17 years ago, I found a soccer ball. 16 years ago, I joined my first team. 15 years ago, I told my aunt I didn't like one of the kids on my team because he was a ball hog. 10 years ago, I started being competitive, and began playing year round. 9 years ago... my parents realized this was something I was good at and enjoyed so they gave their full support. 8 years ago I began playing with girls older and better than me. 5 years ago, I finished my successful and enjoyable high school career and looked forward to a new team and a new experience. Almost 4 years ago, I became a Hawk and met some of the most important people in my life. And on Saturday, I finished my competitive soccer career with a team that no one believed in.
I'm sure this timeline, to some people, is silly. But every person I have ever met, every parent that has cheered my teams on, every coach who had pushed me and every teammate who challenged me have helped mold me into the person and the player I am today.
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Had I not looked up to my babysitter, I might not have fell in love with the
game. Had I not started with some of my best friends, I might not have kept playing, and had I not met some awesome people on the way, I might not have developed into the player I am today.
As I reflect on my career, I can conclude that being a member of a team has taught me so many lessons that I would not have learned otherwise. You learn to work together, you learn selflessness AND selfishness. You learn to rely on other people, but you also learn your own personal strengths and weaknesses. You learn to trust other people and believe in a unit. You learn that dreams can be reached and that disappointment does happen. For every obstacle that comes your way, you problem solve to overcome it. Self-discipline and self-motivation are both things I gained as I played soccer and those are two traits that will help me advance in the real world. I can not reiterate enough how the game has helped mold me into the person I am today.
So to all the fans, the coaches and the teammates who I had the blessing of meeting along the way, thank you for everything you have taught me. I know that I will always have the game, and I will continue to play until it is not physically possible.
To the 2016 Hilbert Lady Hawks: I am so proud of everyone single one of you. We proved everyone who doubted us wrong and gave multiple teams something to remember. You guys gave all of the seniors something to remember and you helped us achieve our dream of making it to playoffs and changing the perception of our program. I have found some of my best friends on this team and learned so many things in the last four years. As cliche as it is, cherish every moment, every laugh, every practice, every win and every loss; it's over in the blink of an eye. I love you all so much.
"There are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one."
