Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Are we being honest? ;) If so, then I can’t believe I’ve made it this far. Soccer has been a part of my life as long as I can remember, but what a roller coaster it has been. I never intended on coming to Saint Mary’s, or to even playing soccer in college until I got a call from coach (Neil) the last week of high school asking if I’d be interested. I didn’t know what I was doing with my life so I figured … why not? This is a choice I’ve questioned more times than I can count, and as many of you know, this has not been an easy four seasons for me. So through all the hard times, the good times, and everything in between, there are (more than) a few people I want to say thank you to for being there from me throughout my time here at Saint Mary’s.
    
The most important people in my life: my parents. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, the unconditional love you’ve provided for me, all the support you’ve given me, and all the hardships on and off the field you have helped me through. There is no way I would still be playing this year if it wasn’t for you. I can’t thank you enough. I could write you pages of thank you’s and it still wouldn’t be enough. Love you :)
    
To my brothers: Thank you for supporting me when you could. I know you have busy lives and my games aren’t priorities, but I want you to know that the times I saw you on the sidelines supporting me were probably the happiest moments of my soccer career. You have no idea how much I’ve always looked up to you both and admire how you’ve handled everything you have been through. You will always be my idols! Love you all! Harmon, My nephew. Thank you for coming to games when you could. I hope to come to as many of your games as I can because I know how important it is to you. Thank you for dragging me out of the house to stay active whether we play soccer, basketball, football, or baseball. Keep practicing bud, it will take you far! Rory-I know you can’t read this/won’t understand, but thank you for pushing me through my fitness tests this summer, and always making sure I get my cardio in even if it is just doing sprints up and down the hall ;) I love you! And of course to the rest of my family for supporting me and coming to my games from the time I started playing.
    
Coaches:
Neil- Thank you for always being here for me throughout the years. I appreciate all the feedback you have given me, and all the knowledge, and concern, you have shared with me. It’s been an interesting four years here at Saint Mary’s but I’m glad I could watch you grow the program. I was your first recruit, and it’s crazy to think back to my freshman year. Things have changed so much! Thank you for your care and support. It means a lot! Halberg … Silver Fox-Thank you for all your positive insight. You are so passionate about your job and we all know and appreciate that. I couldn’t imagine the past seasons or England without you! Thank you for your support and getting me through the rough patches. Jen- thanks for working with me in the beginning! I wish you could have stayed longer to help! You’re a big reason I’m known as “Momo” here because that one practice when you mentioned it was the last I’d be called “Miranda” but I’m okay with that. Frank- I don’t really know you too well, but thanks for helping out this year!
    
To coach Poe, & Dave Foreman: You have been the most positive influence in my soccer years. You always encouraged me and kept soccer enjoyable.
    
FUSION: To the girls that made some of my soccer days the best days of my life, suffering through practices, excelling through camp, killing it at state with only 8 players … Thanks for keeping me sane. Poe, Nicole, Kaitlyn, & Bailey, thank you for letting me vent to you. Thanks for being the great friends you are.
    
To the alumni that brought me in: I don’t think you realize how important you have been to me. I looked up to you as you introduced me to the college life and treated me like a younger sister helping me get on my way.  My seniors especially, Amanda, Kelsey, Kelsey(KB), Ashley, Elle, Rachel, and Cassie you are all wonderful people and college soccer hasn’t been the same since you left. I miss you each of you as well as the enthusiasm and competition you brought to the game every time I step on the field. I want you to know how thankful I am to have met you all and how you impacted my experience here at SMU. Love you all! P.S. Thanks for tying my shoes when I was just a little freshmen… ;)
    
Miranda, April, Kenzie, Beth, Tessa, Kate, Katie, Sloane, Cassie K, and Teri:I also want to thank you for welcoming me to SMU. I don’t know how I would have survived without your all of your fun personalities. I enjoyed getting to know you all on and off the field. Mir, Beth, & April, I still remember our first hot seat…& Tessa, I’m so glad you we were able to experience the greatness of India together! nandri. I wish you the best in everything you do and I know you will all be successful with your personalities. Love you, and don’t forget about me ;) <3 heidi:="" i="" remember="" when="" i="" first="" met="" you="" it="" was="" on="" the="" lacrosse="" field.="" i’m="" so="" glad="" you="" decided="" to="" play!="" it="" was="" a="" tough="" two="" years="" for="" us="" but="" i’m="" glad="" you="" were="" a="" part="" of="" my="" team.="" thank="" you="" for="" everything="" you’ve="" done="" for="" me="" and="" truly="" becoming="" one="" of="" my="" best="" friends.="" i="" couldn’t="" imagine="" the="" past="" two="" years="" without="" you!="" miss="" you="" captain="" heidi-pants!="">
    
