“Every day we practiced, and every day our first game came closer and closer. The competitive level rose as everyone anticipated the game and the role they would have in it. As a freshman, I worked as hard as I could, but for many of the practices all I could think about was how much harder I needed to work to have an impact on the team. I went to each practice trying to step up, trying to play better while we waited for that first game. The team is so supportive of each other that I always feel like a teammate and a friend to everyone. The seniors are great leaders and definitely help keep everyone together and focused. Everyone knows about Missy now, and everyone has been really supportive of her as well. She came in to say goodbye to everyone, and even though I don’t know her at all, I felt tears come to my eyes. It’s as if she is always present in one way or another, and everyone will remember her and miss her, even the freshmen. Given that fact, the other truth is that everyone is determined to prove that we have a great team this year. The confidence level is through the roof, now we just had to prove it with our skill level.”

“We all anticipated the first game and couldn’t wait for its arrival. Pre-season provides thrills of its own, but nothing can compare to the thrill of starting the first game of the season as a freshman. When Coach Tucker announced the starting line up I was seriously surprised and extremely happy. All I could think about was playing hard for the rest of the team. We went into the warm-up, but the whole time I had butterflies in my stomach. My parents and my aunt and uncle showed up to support me. We went through the announcements and got into a huddle. The whole team was so pumped to beat Miami because we wanted to prove we were the best team in Ohio. As the game started, the nerves eventually left, and I quickly realized that I didn’t have any more time to adapt, I just had to play like I knew how. Besides, we had 800 plus adoring fans cheering us on. We couldn’t disappoint them! Our team is amazing! I look up to everyone for the way they played in that game and the other eight or nine I have seen. I watched teammates dive for headers, get thrown to the ground in an effort to win the ball against four or five opponents, and most importantly work hard for each other. Compared to what I watched in the game from my own team, I felt somewhat insignificant. I just do not quite feel that my personal efforts matched those of my teammates. I know I played decently, but not well enough. I realized just how much faster the game is and how much harder I have to work to play in the more physical game of college soccer.”

“As a personal highlight, I scored my first goal ever off of a great corner kick from Megan McKnight. I just happened to be the lucky person running the back post when the ball came in, and I played a belly ball into the back of the net. All I can say is “luckily I was in the right place at the right time.” We ended up winning 1-0 after two forty-five minute halves and an extra fifteen minutes of overtime. At the end of the game, the thrill of victory set in as everyone congratulated each other. Families and fans rushed the field, and for the next thirty minutes, hugs and praise were passed around as a group of younger players asked for autographs. It was a great feeling that I hope we can repeat every weekend! I think our team is ready for the rough schedule we have in front of us. I can only hope that I will have many more great opportunities to play with this great group of women, but the first game is one I will never forget.”

[Editors note: Junior GK Steph Weisenfeld will carry us through the regular season with submissions starting in two weeks.]