I would just like to start off by saying that I am sorry for how long this is about to be and for how poorly written it is. As an accounting major, I haven’t had to do much writing and it shows. Whenever someone has asked me if I like soccer or basketball better, I have always responded that I like them the same—but for different reasons. That has been a lie. Soccer has always been my favorite (sorry Coach P). I just love the game. Soccer has served as an outlet for me throughout my entire life. When I am out on the field all the worries disappear. Soccer has made the bad days easier and the good days that much better. Even though during my time here our record has been less than impressive (13-53-2 to be exact), I have enjoyed every moment of it. It is through this team that I have found my best friends and I wouldn’t trade that for the world. I have a lot of people to thank for making my making my 18 years of soccer unforgettable so here goes nothing.
Mom and Dad, thank you so much for your endless love and support over the years. You guys always stressed the importance of having fun with sports, and for that I am extremely grateful. Mom: Even though I know you wish I would’ve quit a long time ago for my body’s sake, you have either been in attendance or following online for nearly every game, thank you. I am pretty sure the only reason people have liked being on my team is because they know that means they get to have your famous Mac and Cheese. Thank you for all of the time you have given to my teams over the years. Dad: Your understanding of soccer has come a long way. You have gone from not knowing that a thing such as a corner kick existed to giving me surprisingly insightful soccer advice. I can’t wait to watch Henry and Audrey’s games with you over the next few years and over analyze everything.
Henry: You probably won’t see this, but I am so proud of you, and not just because of the impressive soccer player you’ve become. Every person that knows you can’t help but rave to me about how good of a kid you are. Don’t let college change that. Audrey: I love you girl. Thank you for always being up for a Davannis date night, a big bowl of ice cream, and eating basically any other food that Mom disapproves of. I am sorry that we left you alone with Mom and Dad, you know you’re welcome to come escape to SMU anytime you need.
My aunts, uncles, cousins, great-aunts, stand-in grandparents and grandparents: You guys are amazing. You have no idea how much it means to me that you guys take the time to follow my games. I would like to take the time to apologize for all of the times I have asked for fundraising money from you guys. You were always incredibly generous, thank you.
Mr. Midura: There aren’t many elementary gym teachers that will follow their students’ athletics through college. You have had a tremendous impact on my life, one that I will never be able to put in to words. Thank you.
Donny: Thank you for everything these last four years. I am sorry for all the times I have made your life more difficult. You are amazing at your job, Saint Mary’s is so lucky to have you.
Athletic Trainers: Thanks for all you guys do to keep us healthy. I know we are incredibly high maintenance and you guys put up with a lot of sass from us. Eric: I am sorry that you’re stuck with me for another 4 months. Thanks for listening to all of my problems – sport related or not.
Faculty: The support I have received from the faculty has been incredible. Thank you for wishing me good luck, asking me how the season is going, for the congrats when we win and the encouragement when we lose. You guys are a big part of what make the SMU community so special.
Basketball team: Thank you for all the games you guys came to, I can’t imagine they were that enjoyable for you. As sad as I am about soccer being over, I am so excited to get back out on the court with you all. Let’s make it a great season.
To the Saint Mary’s Women’s Soccer Family: It has been a crazy ride. We have had a lot of ups and downs but no matter what we come back fighting harder than before. Thank you to everyone for making these last 4 years of soccer the best of my life. I have had an absolute blast.
Kelli: I miss you so much. I am so thankful that SMU brought us together. Once I am back in Roseville, we are going to need to make Ol’ Mexico dates a regular thing. Thank you for continuing to support us even after graduating, it really does mean a lot. I love looking over and seeing your face on the sidelines, it calms me.
Carol: I miss playing those through balls to you down the line. I even miss your shriek every time you were open on the wing. More than anything though, I miss getting to talk to you every day. You are such an impressive individual, I am honored to say I even know you. Congrats on the new big girl job.
Viv: Thank goodness you chose Mayo over UNMC. If you were in Nebraska I don’t know what I would do. I am so mad that it took us until the England and Ireland trip to realize we were meant for each other. I find it hilarious that anytime we hang out in a group, everyone else gets sick of our sass within an hour and we are left having fun on our own. The best part is that we kind of prefer it that way. You’re the best, best friend a girl could ask for. I love you and I miss having you 3 feet away from me at all times but I am so excited for all of the adventures we are going to have. Before I get too emotional I am going to move on to the coaches.
Neil: Thank you for believing in me more than I ever believed in myself. Without your support I would not be the player or person that I am today. Although you are probably regretting it now, you helped me break out of my quiet shell. I am going to miss the daily talks in your office that typically turned into me making fun of your accent. Thanks for putting up with my sass, most coaches would’ve kicked me off of the team by now. The way you and your family have handled everything that has been thrown your way this past year is truly inspiring. Thank you for keeping us all grounded and reminding us that soccer is just a game and it is meant to be fun. I have two choice words for you: love fam.
Halberg: Silver Fox. That name was not used nearly enough this year. Thank you for everything you have done for this team the past four years, your dedication to this team is something special. Your pep talks are up there with the best of them. I will miss you pulling me aside at the start of games and giving me a final few words of encouragement. I am going to miss making fun of Neil with you.
Frank: Where have you been this year? I’ve missed you. Something amazing happens when you walk onto the soccer field, everyone’s mood immediately gets better. I am going to miss all of our conversations about soccer, life, everything. Remember me when Owen becomes a famous soccer player.
Corbin: Thank you for allowing me to annoy you as I kill time between classes each day. You’re welcome for introducing you to puppy chow, not sure how you made is this long without knowing what it is. Also, thank you for being the best therapist for Anna and I, I think we’ve made some great strides. You have done a very impressive job balancing both teams this year, we are lucky to have you.
