Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Seniors – Wow!! Can you believe that this is your last year, I certainly cannot!! The time has flown by and I honestly wish that this was not your senior year! You were my first recruiting class and will always hold a very special place in my heart. You all have had such a tremendous impact on our program and I believe Bri said it the best when she said she felt that she has played for two different programs. You have shaped the way that our program will be from this point forward. The dedication, selflessness, commitment, perseverance and never give up attitude are what this program has become and you all led the way! I am looking forward to keeping in touch and seeing what wonderful things you do in the world, it is certainly going to be a better place with you all in it! I am proud to have been called your coach and I will cherish the memories of these four years for a lifetime!!

Vivian Johnson
Our ‘early’ senior! I remember your visit like it was yesterday. I was so impressed that you knew what you wanted in life before coming to Saint Mary’s. What made me even happier was knowing that we offered the major that you were interested in. I know you will be very successful as a radiologist and I hope that you get into Mayo, so that you can still be around! Your impact on this team has been evident from day one, you have committed to making this a better program and you have succeeded! You were pretty shy first year, but after that you’re amazing personality shone through and it has been amazing getting to know you! I want to thank you for choosing Saint Mary’s and wish you the best of success in life. Thank you for everything you have done for the Saint Mary’s Women’s Soccer Program.

Emily Donohoue
Our first commitment from Colorado!! I could not believe that you drove to see us from Colorado, but I am glad that you did and I was even more ecstatic when you committed to Saint Mary’s! I know you worked hard to get back into soccer after tearing your ACL and for that, thanks! You played out of position the first couple of years at left back and I know that you did that for the betterment of the team and what was best for them. I am excited to see you become a PT and I know you will put your heart and soul into achieving that dream. The way you play is going to be missed, I am sure other teams now know to not go into a 50/50 with you, heck even I know not to do that. Your passion for the game is clear as is your passion for your team mates. You do things that help them that at times go unnoticed by everyone, but know I do see them. I wish you the best for graduate school and Thank you for everything you have done for the Saint Mary’s Women’s Soccer Program.

Brianna Ashmore
Bri, our second player from Colorado! Thank you for choosing Saint Mary’s as your home away from home! I know your first year was a very tough year, but you stuck with it, came through it and became a major force to be reckoned with! You have to be one of the toughest people that I know; if Bri goes down then it must be serious!! Thankfully it is a very rare occurrence. You have put your body on the line for the team; the cast you are wearing know shows that. You are an unassuming person that is there for everyone. With you, it is about the team and you have been an integral part of building our culture. You are a quiet leader, but trust me, you do lead and others cannot help but follow. I look forward to seeing what is in store for you after Saint Mary’s, and I know without doubt that you will achieve what you want. Good luck and thank you for everything you have done for the Saint Mary’s Women’s Soccer Program.

Katie Slaght
When you said that Saint Mary’s was for you immediately after your visit, I was excited! Let’s just say the next year was not the greatest; however, the silver lining was that you chose Saint Mary’s again! You are the most personable and approachable person on our team and that is a great trait to have unless you are on a train station in Chicago on your way to the airport for our trip to England. I have really enjoyed getting to know you and chatting with you about your life, dreams and ambitions! You are the rock of our defense and I know if there ever is a 1v1 battle that you will always come out the winner. You are the epitome of our family values and make everyone feel welcome, from first years to recruits. Marketing will be a great choice of career as I have yet to meet one person that you do not get on with, you are just nice!! I wish you luck and if you ever need to chat things through then do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for everything you have done for the Saint Mary’s Women’s Soccer Program.

Kelli Harstad
I was meeting with Momo at the soccer fields in Rochester when I saw you play against one of the RYSA teams. I think it was meant for you to come to Saint Mary’s. I knew that you were the type of personality we were looking for when you spent hours on your visit helping Kate get things ready for senior day. The selflessness that you have showed is outstanding! You have played every position except outside mid and goalie (there is time yet ?); you are always putting the team first and whatever is good for the team is good for you! Being named captain your senior year was justification of your team first attitude! You saw where we wanted to be and was willing to be a part of the journey to get there. I am also really hoping that you get into the Mayo program that you want! You will be amazing in whatever life has in store for you!! Thank you for everything you have done for the Saint Mary’s Women’s Soccer Program.

Caroline Blackwood
From that first conversation in late January and the weekly conversations after, I knew that you were meant to be at Saint Mary’s. To be named a captain your sophomore year and every year after that speaks volumes! You literally have left everything on the field and are a great example of what a member of our team should strive to be. Starting every game since your freshman year is something you should be very proud of. You are a leader both on and off the field and it is going to be tough to replace what you have brought as a person and captain. To say that I think there are great things in store for you is an understatement. You go after life, and you will be rewarded with all the things that you deserve, even if it involves shoes ?. You have shaped this program into what it is today and believed in what we are trying to accomplish both on and off the field. Thank you for your dedication and commitment, and thank you for everything you have done for the Saint Mary’s Women’s Soccer Program. (ps, don’t forget my invitation).

Seniors – This is not a farewell or a good bye, you all started our Saint Mary’s family and will be a part of it forever. You all stuck with and shaped the beliefs of this program and the successes we are having fall in large part to you shaping what we have become. We will continue to strive to be the best we can and will make you proud to call Saint Mary’s Women’s Soccer your family. Your family will always be here for you!!