Four years ago I drove onto Saint Mary’s campus, two weeks before anyone else, not knowing anyone, and completely terrified about what was to come. Those terrified feelings only grew larger as I knew the next day was the first day of tryouts to become a Saint Mary’s Women’s soccer player. Walking to meet the team there were a million thoughts running through my head, what if none of the girls like me, what if I do really badly, and worst of all what if I don’t make the team. These thoughts were soon forgotten as all the women’s soccer players met me with open arms. I did not begin my journey as a SMU women’s soccer player alone however. There were nine other absolutely amazing freshman girls that began theirs as well. Since that first day of tryouts I have never looked back and it has been one of the most wonderful experiences that I have ever had. Meeting all of the great girls that have come through the women’s soccer program has been a joy. I have made so many friends that I will keep for a lifetime and I had experiences that have changed me and made me grow significantly these past four years. Playing collegiate soccer was one of my dreams since I was a little girl and I’m so glad that I got to live out that dream as a Saint Mary’s Cardinal. Thank you to everyone that has helped me live out my dream and made it absolutely amazing!
Mom and Dad—You two are the most incredible people that I have ever met. You have supported me in everything that I have ever wanted to do. From gymnastics, t-ball and playing baseball with the boys, basketball and soccer, to going to Saint Mary’s and changing my major like a million times. You always had faith in me that I could do anything that I set my mind to. Except, I still think I would have been a good hockey player, but nooooo, you didn’t let me do that! You both have been my biggest fans in whatever I have done, especially playing soccer at SMU. I know my first year at school was very difficult for you both, mostly because I was so miserable, but you always told me to keep pushing on and I’m so glad that you did that. You two are the reason why I never give up on anything. You have raised three wonderful, intelligent, and loving children and I know that’s not easy to do (especially having to raise me!). You two are my superheroes and I love you both more than words could ever describe. Thank you again for all that you do. Oh, and thank you for the most wonderful decision that you two have ever made……..RUSTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dan and Jenny—What up siblings…. To my hillbilly big brother, you’re pretty cool. You are the smartest person that I have ever met and I thank you for that because you always made grades in our house a competition. I always had to do better than you but sadly that rarely happened but it helped me a nerd and become a great student. Thanks for always coming to my games and cheering me on…..not! I know you had better, older brother things to do that seemed way better than going to your little sisters soccer game. I can’t always count on you to be at my games but I sure can count on you to fold me in half and carry me around the house, recruit Dad to gang up on me when you’re home, and to always know how to fix something, or maybe it’s break something! But true story, I look up to you more than you know and I’m so happy that you’re my big brother! Love you! To my little (big) sister Ben, it really doesn’t bother me that you’re 7 inches taller than me, people think you’re older and that you go to Saint Mary’s when you actually aren’t even out of high school yet, or that you have a better chance of getting onto roller coasters than I do. I have come to accept it! Thank you for never arguing that much when Mom and Dad forced you to come along to my games, it made me feel special to know that I had another fan watching me! I hope that I have been a good role model for you so that you can achieve all that you want. You are a truly amazing girl. You have so much going for you. You’re extremely smart and talented and have so many things going for you. Keep working hard and everything will fall into place. Thank you for always being there when I need someone to talk to even though you’re not very good at giving advice, I know you’re trying! You’re my buddy and I love you very much! P.S. Rusty likes me more, he told me.
Rusty— aka: Roo, Rust, Busty, Bus, Mr. Roo, Rooster Booster, Buddy. You’re pretty much a pimp. You are the only one that can put a smile on my face when I’m sad or mad and I can tell you all my secrets because you won’t tell anyone!! Literally, you can’t. I don’t do that though because that would kind of make me a little crazy! You’re the best dog that anyone could ever ask for and you have given our family so many good memories. For instance, you’re encounter with the skunk…thank you for making the house smell for a month! Garbage and counter surfing when we leave the house because you think it’s funny to see our reactions when we get home…thank you for creating a gigantic mess. Thank you for almost dying on the Fourth of July that one time that we were playing fetch with rocks and you decided to get hit in the head with one and decided to get knocked out and fall over, while I thought you swallowed the rock and we rushed you to the doggie ER…. Thank you for giving me a heart attack, real nice of you! Any who.. you’re the man and I love you unconditionally!