My fellow freshmen … Mel, Mandy, & Mari- I don’t know if any of you will read this, but if you do, thank you for the time we spent together on and off the field. I remember our first day on campus, and I was so nervous..but I’m glad we all shared those nerves. Mel- I hope everything is going well for you in your triathlons and school! I’ve always admired your hard work! Mandy- You became my best friend through soccer, and became the shoulder I could lean on and my go-to person. I know you will be successful because you are so passionate and dedicated. Thank you for everything! Mari- I know we only spent one year together, but I still miss you and wish you would have came back, I hope to see you again someday!!
    
Juniors:
We have had a couple rough seasons together, but it’s been great watching you girls grow and become leaders on the team. Carol-How would you have got through art foundations without me? It was great getting to know you in classes as well as on the field. Your skills in soccer, communications, and great fashion style will take you wherever you want! Keep smiling and working hard! Kelli- I love being around you! You make practices more bearable at times when common sense is lacking…I always know I can count on you to deal with my eye roll. You’re so knowledgeable about the game and I think you’d make a great coach someday! From my defense to forward, and you’re still killin’ it. Katie- Where do I even start? You always have me laughing by those little comments you make. I’m so jealous you’re going to Australia without me! I always have a good time with you whether its at soccer or in class! Thanks for saving my butt on defense these past years! Bri- I’m so glad we chose to live together this year! I’ve enjoyed your company and upbeat personality! Your dedication to soccer is very admirable. Keep being awesome! We’ve had too many good times to recall in a couple sentences. Emily- ED! I’ll never forget our synchronized swimming dance your freshman year … Your signature “stir the pot” move gets me every time. I couldn’t picture the last couple seasons without you.
    
Savannah- Thanks for always being so understanding! You always pushed yourself to your limits, and gave 110%. You are now a part of my family and always will be. Keep your head up and remember that you deserve the best! “Eye-roll” ;) Love you girl Erika-I’ve missed you on the team this year, but I know you’ve been keeping busy. Keep doing you and you are always welcome to my house for Mama Val’s meat loaf.
    
To those of you that played for part of a season, one, or two years, I had a great time getting to know each of you. I’m glad you can say SMU soccer was a part of your college experience even if it was only for part of a season. Keep following your passions and don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do! I hope soccer was a positive experience for you here.
    
Sophomores:
I was so intimidated by you all when on that first day. It’s been fun to watch you guys open up and I could probably listen to you guys interact all day. I envy the relationship your grade has.
    
Ellen- I can always count on you. We are true teammates-because nothing that happens on the field transfers over off the field…we literally just laugh about it.. Mama Mo always has your back girl.. ALWAYS ;) MAR- I love how positive and happy you always are. You always try your best and it is obvious to me that you love the game. Keep a smile on your face and 15 alarms set within 20 minutes and you will be set for life ;) Emma- I’m obsessed with the way you play. I could watch you dangle by people all day. You’re so calm, and nonchalant about everything both on and off the soccer field and I really enjoy that about you. You’re going to have to keep everyone in check when I’m gone. Viv- I used to think you were so quiet … then you started talking and you are hilarious. I was so impressed when you could play. I remember your first indoor practice back and saw how well you and Emma played together I knew this would be a great year. Anna-An … You are something else. You’re going to have to find a new workout buddy next year.. I’ve absolutely loved getting to know you. You always have me laughing, and I know I can trust you. I’m always here for you!  Sarah A-I knew I could always count on you to make sure we had the right number of people on the field, the right number in groups..why? Because you’re a math major! You are so down to earth, a hard-worker, and never negative. It’s very refreshing to be around you! Alicia- I wish I could watch you play! But I’m so glad you chose to still be a part of the team. You’re the realest person I know and I’m glad we became close last year. If you ever need anything I’m always here! Bridgett-  You are such a hard worker and always want to improve. You always push the team as well to get better. Your laugh is contagious, and I’m still jealous of your eye-lashes. Bree-  I wasn’t sure if I should include you here.. or with the freshmen..but either way, I’m so glad you chose to come to SMU! You are so fun and a great person to be around. I feel like I’ve known you forever!
    
Freshmen:
There are so many of you, this may take a while … but you’re worth it. I’ve enjoyed each and everyone of you and am so happy I got to know each of you. You all have such wonderful personalities and brought a great atmosphere to the team. I hope you all keep playing and working hard because I know you will get the results you’ve wanted in the upcoming years. I know I can count on each one of you to give me some sort of sassy comment … everyday … multiple times … but hey, I guess that means you feel welcomed!
    
