The Final Season

     A time that I felt at my best is probably my senior year of soccer at Cedar Falls.
After practicing with the team in 8th grade and playing on the varsity team freshman, sophomore, and junior years, I had observed the ways a team became successful and ways they grew apart. I knew that my senior year, I wanted to make sure this last season was as good as possible. And it was.
    I think the best thing about my final season with Cedar Falls Women's soccer team was the fact that there were no cliques; everyone was friends with everyone. For girls, it is easy to fall in to cliques and somehow, someone is always getting left out. Myself and another senior basically took on the leadership roles and made sure from day one to let the girls know that we were all in it together and it wasn't long before every girl was socializing, on and off the field, with everyone else. This was awesome because when we all got along, there was limited drama (solved easily) and made communication through the field during games much easier. Another great advantage to the 'no cliques' team was that everyone, no matter if they were able to play basically the whole game or just a few minutes, felt that they had the same impact on the team's success. We all know that a team can't rely on a single person, a few stars, or even the 11 starting lineup, it takes the twenty girls on the roster to show up at practice and games to encourage, to motivate and to push the rest for a team to be successful. I remember a girl who, although her speed wasn't great, her foot skills weren't up to 'varsity' level, was an incredible addition to the team because she was the most positive and supportive person you could meet! She knew she didn't get as much playing time as everyone else, but that never made her caddy or mean to those who did get the time she was missing.
     Another piece of my senior year playing soccer that I feel put me at my 'best' and definitely made a positive impact on the team was when someone was feeling down, disappointed or upset, I always felt it was my responsibility to help cheer them up, and I loved it. I know the game better than a lot of people and was able to talk to them, encourage them that they did well and if they asked me how to improve, I would usually be able to provide insights. I would even stay after practice to let people take shots, run drills or help them figure out ways to improve on whatever they needed. I have never been the most coordinated when it comes to foot skill, but being a goalkeeper allows me to see the whole field and understand the strategy and best ways to play towards a win.
     At the end of the season, we have an awards ceremony where my coach gives out letters, Mississippi Valley Conference awards, and team awards such as 'Most Valuable Player' 'Most Improved Player' and the 'Fury' award. However, she decided that this year's Most Valuable Player would be up to team vote. I was awarded the MVP award! When they gave it to me, they said it was for my hard work, my constant encouragement, because I always had extra water (carried about 5 water bottles at all time so that the girls didn't get dehydrated), and because I was almost like the team mom to all. I was so surprised and felt very proud of the work I had done to help make that team such a success!
     I miss the girls on my team and keep a team photo on my desk in my dorm! Those girls together probably made the best group of girls I have ever, and will ever meet! I'm so excited to go home and watch them play this year, and can't wait until I have my coaching licence to coach a team of my own!