Looking back through freshman (we came in with 8 girls and dropped to 5 after season), sophomore year (adding one), and junior year (adding two) I never thought I would be writing this letter senior year (losing two) after everything that has happened over the last four years. The only reason I am still standing after four long, hard seasons, are the girls! They have made the game mean more than just a game on the pitch. We have made so many memories and friendships that will last a life time.
I want to thank my parents for not pushing me to be someone I didn’t want, for not forcing me to go to practice or games, but letting me decide. The game of soccer has meant so much and has made me who I am today. I hope I can say I have made you proud of whom I have to become over these last four years. I want to thank my three annoying little siblings Emma, Morgan and Jack (who would say differently). Emma, thanks you for pushing me, no matter if you’re standing next to me or you millions of miles away. I remember high school my freshman year calling each other after finishing a race to see who was the fastest. I am proud to say that it is still me. Hehehe. ? High school soccer was the same way you were the one who made me better and help me push myself. I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. Morgan, I know we have had our differences, but you’re amazing. You are goofy and crazy, even more than me but I love you and you will forever be my littlest sister. To my little brother Jack, where to start. I have always admired your skill and talent in everything you do. Thank you for trying to teach me and spending time in the street playing ball, or laughing at me with dad and making me want to prove you wrong (still working on that in some areas.) I want to thank my past teammates from when I was five to now at the age of 21; especially my high school and college girls. I love you all so much and can honestly say if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here today.
To all the Women Soccer Seniors that have graduated over the last three years. I have had the pleasure and honor to play with you and gotten to know over the years, thank you for everything. You have all impacted my life in one form or another and I am grateful for every single one of you.
Paulson, Kaufmann, Berg, Erin, and Mess: My welcome to freshman year would not have been the same if it wasn’t the five of you to look up too. Paulson I will never forgot when I gave up my Jersey after you cut your eye brow open so you could continue to play your heart out like you did every game. You were the best looking prep that night! Berg, I want your speed! Kaufmann, you will always be remembered for the yellow raincoat and your constant push after all you had been through and Mess, Thank you for being positive your senior year and being like a coach to me.
Dana, Mazz, Keirra, Stephanie, and Mariana: Sophomore year was different starting the season on the sidelines watching with injury but you girls always came with a smile, a laugh and I am grateful for the times we had. Dana, Thank you for the long talks, Mazz, You are crazy but you’re a ton of fun. Stephanie, you were someone I never ever want to yell at me freshman year … that lasted preseason. ? Mariana and Keirra, you two are the funniest girls. I don’t think we had a dull practice with the two of you, your skills in the net and either forward or center mid has and will always be a joy to watch and play with.
KP, Amy, Friedl and T: Junior year again another injury to start the season (I don’t like this pattern…) I enjoyed getting to know and play with you all for three years. I had a blast! KP, first off this season isn’t the same without three Kelsey’s and second remember when you use to play goalie?! I know I will never see you in net ever again after your sophomore year. You make one heck of a forward. Amy, it was an honor to play with you, I will be back the day you make the hall fame for Saint Mary’s. Friedl, its simple, thanks for playing soccer! T, Thanks for freshman year and the hallway dance parties and the cat that you hid in your room. Also thank you to Marie, Erin, and Molly.
Looking back to freshman year, I came in working hard 7 days a week all summer to make sure I came in ready to show coach but over the years my body hasn’t been able to handle that, somewhere in the last three years my body has aged at least 20 years and life gets harder with age, or at least physically so I have learned. Every August came the excitement of coming back SMU to play and see everyone. What am I gonna do next year come August???? My love for the game has changed so much over the past four seasons and it has taken its toll on me. I am sad that my career at Saint Mary’s has come to an end and playing soccer will never be the same again. I will never be able to walk out on the field with the same 6 girls that have pushed me to work harder than I ever have, annoyed the $#*! out of me; you have made me laugh and cry and driven me crazy, but in the end you girls are my family and I am thankful for that.
To the six seniors that I have been privileged to play with and become friends with over the last four years: Ashley, Amanda, Cassie, Kelsey B, Kelsey S, and Rachel. Looking back over the last four seasons and walking in freshman year, I don’t know where to even start with all the memories I have over the years.