Mitch: I have this feeling that you’re secretly a really funny person but that you reign it in when you’re around us. Anyway, I guess we can give you some credit for making Gabby the absolute stud that she is.
AK47: You are so cool, I seriously mean that. I have loved every single interaction we have ever had. Thank you for laughing at all of my terrible jokes.
Bridgett: You are going to make an amazing teacher. You are so kind and patient, the kids are going to love you. I can’t believe it has been three years already since we were Batman and Robin for Halloween, time sure does fly when you’re having fun.
Aubrie: I don’t know if you know this, but you didn’t say a word to me the entire first semester freshman year. Look how far we’ve come. I am so grateful for the many memories we have made so far and I am looking forward to the ones yet to come. I have a good feeling about the remainder of this year. #17Laps.
Marissa: I remember first meeting you at Dana’s graduation party. Who knew we would become this good of friends and make so many fun memories. Thank you for always being such a positive light in my day, you have this special joy about you that makes it so fun to be around you.
Ellen: I am sorry for how messy I allowed our room to get sophomore year. I can’t imagine I was easy to live with. The energy and communication that you brought to our team from the back this year was amazing.
Anna: I love you, kid. I would run through a brick wall for you. You’re the strongest person I know – in every sense of the word. This year you have gone through things that nobody should have to but you have done so with such a brave face. You never complain about anything even though you would have every right to. I would do anything to have just one more game out there on the field with you. Even with your busy schedule you take the time to make me feel loved. Even though sometimes it is in wildly inappropriate ways, I appreciate it. I couldn’t ask for a better best friend. Thank you for bringing out my weird side, I love seeing how uncomfortable we can make the people around us feel. You keep me on my toes and constantly remind me not to take life too seriously. If I write anything more I will start to get emotional so I’m going to stop.
Rina: First of all, I would like to commend you on the workload that you balance with soccer. I have no idea how you do it. You are one of the most down to earth people at this school and I have loved getting to know you better each year. This year I learned that my favorite Rina is the Rina that has too much coffee. You are an absolute hoot on those days.
Sarah S: I love how much you love plants. Watching your face light up when you talk about them is so cool.
Sarah E: My heart broke for you this year. You are one of the hardest working people I know and I was so excited for you to come out and kick butt this year. The good news is that every time you get knocked down you seem to come back stronger than before. I can’t wait to see everything you accomplish next year.
Analiese: Honestly, I was so intimidated by you when you came in as a freshman. Turns out you are actually nice and super easy to talk to. I always walk away from our conversations in a better mood than I entered.
Loof: You have a killer shot. No seriously, it could kill someone if they weren’t paying attention. I probably should’ve paid you to write this for me because I hear you’re okay at writing.
Molly: You are one of my favorite human beings. You make accounting classes fun (yes, you are reading that right, accounting can be fun). I love that even after three years of spending every day together, in classes and at soccer, we still can talk nonstop. If you move back to Texas you better bring me with you because I can’t be away from you for that long.
Mar Car: Our foreigner. I am glad that you got your green card so that you could come play with us. Some of your one liners that you say so that barely anyone can hear you absolutely kill me.
Abby: We bonded right from the moment you stepped on campus. Your passion for the game and dedication to this team is unmatched. Thank you for all of the hard work you have put in over the years.
Fish: You’re welcome for that nickname. I hope you don’t hate it too much. You are so likeable that even though you are constantly chirping me during warmups, I still love having those 10 minutes next to you every day. Also, thank you for all of the delicious treats and for knowing to come straight to me when there are extras.
Becca: Sorry for all of the times I have yelled at you to run, you are just so fast I can’t help it. I can’t wait to see how many records you break in track this year.
Maddy: I don’t know what I would do without you. We just get each other. Thank you for being there when I need to vent and for putting up with all of my sass. I am so thankful for these two years we have at SMU together, I just wish we had a few more. I can’t wait to keep making memories with you that will last a lifetime. You are the only person I will watch hockey for, if that doesn’t say I love you, I don’t know what does.
Erin: Doheny of you know how much I love Erin McElligott? That one will never get old. Thank you for being the best teammate and friend these last two years. I am so glad our ice cream and El Patron dates have become a thing, these better continue throughout the entire year. It is what keeps me sane.
Gabby: You’re a stud. Both on and off the field. Your personality makes you so much fun to be around. I normally wouldn’t associate myself with someone from Chaska but I can make an exception for you. The fact that we have gotten so close already makes me so excited for the rest of the year.
Ash: Your confidence out there on the field it outright impressive for a freshman. I have absolutely loved playing with you in the middle, I wish we had 3 more years like this. Keep working as hard as you do, it is because of that that I know you are going to accomplish big things during your years here.
Hailey: You are feisty player and I want to thank you for challenging me every day in practice. Keep being aggressive and causing other teams headaches. Also, I don’t know how you are always so positive but it is awesome.
Shelly: How’s Killian? Where’s Killian? You surprised me there Shelly. I am only kind of sorry for how much Anna and I tease you. We only do it because we know you can handle it. Your fight out there on the field is inspiring, it has been an honor getting to play with you this year.
For those with time left here, I can’t express to you how fast your time here at St. Mary’s will fly by. Everyone says it goes fast, but it goes 100X faster than you can imagine. Cherish every moment. Know how lucky you are to be able to play the best sport in the world at a University with as amazing of a community as St. Mary’s. The best advice I can give you all is to not let the little things weigh you down. There’s not enough time in the day to worry about things that are out of your control. I love you all and thanks again for everything.
#3 Emma Schaefer
