Anne Bids Farewell

OK, Anne, breathe good air in One, Two, Three … breathe bad air out, One Two Three … . This is all happening so fast. Yes Anne, this is your Senior Salute and yes Anne, this is your last year of college soccer. It seemed like a dream that was never going to end and writing this is the pinch that wakes me. Nobody could have known how fast four years can fly by! When looking back, the only thing that could come to mind is appreciation and gratitude for those who have influenced my life over the years. There is only one way to start the thank-you process and that is with my parents. They have supported me for so long, not only with soccer but in life too. What other mom would buy the largest mini-van available for their young aspiring soccer player? You can see your parents’ dedication from the time of rec league with reversible shirts till now, they still unfold the ol’ lawn chairs to watch their baby girl play a recreational women’s league game. I hope you guys still come and watch when I’m 30! To the rest of my family, thank you for always being there. I want everyone to know that I have two sisters and a brother-in-law that are my biggest fans on and off the field. Maggie, my niece, is the youngest soccer fan I know, a whopping seven weeks old! You all have no idea how much it means to me when you can come to my games. Instead of you all being on my soccer team, you’re on the best team, MY team; we know how to celebrate when good things happen, and when bad things happen to us, we know how to come together, support and strengthen each other and push through whatever life hands us. It hasn’t been the easiest couple of years, but you’re the strongest people I know and I love and respect you for this. To Mommy, Pappy, Princess, Loverboy, and Middle child, thank you for supporting me through everything and I love you … Love Precious. Whew! That was emotionally exhausting! Now for some lighter-hearted thank you’s … . To my Saint Mary’s University women’s soccer team, past and present. To all of the alumni, it was a privilege having the opportunity to play with so many of you. You made us realize the fun that the team could have together. The goals weren’t as plentiful but the social gatherings were. It made me the socialite I am today and my mother thanks you for it! Ha ha… Now for the seniors, Courtney and Mandy. Phew! What a course it has been. Coach Guinn always reminds us that we were 1-17 our freshman year and we stuck through it to have a successful season our last year on a ranked team in the country. Who would have ever though it would come out this way? I’m so glad that we could play together for these four years. What an experience. For the rest of the team, you have such an opportunity to be great. You all have so much potential. I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming collegiate years. Believe it or not, it goes by so quickly. Take advantage of every day you’re on the field because before you know it, you will be writing your own Senior Salute. I laughed at the seniors that said it to me, but it really hits you at the end and they get the last laugh. To the rest of the SMU team, a.k.a the athletic department, it is because of you that women’s soccer is here and that we are so successful. To our trainers, you keep us in every game throughout the season. Ambjor, we’ve only known each other a few weeks and what a small world it is only to find out we grew up with the same neighbors in the little town of Excelsior! Now to our coaches, the reason we take laps around the game field. Jeff, um … I mean Coach Halberg, I still remember the pep talk you gave Anne O’Day and me when we were freshmen starting our first collegiate game. You told me that I had to be a gamer and prove that we deserved our starting position. I could only with to emulate your tenacity and energy you give to our team and this game and take it with me through other chapters in my life. England was great, too. To Coach Guinn, you brought competition back to this program and I regret only having two years with you. You pushed me to the breaking point only to have greater rewards in the end. I’m glad I can end my career on a successful note, the best season yet! I remember last year when you said to another coach that you were a lucky guy about having rainy weather, but ladies and gentlemen, this coach isn’t lucky at soccer, he’s just that good. Thanks. Lastly, to our fans … . My teammates, new and old, know how much it means to have: the two guys in obnoxious outfits cheering as loud as then can, the adoptive family that would cheer for me when my real family couldn’t make it, the boys on the corner flag heckling the other team, and lastly the boyfriend, who had never been to a soccer game, selling t-shirts! I appreciate all of your support; your cheers were definitely heard on the other side of the field. OK … breathe … this Salute is over; four years of soccer memories that would not fit on just a page, but I hope that this made a good effort. Nothing will teach you more than the game of soccer and I will take every experience with me. Thank you.