A lot can change in just a year. This time last year I was preparing to embark on my freshman year of college and first preseason as a UMass Minuteman. I had played all summer with my club team and I felt confident in moving to the next level. However, I had no idea what to expect and on one hand the transition was filled with a lot of anxiety, but also with plenty of excitement. I knew a few girls on the team, but the majority I had never met before. Having played with the same girls - and for the same coach - for almost half of my life meant that this was a change that I had to get use to. I also had never lived away from home and saying goodbye to my family and friends was very hard. It didn’t help that I was the first to leave that summer and all my friends were still at home enjoying their last August before college.
In contrast, this year it seems like I’m prepared for every aspect of school - apart from soccer. Tearing my ACL in the winter makes this preseason intimidating in an entirely different way. It is definitely overwhelming to go into the season after having not played soccer in over 6 months. Any other athlete that has come back from an ACL (or any other serious injury) can sympathize with my fear of getting back on the field. However, I think the best part of going into this year, as opposed to last, is that I know that I have a great group of teammates and coaches and therefore I have the best support system anyone could have and they are really helping me get back.
I cannot tell what has gone by faster, this summer or my rehab? Although it now seems overly dramatic, at times it felt like I would never play again. Yet now I can finally see that light at the end of the tunnel - and it’s only getting brighter. It only took hundreds of hours of painful rehab, chasing down hundreds of over-kicked balls and a few tearful calls home but I’m finally almost playing again!! This makes the upcoming season all the more special to me and I can’t wait to get back on that field at Rudd. Of course there are still times of frustration, especially when it comes to getting back in shape. My “new” knee can still only take so much at any one time, which is a little disappointing because I’m use to being able to pushing myself much harder. It’s amazing how much damage 6 months and surgery can do. The road to getting back to soccer shape will definitely continue to be a difficult one going into preseason.
In contrast, this year it seems like I’m prepared for every aspect of school - apart from soccer. Tearing my ACL in the winter makes this preseason intimidating in an entirely different way. It is definitely overwhelming to go into the season after having not played soccer in over 6 months. Any other athlete that has come back from an ACL (or any other serious injury) can sympathize with my fear of getting back on the field. However, I think the best part of going into this year, as opposed to last, is that I know that I have a great group of teammates and coaches and therefore I have the best support system anyone could have and they are really helping me get back.
I cannot tell what has gone by faster, this summer or my rehab? Although it now seems overly dramatic, at times it felt like I would never play again. Yet now I can finally see that light at the end of the tunnel - and it’s only getting brighter. It only took hundreds of hours of painful rehab, chasing down hundreds of over-kicked balls and a few tearful calls home but I’m finally almost playing again!! This makes the upcoming season all the more special to me and I can’t wait to get back on that field at Rudd. Of course there are still times of frustration, especially when it comes to getting back in shape. My “new” knee can still only take so much at any one time, which is a little disappointing because I’m use to being able to pushing myself much harder. It’s amazing how much damage 6 months and surgery can do. The road to getting back to soccer shape will definitely continue to be a difficult one going into preseason.
Two weeks ago my roommate Kristen and I got a small taste of being back on campus and in the college and soccer routine. We both helped out at the Matz Soccer Academy camp on the UMass campus and were able to get to know the next two incoming classes. Not only did we love the new girls but also realize that the potential for the future of the program is endless. Last year we did well; but every returner got a taste of the A-10 championship and I don’t think anyone will be satisfied until we finally bring that hardware back to Amherst! Likewise, we need to make sure that all the incoming players share the same goal and will commit themselves to helping us ALL reach it. The exciting and motivating thing about college soccer is that every year, every team and every schedule is different. No season is the same because players graduate and new players join the roster. This encourages you to improve your team by using the off-season to make yourself better and increase your role and the quality of your play.
It was really gratifying to be able to answer any questions the girls had about UMass soccer, the school’s academic rigors and campus social life. Kristen and I shared all of our college tips and even a few funny stories about the team and coaches. I think it was nice for them to hear that we do have a lot of fun - despite all the soccer we play. Some of my favorite memories of the year are during preseason where it was just us girls living together in the dorms where we were forced to find any form of entertainment we could. It’s safe to say we have watched almost every YouTube video and painted our nails every color imaginable. Preseason is tough, but it is also a great bonding time for the team and I expect the next 15 days to be no different.
A lot has changed since I entered preseason as a freshman, but now I know that I can survive it. I know what to expect when it comes to training and traveling and when it comes to juggling soccer, school and a social life. I was able to secure myself a spot on the team while doing well in school. I might have been injured a few times too many but I’ve also healed and learned what it takes to come back. Most importantly, I learned that the season and year fly by. I can’t believe that a year has passed and I’m already packing my things to go again. This year has a lot of potential and I know it will fly by fast, so I plan on cherishing every second of it.
It was really gratifying to be able to answer any questions the girls had about UMass soccer, the school’s academic rigors and campus social life. Kristen and I shared all of our college tips and even a few funny stories about the team and coaches. I think it was nice for them to hear that we do have a lot of fun - despite all the soccer we play. Some of my favorite memories of the year are during preseason where it was just us girls living together in the dorms where we were forced to find any form of entertainment we could. It’s safe to say we have watched almost every YouTube video and painted our nails every color imaginable. Preseason is tough, but it is also a great bonding time for the team and I expect the next 15 days to be no different.
A lot has changed since I entered preseason as a freshman, but now I know that I can survive it. I know what to expect when it comes to training and traveling and when it comes to juggling soccer, school and a social life. I was able to secure myself a spot on the team while doing well in school. I might have been injured a few times too many but I’ve also healed and learned what it takes to come back. Most importantly, I learned that the season and year fly by. I can’t believe that a year has passed and I’m already packing my things to go again. This year has a lot of potential and I know it will fly by fast, so I plan on cherishing every second of it.
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