Mariah- I’m glad you chose to come to SMU! You’re always smiling! I remember getting to know you at our first “hot seat”. Stay strong :) Rina- You are such a sweetheart! You work so hard in games and at practice despite your small stature. I won’t forget your comment that made everyone turn and say “who just said that”. Sarah Egbert- MY little buddy! I hope I didn’t scare ya coming in! You are a strong player, so I can only imagine how you will be when your leg is fully healed! You remind me of myself as a freshman—it’s been great seeing you become more outgoing! LOOF- What would we do without ya? You have shown you can compete, so keep it up! “What’s a Loof?” Thank you for your passion for the game. Rachel- My little sister! I loved getting to know you over the summer, and into the season. I’m glad we have become so close, and I appreciate you always being there for me! I can’t believe we never really met despite being your captain on the “most awesome day of Captain’s practice ever” … my idea ;) Sofia- You are a feisty one! It’s fun to watch you play—you don’t let anyone get in your way. I love your attitude, and keep working hard! Jordan- Okay, your rap though? That’s when I knew we would get along. You don’t stop for anyone and soon your hard work will pay off. We haven’t talked much towards the end of the season, but I love that you always come to practice with a smile on your face and are ready to work. Marissa-Riss- Our little Canadian! You’re lucky I’m nice and share my doorway with you ;) I’m so proud of how well you have been doing in the outside back! Keep working hard and you will be successful in the upcoming years! Molly- We haven’t talked a whole lot this year but I do know, that with your slight Texan accent, you definitely add to the daily conversation of “Bag” vs “Baaaaaag”. Abby- You have really proved yourself as a center back! I feel comfortable with you back there. Your concussion was a small set back but I know you’ll come back even stronger! Maddie Schlie- I’m bummed I didn’t get to see you play much this year. But I’m glad you were still a part of the team. Your support means a lot and thank you for being yourself! I know I can always sit down and chat with you and it won’t be awkward. Analiese- I still love your tattoo. You have just the right amount of sassiness. I’m still getting used to seeing you off crutches, but I’m glad you are and have been a part of my team. Anakaren- thank you for being a part of the team! I’m glad you decided to play! You are so quiet that you wouldn’t expect your sarcastic comments, but needless to say, you sass me just like the rest of the team does.
    
Fellow Goalies:
    
Cassie, thanks for taking me in as your little goalkeeper. I was so nervous coming in and I couldn’t have asked for a better person to spend my practices by.I learned from the best and now I always claim seniority now and send the other gk’s to the far goal ;)
    
Katie D- For that year we played together, I had a great time getting to know you! Thanks for all your support, hard work, and positive energy.
    
Aubrie- You are living our dream this year getting to play forward! I know it’s not by choice, but I still know you’re going to get a goal. We had so much fun last year in goal together. Especially our “Reasons to Date a Goalkeeper” list.
    
Victoria- V! We’ve had fun this year! You are a great keeper and are going to do well. You are always working hard and always encouraging. I hope I do the same for you! Keep working hard and progressing and singing while doing it. I’m glad I could be your pseudo “Mom” this year.
    
Sarah Sieracki, Pterodactyl…Gets me every time. We’ve had a lot of great times in our goalie sessions. Next year, You will be able to send the freshman goalie to the other goal ;)
    
Lastly, SONICS! The u11 girls I coached this past summer. You really taught me how to enjoy soccer again. The enthusiasm you showed at practice, the desire to get better, and the sassy comments you gave me that I gave you right back reminded me of why I always played. You reminded me of the 11 year version of me who just wanted to play and get Dairy Queen after games, with dreams of playing soccer forever. Thank you for teaching me that although I’ll be done playing soccer competitively, soccer will always be a part of me because coaching has become a new passion. “Beat ‘em Bust ‘em” Girls!
    
To everyone I’ve played with, thank you for supporting me, joking with me, listening to me, and understanding my frustrations. Thank you for being there through the good tears and the bad tears. Like I said, it’s been quite the roller coaster but I wouldn’t want to ride it with anyone else. I hope you all know I am always here for you for anything you need. You’ve all become like my sisters..both older and younger that I’ve never had and I appreciate it more than anything. Work hard in everything you do and I know you will be successful.

Love you all,
Momo, Mo, Mama Mo, Mom… (Whichever you prefer)
    
Keep on Keepin’ On <>