents were just dropping me off for my freshman year, yet so much has happened since that day.  Coaches and teammates have come and gone. Games have been won and lost.  Seasons have been successful and unsuccessful.  While the wins and losses will fade from memory and the records will become unimportant, the people who were there for it all will never be forgotten.  To these people, I owe my deepest gratitude.

First and foremost, I want to thank my parents.  Mom and Dad: Thank you.  Thank you for all of your love, support, and sacrifice the past 21 years.  You two have been the biggest cheerleaders in my life.  I hardly remember a game from the time I started playing soccer at age 5 to today that you weren’t there for.  Whether I was playing down the street or 10 hours away, one of you was always there.  While I may not always have seemed to appreciate your presence at the time or told you not to come, nothing mattered more to me than seeing you on the sidelines.  Mom, thank you for always finding a way to make me smile.  I know you thought you were embarrassing me most of the time, but the truth is, I can’t help but admire you.  You have always been so confident and unafraid to be yourself.  And even when I couldn’t seem to find the good in things, you were always there to help me see that the glass was half full.  Thank you for teaching me to live life with no regrets and not be afraid to take chances.  I love you so much.  Dad, thank you for being my voice of reason, my calming force.  I know I didn’t always want to hear what you had to say, but I that didn’t mean I wasn’t listening.  I have always valued your advice and opinion more than anyone else.  Thank you, too, for taking time out of your already busy day to kick the ball with me in the backyard.  It meant the world to me.  Y.A.M.H. and I love you MTD!

Ry guy: Thank you for being the best “little” brother a girl could ask for.  Even though you are younger than me, I look up to you so much.  I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished.  You are not only a stellar athlete (maybe even a better athlete … haha) and a smart kid, you are a good person with a big heart.  You have been my best friend since the day you were born (even if I did stuff my Cabbage Patch doll behind the toy box when you came home from the hospital).  Thank you for always pushing me to be better and putting up with me, even when I drive you crazy.  I love you, dude!

Grandma and Grandpa Marnocha: Thank you for being there to support me over the years.  Seeing you there bundled up in your winter jackets always made me smile.  I know you have a lot of grandchildren to visit, so every minute I was able to spend with you was treasured.  I love you both!        Grandma and Grandpa Matye:  You two are quite  the pair!  You never fail to make me smile.  Thank you so much for coming to my games!  And for all of the big hugs and yummy food afterwards.  I’m sorry if I made you clean too many times over the years, Grandma.  I never meant to make you nervous.  You are one of the strongest women I know.  I hope that someday I can be half the mother, wife, teacher, and friend that you are.  And, Grandpa, I’m so glad that you are starting to heal.  Even though the prognosis was never the best, you kept a positive outlook and kept working to get better.  You are one tough cookie.  I admire you so much for all the lives you have touched as a coach and a teacher, but more importantly, I admire you so much for the amazing family you have raised.  You have done a phenomenal job.  I love you both from the bottom of my heart!    

Uncle Mark: Thank you so much for finding time in your ridiculous schedule to come watch me play.  Even when you couldn’t watch me play, there was always a phone call or text message wishing me luck.  You have been there for me through so many ups and downs, and I can’t thank you enough for that.  I can’t wait for you to start your own family.  Those are going to be some lucky kids.

To all my other aunts, uncles, and cousins: Thank you!  You guys are the best!

To all of my friends here at Saint Mary’s, especially my cheering section – Luke, Lindsey, Derek, Christina, John, Tim, and Bill – thank you for being there for me, both on and off the field!  I may not always hear you cheering, but I know that you are there.  Having the love and support of each of you means so much to me.  My experience at Saint Mary’s would not have been what it is without each of you.

Coach Guinn: I would not be at Saint Mary’s today if it weren’t for you.  I have never felt so wanted and appreciated by someone before.  You gave me a chance when I didn’t think I had one.  You pushed me to be a better player and a better person.  I have never met someone with a memory like you or with a heart as big as yours.  I will never forget getting an e-mail on my birthday from you even though you were in Canada.  You taught me so much about soccer but also about life.  You opened my eyes to so many things that we often overlook.  Thank you for this opportunity.  You had no idea what you were giving me when you gave me a spot on this team, but I will forever be grateful.  I only wish that you could have been here for the whole journey.  I know this past year has been extremely difficult for you and your family, and you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.  

Coach Halberg: It meant so much to me to come back to school every year and see your smiling face, especially when the other faces constantly seemed to be changing.  Thank you for sticking with us, through the ups and downs.  You always pushed us to be our best and always helped us up when we were down.  

Coach Zimmerman and Coach Dembiec: Thank you for stepping in to coach us when we were without a coach.  I learned a lot from both of you, and I sincerely appreciate the time and effort you put in to making this a successful program.