Rachel—You are one of a kind. You’re my best friends and I couldn’t ask for a better one. On the field or off you have always been there for me. Giving me advice, being there to talk to, or just to make me smile. We have had some great times together, our road trips together, NCIS and Grey’s, and just being us. I don’t think I have ever told you this but you are the reason why I stayed at Saint Mary’s for four years. I was really considering transferring until we became such good friends sophomore year. I decided not to transfer because I knew that I wouldn’t find a friend as great as you anywhere else. You have so much to look forward to in your life. You’re going to make a great archeologist (because I know that’s what you’re going to do!) Live your dream and do whatever you want because you can achieve anything you set your mind to. You have a heart filled with love and you show it to everyone. I looked up to you so much and I feel so lucky to have met you. Thank you for everything and anything that you have ever done for me. Actually, words can’t really describe how thankful I am to you. I love you Rach!
Ashley and KB—You two are CRAZY!! You guys lighten the mood of the team and have made these past four years a blast! You girls always know how to have a good time. Turns out that I didn’t know Ashley didn’t hate me until this year during the hot seat! Haha! I’m so glad that we got to travel this journey together. KB, good luck in the future with your job. You’re going to be a great working woman! You’ve worked hard and you deserve it. Ash, just keep being you. You’re bubbly, smart, and not to mention beautiful! You are going to have a successful future with whatever you choose to do! Love you both!
Kelsey Schneider—My random roommate! Who would have thought that a random roommate pairing could have turned into such a great friendship! I admire you dearly because you had the courage to do something that I don’t think I could ever do, moving so far away from home. You are one of the smartest persons I have ever met and one of the best soccer players that I have ever seen play. I’m so glad that you chose Saint Mary’s. You have been such an asset to the team since you arrived sophomore year. I know that I can always come to you with anything and I thank you for that! I will travel to Portland (maybe drive, I don’t know about flying) some day and come visit you! Love you Kels.
Cassie—My science buddy!! I don’t know how you do it sometimes. Juggling school and balls flying at you in the goal. I just don’t think I could do it! I know I can always count on you to be there to talk to and just to have a good time. Thank you for helping me master my French braiding! It was a great time. I’m so glad that we got to be kind of locker buddies this year…across the floor! Haha Keep doing what you’re doing because you seem so happy and I love to see you happy. Hugs, hugs! Love you!
Ellie—You were my first friend here on campus. You were so welcoming and you are still today. You are the social butterfly of the team and whenever I need to know something I just know to ask you because I know you will know! Thank god that we are going to be done with Brother Rod’s art classes after this year! That will be a relief. I’m so glad that you are on the 4th floor with me too! It’s less scary that way! Thanks for always being so positive and being a smile on the team. You’re awesome! Love you!
Sloane—I miss you lady! Come back to the U.S. Can’t wait to see you next year and watch you light up the score board!
To the juniors…..oh wait…to Kate—You are a beast in the back! Keep it up girl! You’re the best junior ever! You’re always so positive and always bringing people up and keeping them smiling. I love how we have all of our science classes together…and how we are confused about those classes together! I know you’re going to have a great senior year next year and you’re just going to light it up! Good luck in the future with everything you do. Loves ya lady.
Kenz—My “identical twin” sister….I don’t even know where to start. This past year we have become really close between our long road trips to St. Thomas to our study sessions of anatomy. Your bubbly, happy go lucky, loving personality is contagious and I know you make me a better person. I can honestly say that you are one of the best friends that I could ever ask for. Writing this salute has been the hardest because I know that I’m kind of actually saying goodbye to you (but not forever!). I don’t know what I’m going to do without you on campus. You are going to do wonderful at River Falls and you are going to have the best darn speech therapist that anyone has ever seen! I might just talk with a lisp just so that I can come and see you! We have had so many good times together and I can’t wait for more. “And we are……THE SHABOSS BOYS!!!”, “So….. WE’RE IN HELL!” Yeah, pretty sure I just laughed out loud, haha! You are such a great defender and soccer player. You have never given up and you still refuse to and I admire that about you. Keep doing what you love. You have so many things going for you. Oh…and I can’t wait to come visit you all the time!!! SO GET READY!!!!! I love you to infinity kenz!
