After my first day of preseason with the Saint Mary’s women’s soccer team, I knew I was a part of something special. It’s hard for me to imagine that four seasons have already gone by; it feels like just yesterday I was sitting in Skemp hall after midnight eating popcorn with Kenzie Carlson. The early memories I have playing for Saint Mary’s are the memories I’ll hold close to my heart for the rest of my life. It was the beginning of something great, and I can’t believe it’s already over.
There are a lot of special memories that I would like to take the time to write down and share, but I feel as though it would be too much to read, and the words I would choose probably wouldn’t properly express their true value to me. The friendships, bonds, and memories that were made with my teammates, along with some of guys on the men’s team, are life-long and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. I would like to dedicate this salute to them, as well as take this opportunity to mention and thank several of them.
To Rachel Gates-Vickery, I definitely need to thank you first! If I hadn’t given Saint Mary’s a second chance and agreed to stay overnight on a recruit visit with you and your roommates, I definitely would not have committed. You and Amanda Rahman were so sweet and welcoming, and I found your guys’ dedication to soccer truly inspiring. The way you all talked about your teammates was like you were talking about your sisters, and I remember thinking how lucky I would be if I ever got to be a part of something like that. You’ve always been and always will be someone I look up to. You’ve always been there for me, especially towards the end of this last season when I’ve needed you the most. I can’t tell you how much your support means to me, and how much it’s helped me get through some difficult times. I love you!
To Kelsey Brown and Ashley Gernes, AKA Kashly. I’m sorry to group you guys together, but your “couple nickname” is just too cute! I’ve never really had the opportunity to tell either of you this, but I’ve always looked up to you two as well. Maybe not in the way we spent some of our weekends (haha sorry), but in your core values—especially loyalty. Everyone knew that if they had been badly fouled during a game, one (if not both) of you would be right there looking for a way to get whoever it was back. The same concept applied off the field. I always knew that both of you had my back. You guys taught me what it truly means to be part of a team, and how your teammates can really become your family.
To Kelsey Schneider. Even though you’re all the way in Oregon, I’m so happy that we’ve kept in touch as much as we have. You’re always there for me when I need honest advice or just someone to vent to. During our time on the team together, I just want to say that I loved playing with you. I’ve never told you this, but I’ve learned so much from just watching you play. Not only were you obviously super talented, but you were always so confident and sure of yourself while you played and that’s something I really admire. I miss you so much, and I can’t wait until I get the opportunity to visit you and go with you to a Timbers’ game! Keep Portland weird ;)
To Momo and Heidi. You two are absolute dolls! You have been such good friends to me and I love you both! Mo, you better play next year so you can get the senior section of the locker room all to yourself. You could probably live down there if you wanted to… you’d have your own room, tons of storage space, two bathrooms, six showers, I mean the list just goes on! Anyway you both have really been there for me, and I hope you know that I will always be here for both of you.
To Savannah. I’m so happy that you decided to come to Saint Mary’s after your recruit visit with me. We had so much fun and I knew right away that you would be such an important and valued addition to the team. You’re so smart and such a good person in general. Playing the role of captain is a very fitting position for you, and I hope you’ll continue to captain during your next two years. You are also someone that has always been there for me, and I hope that you know that I will always be here for you too.
To Matt Graber and Zach Palma. I wanted to put you guys in my senior salute because not only do I consider myself the number one fan for the guys’ team (haha), I also value your friendships so much! Both of you really understand how important soccer is to me, and were always there to listen and offer advice when I needed it. After a tough loss, I could always expect a simple text saying sorry, a pat on the back when you saw that I was upset after a game, a hug later on that week, or just letting me know that I’m not crazy haha. I hope both of you know that I love you guys and will always be here for you! We have some awesome memories and I will hold on to them forever.
To my beautiful mom, my incredible dad, and my four amazing brothers Charlie, Danny, Michael, and Matthew. I love you all so much. I’m actually at a bit of a loss for words as I’m trying to summarize everything I want to say to you all in my senior salute. I want to write so much, but I think I need to keep this as short and as sweet as possible haha. Mom and Dad, the letter you wrote and the presentation you put together for me at our senior night is something that I will hold close to me for the rest of my life. We aren’t the most affectionate of families, so keeping a straight face and stopping myself from crying was pretty challenging haha. Everything you said was so thoughtful and sincere, and I want you both to know how much I appreciate and love you. You two, as well as the boys, have been a solid support system throughout my entire soccer career. Mom, thanks for signing me up for every sport available to me as a kid. Most importantly, thanks for making me stick with soccer at age five when I said that I hated it. Dad, thanks for helping me work through/manage my overly passionate and fiery personality. You’re right; I do get it from you! Even though I consider us a “hockey family,” every one of you has taken an interest in and supported my love for soccer. Not to single you out bud, but Matthew (AKA Chewb), you’re a pretty talented kid. Playing at the top of one of the U9 soccer clubs in the Twin Cities at age seven isn’t an accident. I guess having your older siblings beat up on you all the time is paying off! I can see that you share the same love for soccer as me, and I will be there for you every step of the way as you’re just starting your soccer career. Without all of you, I would have never been able to even pursue my dream of playing in college. I owe it all to you, and I love you all so much!
Playing soccer at Saint Mary’s has been full of ups and downs, but I would be lying if I said that I haven’t learned so much over the past four years. The physical part of soccer has always been on the easier side of things for me: If you sprain an ankle you can tape it up, if you make a mistake you can fix it the next chance you get, or if you get knocked around you can work harder to get stronger. The constant learning and adapting to the game has been a great learning experience, and I feel as though this program has really helped me improve since my first day of preseason. The mental part however, is its own game and something I’m still working on. I’ve learned to accept the things I can’t control and move on from them faster. Overall, this was an experience that I will never forget, and something I will take with me wherever I go in life. Thanks to all of the girls who I have ever played with, the coaching staff, and our awesome fans. You all mean a lot to me, and I owe each and every one of you for all of the opportunities and experiences I got to have here.
Love, Katie |