Berg, Kaufmann, Mess, Paulson, and JJ: Thank you for taking me under your wing and letting me become a part of your lives.  You were such incredible teammates and leaders.  I loved every minute I got to play by your side.  You are also some of the best friends I could ever ask for.  You are like the big sisters I never had, and your friendship means the world to me.  Thank you for all the smiles, hugs, advice, and kind words!  You will all be in my heart forever!

Finally, to my teammates:

Kate, baby.  You are already a leader as a freshman.  I can’t wait to see the player and person you will become.  Francie, Caiti, and Emily, I’m so glad you girls decided to play soccer this year.  You were a great addition to the team and provided countless laughs.  

Kelsey B. and Kelsey S., keep dominating in the middle!  Ashley and Ellie, keep working hard and making people smile.  Amanda, you may be a little person, but you are definitely a force to be reckoned with on the field.  Caitlyn, you were my first prospie as a freshman and a Cardinal from day one.  You have a tireless work ethic and are always trying to be better.  I admire that so much.  

Rachel, don’t take this the wrong way, but you, my dear, have the sexiest legs on this campus.  Hands down.  =)  I have never seen someone sacrifice themselves like you do to win a ball.  You never seem to stop working, and I envy your speed and endurance.  You are a phenomenal athlete as well as a born leader, both on and off the field.  I know that you will easily step up to that role in the future.  I will miss your beautiful smile and hilarious personality next year!

K.P., don’t ever give up!  I know how frustrating it can be to work so hard and not get a result, but you are so close!  Stick with it!  And thank you for being the best Hat Trick partner ever!  T, I am so amazed at how you were able to juggle everything this year.  I know it wasn’t easy, but your hard work and effort did not go unnoticed.  Amy, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone hit the back of the net as much as you have.  Don’t let up.

My dearest Erin.  To think that we’ve been friends for the past 15 years is a little hard to believe.  We’ve been through so much together and made so many wonderful memories along the way.  Even though I was a little unsure at first, I am so glad that you decided to come to Saint Mary’s.  I have no idea what I would have done without you.  You are so full of wisdom and love, which you willingly give out to any and all who need it (and I know I’ve needed a lot!).  You are such a compassionate young woman and always put others before yourself, whether it be volunteering or staying up to comfort a troubled friend.  I know I give you a hard time a lot, but please know that it is all out of love.  You are honestly one of my very best friends.  Thank you for everything you have done for me.  I will miss you sooooo incredibly much next year, but even though we will be apart from each other, you will always be in my heart.

Mazzuca, I think every time I see you, you say, “I love you.”  Well, I love you back.  I know that you have been plagued with injuries the past few years, but that has never slowed you down.  I don’t think there’s anyone else who’s as much fun to watch with a soccer ball as you.  When you have the ball, it’s almost like you are dancing.  It always looks so effortless.  To top it all off, you have a personality that makes everyone smile and the best booty shakin’ moves I’ve ever seen.  

Dana, you have been there with me since day one.  You are such a tireless worker on and off the field.  It is a rare occasion that I see you without a ball at your feet.  I admire your dedication so much.  The time and effort you put in to improving yourself as a player is evident on the field.  I have always admired the skill and poise that you conduct yourself with.  

O, Canada…My amazing Keirra.  First let me begin by saying, “I love you, I love you, I love you!”  To me, you are the epitome of a soccer player.  Since day one, I have always aspired to be a player like you.  Not only are you quick, but you have the skills and persistence to go with it.  You are always working to make yourself better, and you never quit, even when the world around you seems to be crashing down.  I know it’s been tough at times and giving up would have been so much easier than sticking with it, but you hung in there.  I admire you so much.  You are such a beautiful young woman with so much potential.  Believe in yourself because you have the talent and ambition to do anything you set your mind to.  We have grown so close these past four years, and you are truly one of my dearest friends.  Thank you for being there for me when I doubted myself and for being the best sideline and running buddy.  I can’t wait for all the adventures yet to come!

Last, but not least, my Mexican jumping bean.  Mariana, you are a beautiful soul, inside and out, and your love could honestly cure the world.  I have never seen someone with the passion and commitment that you show towards your family, friends, art, and athletics.  It is so inspiring to me.  You give so selflessly of yourself each and everyday, even when you have no time left for yourself.  You take the time to get to know each and every person you encounter, and make them feel special and appreciated.  You leave the world a little better everywhere you go.  You are such a talented young woman.  Some of the saves you make in goal seem inhuman to me, yet after every one, you bounce right back on your feet.  And your artwork is so beautiful and powerful.  I know that someday I will be watching an animated movie and your name will come across the screen.  I admire you so much and pray that I can one day touch people’s lives like you do.  Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.  You truly are the best.  ¡Te amo!    P.S. Don’t worry. I will never make a judgment about someone without first getting in their pants. =)

I never thought that I could fall in love with a group of people and a place as much as I have here at Saint Mary’s.  This has truly become my home and family away from home, and it will be difficult to leave.  I will never forget this experience.

Thank you again to everyone.  It’s been an awesome journey.