Ashley, Lets rewind to freshman year and that 8 hour canoe trip… OMG that trip took way to long! Where we were actually canoeing or pretending we were in a gondola to giving up completely and just swimming… I can I had a blast with you then and have ever since. I don’t think we have ever had a dull moment and I am glad to know that you will always have my back. Thank you for sharing your grandma and parents with me. You have become a very close friend over the last four years and I am grateful that I am on that side then the other. ?
Amanda, you were the first one! We talked and worried together that summer before college started and I was glad to know someone else coming in with me. We have both struggled with injuries over the last four season and I have to give you credit for pushing through the pain day by day. I am glad to have become good friends with you over the years and I am glad that I have a graphic buddy to talk out our frustration when it comes to class and projects…. I hope I showed you it all this season, thanks for pushing me to be better.
Cassie, I remember sitting in the skemp hallway and talking and look at us now. I am glad to say we have become a lot closer this season and I have really enjoyed getting to know you. I hope that we will continue to grow closer even after soccer end. “Bow chicka wow wow” (In case I don’t get to sing to you on our final jog around the field)
Kelsey B … where to start; the side door at vlaz or when we became roommates or when I became a Brown. Thanks for actually being my friend and becoming a close one. My dad is crazy and embarrassing but he is family so what can you do about that. I know you know family and that they are capable of drive you crazy, thanks for sharing your mom, Steve, Katie and Kristi. I have had a lot of fun getting to know you and I’m glad to call you one of my best friends. I know I steal your lines but I will start quoting things … as KB says TRUE OR FALSE?!?!
Kelsey S, I remember hearing about you before your visit, wondering what people thought of SMU, I wasn’t excited about you then but I am glad you transferred to SMU. P.S. SMU Soccer Girls are the BEST you’ll find anywhere look at the 6 girls your leaving with. Way better than those Knights… Thank you for being in ALL my accounting classes. Life and classes are much more interesting with you sitting next to me (especially this year).
Rachel, Thank you for being crazy you! You have been the brick wall on the field and the brick wall for me to come to if I ever needed someone to talk to. Remember the movie nights we had preseason freshman year?!?!? I hope you fallow your dreams and go to Egypt, I’ll come visit when Im in Africa. Thank you for pushing me and believing in me.
To all of you — best of luck next year if you’re working for Corporate American or you are staying at SMU You all are amazing! Also thank you to Sloane and Caitlyn. You two are also amazing girls and this season wasn’t the same without you.
The one and only junior, Kate! You are a crazy lady on the field and someone I did not like having to face on the field. Best of luck next year!
Sophomores April, Cassie, Beth, Katie, Tessa, Teri, Kenzie and Miranda: April and Cassie, I am glad to have more WI and Milwaukee girls on the team. Thank you for deciding to play soccer this year I hope you girls had a blast because I have. Beth, Run hard and Run fast. Keep working hard. Beth, I remember when you ran the Creighton test freshman year I couldn’t believe what I saw and to you it was NO BIG DEAL! Tessa, YOU ARE CRAZY AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!! You are the BEST buddy I could have asked for. Thank you for pushing me to better and to work harder. You have thought me a lot little one and I am grateful. Teri, you are one funny girl that I have really enjoyed getting to know you this season. Katie, best of luck in your years to come, do not ever let someone tell you you’re too skinny or the wind will blow you over. Fight and prove them wrong. Kenzie, I have told you this time and time again but you are THE ONLY Kenzie I have ever liked. Best of luck next year you will always be an SMU girl to me Miranda, you are WICKED crazy!
Freshmen Mandy, Mari, Melissa and Mo Mo: Mandy, I hope you continue to smile and laugh no matter what. I don’t know if I ever saw you without a smile and that always made me want to smile no matter the mood I was in. Mari, I hope you will stay and play soccer next year; injuries are no fun but they happen and make us stronger in the end. Thank you for staying and supporting the team. Melissa you are a hard worker, who has many talents, for example 290 juggles... That’s sick! I have enjoyed getting to know you over these last 3 months. Work hard and good things will come. Mo Mo, you are one sick goalie who is amazing in the net and in the kitchen. You are way too hard on yourself, keep your head up and you will do amazing things. Girls you have so much time left at Saint Mary’s, remember to enjoy your time here over the next three years, you will never get it back.
To everyone else that I have met at SMU, the fans that have come and supported us and to my close friends THANK YOU! I have a blast the last four years and I will never forget the time I have shared here.
I will end the only way I know how to … with a OOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