Katie—Me: “So, are you like fast?” Katie: “Umm, I don’t want to sound into myself so I don’t know how to answer that.” Me: “You won’t sound into yourself, just say yes or no.” Katie: “Umm, yes I’m very fast.”
I will never forget that conversation. You’re right though, you are fast!! SO FAST! I’m so glad that you decided to come to Saint Mary’s after you visited. I kind of creeped on you just so that you would come here! I guess it worked! I love seeing your smiling face every day that I go to class and that I walk onto the soccer field. Keep up the good work with soccer. You are an amazing soccer player and you can take anyone on on the outside. Franklin (our dog) is so proud of you! Even though we cut his arm off! Ha. Keep up the good work in school as well. Who knows maybe we will see each other again in grad school! Yay PT! XoXo Love you girl!
April, Teri, Miranda Cole and Cassie K—You girls are going to be the Ashley and KB of the sophomore class. You orange personalities just know how to have a good time! April, it was so nice getting to know you this year. I know you had a rough start but you have done just an amazing job this year. Keep it up! Teri, keep running fast and taking on those defenders. Goals will come for you, I promise. Just a thought you…maybe you should invest in a watch…just saying! Haha Miranda, you always knew how to make me laugh at practice. You’re always so happy and you’re questions are hilarious! You always go hard no matter what and you never give up. That’s awesome so keep it up! Cassie, it was such a pleasure meeting you this year and getting to know you as well. These MIAC girls don’t know what is going to hit them when you’re on the outside! You have a wicked (Miranda) cross and you could outrun anyone. I enjoyed all your positivity while I was running the fitness tests! You were an awesome partner…especially when you would say you’d go first so I would know how I needed to run the test afterwards so that I could pass too! Good luck in the future girls.
Tessa and Beth—I love you two goof balls. Tessa, you are without a doubt the most one of a kind person I have ever met. Everything about you I love. You have such a great attitude and that will get you so far in life as well as in soccer. You keep everyone on their toes and positive. Thank you for being my chemistry tutor! You have no idea how happy I am when you actually make that class make sense to me! I am so appreciative of that. Keep creating art as well. You are an amazing artist and you need to show that off. Beth, just keep running, just keep running! I know things haven’t gone your way this year but trust me it will come. You are a great soccer player and your never give up attitude is the kind of attitude that you need to have. I loved playing with you up top. You are always working so hard and it’s great to see. Both of you keep being smart and keep playing hard! Good luck and I love you!
Freshman girls—I know that our time together hasn’t been that long but I’m so glad that all of you are SMU women’s soccer players. You ladies represent what we are as a team so well and you’re going to do wonderful things your four years here. Each and every one of you has given 110% during every practice and every game and I don’t know what anyone else could ask for. These four years sure do go fast so please enjoy them. Live it up and have a great time! Being on the soccer team was one of the greatest experiences that I have ever had so I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have. Good luck in the future with whatever you all decide to do. I know you will all succeed and do amazing things.
Coach Neil—You have brought this team into a whole new dimension. We couldn’t have asked for a better coach this season. Even though we didn’t get the record we wanted your constant positivity has been inspiring and has kept us keeping on. You have a wonderful talent, coaching. Thank you for having the confidence in me to play me in different positions. Having that confidence in me has made me gain some of my own confidence, which is greatly needed. Your door is always open and you’re always willing to talk and that was great! I utilized that probably more than you would have liked! But again, thank you for everything that you have done for this team and for this program. I know you are going to do great things for the Saint Mary’s Women’s Soccer Program.
Coach Halberg—Thank you for all of the positivity and tips that you have given me over these past four years. You always reminded me that I wasn’t the biggest person in the whole entire world but that I had ways of getting around that. You have always had confidence in me as well and I appreciate that. You are a great coach and your love for Manchester United almost matches your love for Saint Mary’s Soccer. Thank you for everything.
Coach Jen—It has been a complete pleasure meeting you this year. It’s nice to have a coach that we can shoot balls at in the goal and not fear hurting them! You’re a great goalie and coach. It was so nice having a girl coach for once too…..like seriously, you have no idea! Ha. Oh and you can be sure that I will be coming to you with math questions….calc sucks…and so will physics… get ready!! Thanks for everything!
So, now that I have written my salute to everyone … SEE YA NEXT YEAR SMU AND SOCCER LADIES!!! (bring it on year 5 … and physics!) |
