Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Everyone always says, “Man, I can’t believe it has already been four years,” and how the time flies, and I can’t convey how true that really is. While you are living the experience, it is extremely hard to fully appreciate what is going on around you and view the bigger picture. Soccer has been in my life since I can remember and it has shaped me into who I am today. Not only has this game taught me drive, perseverance, and how to win and lose gracefully, but also it has taught me so many life lessons. Soccer has shown me how important collaboration is and what is possible when a group of individuals put their minds together to reach a common goal. It taught me to own up to my mistakes and do everything in my power to right my wrong and learn from them It has reminded me that working hard and helping a teammate fix a mistake they made is the only way to rise up as a team. Everyone makes mistakes and it’s not the mistake that defines you but how you react after that defines a person, which is just like a soccer game. You don’t have to be flawless and make no mistakes to win a game, you just have to work hard to correct the mistakes you and your team make and use them to better yourself and the Team. It has been a pleasure to be apart of this team for the last four years and see the growth that has occurred. It is easy to get down and give up when it gets hard but what’s hard is to fight to the death believing it will get better. Through out this experience I have had so many people who have helped and supported me along the way and simply thanking them in my senior salute is not enough to show my gratitude, but it’s a start.
    
I would like to first acknowledge my parents, extended family and siblings for supporting me through it all. For taking me to all my games and cheering for me on the sideline to putting up with my soccer temper and calming me down after a tough loss. You guys are my rock and I can’t put into words how instrumental you have been.
    
I would next like to thank the coaching staff I have had throughout my life and especially here at Saint Mary’s. Thank you for investing your time into me and believing in me as a player. It is a great feeling to know someone believes in your abilities and wants the best for you.
    
And of course a big thanks goes out to my teammates. Each and every one of you has had an impact on my life and I have made some life long friendships throughout my soccer journey.
    
Freshmen: I have appreciated your presents on this team and you have brought a level of dedication and life to this team that has brought us closer together as a team family. Remember to always pick each other up and keep rising to the obstacles you face, but most importantly HAVE FUN!! It does go by quick and at the end of the day it’s the laughs and good times that stay with you for years to come.
    
Sophomores: You guys are an extremely close nit group of girls and that is so awesome to see! Every one of you has each other’s back and treats your friend’s triumphs as your own which is honestly moving.  You guys have created a great support system and have been a major factor in this teams success.
    
Juniors: Man oh man have we had some good times. Thank you for making my soccer career her at Saint Mary’s a great one.
    
ANNA: Thank you for giving me someone to look up to. Your drive and love for this sport is inspirational. You don’t take no for an answer and know that you can achieve anything you set your mind to and that will take you far it life. You are hilarious and always make practice a good time.
    
EMMA: Man are you a superstar! You are so calm and collected on the field its nuts! Watching you play is memorizing and I sometimes get to caught up in your footwork to remember we are in a game and I should probably make a run. Enjoy your senior year here and keep up your unbelievable composer.
    
AUBRIE: There is so much to say I don’t even know were to begin. Not only are you an unbelievable goalie but you are an unbelievable friend as well. You have always had my back on and off the field. Whether its when I make a mistake and let a girl get a shot off or get lost in London you are there to help me and have my back. I thank soccer for introducing me to you and look forward to all the wonderful memories we still have to come!
    
ELLEN: ELLEN ELLEN ELLEN ELLEN ( in that ALLEN voice from the video). I honestly think you are the one person that gets the most grief from me and man have you handled it well! I seem to find myself making fun of you the most at practice but you sure know how to dish it right back haha. You keep practice interesting and fun that way and always test me limits. You are an extraordinary center back and have the moves like Jagger!
    
MARISSA: Thank you for being my sounding board this last year and helping me put things in perspective. You have a good head on your shoulders and an extremely kind heart. You bring a great aspect to this team by playing with all your heart and leaving everything out on the field. Thank you for always giving 100% at practice and lifting the team’s spirits by congratulating yourself on scoring a goal as you attempt for the ball!
    
BRIDGETT: You are very good at shielding a defender off the ball and man do you have one heck of a shot! You know how to work well with your other forward and play off of their movement. I will miss your infectious laugh next year and wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors.
    
Seniors: What a crazy ride it has been this last four years. We started out with double digits and now we are down to us six. There have definitely been ups and downs and I think we could all agree that losing all the time is not fun and probably why a good chunk of our freshman class didn’t make it to this point, but that’s not what it has been about for me. The fun came from the support you guys offered and the strength in knowing we were all in it together.  No matter what the outcome we learned how to take a positive out of everything and enjoy the wonderful game of soccer.
    
CAROL: you eat breath and live soccer and are probably the poster child for the perfect teammate. You are always making sure the team is doing well and going above and beyond to make this team great! You are the first on the field and the last to leave and are extremely passionate towards the game of soccer. You work your ass of in games and stop at nothing to get your cross off. It has been a pleasure playing with you these last 4 years and I know you have a promising future ahead of you!
   
KELLI:  You always have the teams best interest in mind and are willing to play any position that will benefit the team the most. You are an extremely versatile player and can be thrown in to any position and you will still own the field. You are not an easy defender to get around and are very patient in defense.
    
BRI: My fellow Coloradan! I can’t believe we made it here to be honest. From freshman year to now our friendship has always been strong and it is so cool to see how far we have come! From tiny abnormally tan freshman to stressed out biology majoring seniors it has been a journey to say the least. Soccer has been the foundation in our friendship and practice is always great when you’re around. You have a unique since of humor and know how to make soccer fun while still taking it seriously and getting what needs to be done completed. Your vision of the field is remarkable and you are great at anticipating where your teammates will be in order to play exceptional through balls. I look forward to hearing about your next life journey and doing some camping in good old Colorado!
    
KATIE: If only I could count the number of times we have got in trouble together on my two hands I would be one happy women. Whether its putting Bengay on the toilet seats, jumping up and down on a balcony over coaches head or tripping each other at practice we always have something up are sleeve. The amount of crazy ideas we come up with together is nuts! And what’s even more is we tend to think they are a brilliant idea until after we do them. But you know what I wouldn’t want it any other way. I couldn’t imagine not having you on the team to keep up with my crazy self and make me feel a little saner. You dominated the middle of the field and know how to take a girl out. You never miss a header and always sacrifice your body for the ball. Keep on being you because the world is at your fingertips and anything you set your mind to you will achieve!
    
VIVIAN: You have had 2 glorious years on the field and three superb years on the team. You play off of others very well and are always giving your teammates good angels to pass to. You have a very good shot and know when to take it. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and giving you grieve these past years. Nebraska is actually a pretty cool place even though I rag on you about it all the time. I know you will do great in at your next school and I will miss your witty comments!