I can't even remember why I tried out for soccer for the first time in 7th grade. Maybe it was just my over-achiever attitude of wanting to try out every new thing, but I know I thoroughly enjoyed the season. We had two senior boys as our B team coaches and they always kept us laughing. Once Nick even got his head stuck in the net. The fun season made me love the atmosphere of just having a good time while coming together to play sports with people.
8th grade I came at it again, and that's when I got addicted. I played 3 of the 4 sports that year, but nothing compared to soccer.
9th grade was an awesome season. We played tons of games and it was the first time I was actually part of the A team and I got established as a defender. I have so many great memories from that season, and that's when I knew soccer was a special part of me.
10th grade was unique because I was on furlough, but God opened some doors so I could practice with the team at my public school. It was so different from soccer here and such an enriching and growing experience.
11th grade I was back on familiar ground and playing harder then ever, building a solid foundation and falling in love with defense.
And finally, senior year, I pushed myself to be the best I could be, never letting myself settle for less than I could be. My goal was to just developed my skills all around and I feel like for the most part I did, and I can be proud of how I played. It was a special season and God allowed it to be a extra long season with the way the tournaments worked out.
Soccer has shaped me in the sense that it has taught me so much about myself- who I am, what I value, how I play. I've learned to work as a team and rely on each part. To be an encourager and pick myself after defeat. I've learned that I'm hard on myself, but I need to not let it get to me. I've learned how to love others, how to never give up and push to the end. How to rely on God and give Him the praise for the victories and the loses. That being the slowest doesn't necessarily define you. Excuses don't fix anything. And giving up won't get you anywhere. You can learn so much about people and yourself through sports.
It's opened so many doors for me as well. As a middle schooler- to have friendships with upper class-man (who now have babies!!!) and as a upper class-man to have friendships with the younger girls. To step outside your normal friend bubble and get to know new girls. At Big Walnut it gave me a group of friends who knew me a bit better, and in a sea of 1000 faces I was apart of something. I love that feeling of just being part of something. Being a member of that team.
One of my closest friendships was with my sweeper, Hannah Stegeman. I love that girl to death because of our times out on the field. We just clicked from the first couple practices we had together last year. I know she's got my back, and I hers. We understand each-other and our bond will go forever. This season she sat out for a couple weeks from a sprained ankle. I can't tell you how much my heart dropped the moment I saw her first hurt and I praise the Lord she was able to join us again this week for our last games.
There is nothing like that moment when you're in a huddle of a specially bonded group of girls committing your game into your Lord and Saviors hands, with all your various shades, shapes and sizes of hands joined in the middle, and then from the depths of your gut you yell "WARRIORS!"
As the final whistle blew, I stepped of the field and thanked God for the many seasons, tournaments and games I've gotten to play. It's been a blessing and a privilege and I've learned so much.
Soccer is still very much a part of me and I'll take all those memories and things I've learned with me as I go into my future. And don't worry, today wasn't the last day strap on those shin guards and tie up those cleats! ;)
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