The E.N.D.

Even though we had an amazing run and a great season this past fall (12-4-4), we did not impress the NCAA committee enough to earn an at-large bid.  Because of this, we were denied a spot in the NCAA tournament.  However, not having an invitation to the tournament means nothing to our program this year as a whole.  This year, many records were broken and many honors were received. 

First record: Shut Outs. We ended up having 11 shut outs, the most recorded shut outs for a Centre Women’s Soccer Team in the history of Centre Women’s Soccer.

Second record: Home field advantage?  For the first time in Centre Women’s Soccer history, we never lost a game at our home field. So, was it the home field advantage or the rad skills of the team?

Third record: Longest Regular Season Play (aka OVERTIMES).  We played a total of 11 over time periods this year.  Whenever we won in an overtime match, it was a nail-biting experience where we would win in the last 32 seconds, or 3.1 seconds.  All and all, we played an extra game and a quarter because of all the OT periods. So, after coming back to score on DePauw in the last 2 minutes of the game, it seemed very suiting that we would end our regular season play in an overtime period.

Fourth record: SURPRISE! Definitely celebrated the most surprise birthday parties (Jay, Sarah, Eisner, Jessica)

Rosie preparing for Jay’s Surprise:

Just to mention a few honors: We had an SCAC Defensive Player and Offensive Player of the week, a Character and Community Student-Athlete of the Week, and a player named to the ESPN: The Magazine All-District Team. We were assisted by the best team manager ever, Anna, and hope to have her again! We also got to see a player earn a hat trick.  We saw a player in back to back games score in the last 30 seconds of the game to give us the lead.  We had many quad, knee, leg, and back injuries that we overcame. 

  

Chloe and Kelsey (:

As a whole, we played, fought, laughed, and loved as a team.  Our team is truly unique.  This past weekend was our final game, at DePauw.  The drive from Centre to DePauw is about 4 hours.  Because we travel with the boy’s team, we can only take 22 players on the team.  As we were preparing for our game.  In the distance, upon the horizon, we saw a crowd of girls with neon signs saying “Centre Women Rock” and “We Love OUR Centre Women!”  The girls who did not make the travel team had taken their Saturday day and night off to drive 4 hours there, 4 hours back, just to support their team.  That says something about our team.  Jay’s comment was, “If someone came up to me and asked me why this team is so special…. I would say this.  ‘If you can go out and find another team that loves and supports each other the way that this group does, I would be very shocked.  I am so proud of the group that found a way to come and support the 22 players that played on Saturday night.  That is heart, dedication, and that shows just how special this team is to each other. THANK YOU!’” 

According to the very talented singing group named The Black Eyed Peas, the “E.N.D.” is actually an acronym for the “Energy Never Dies.”  I found this to be very suiting for our team.  Our energy has not died, nor will it.  Being a part of the Centre Women’s Soccer Team means so much more than being part of a soccer team.  Yesterday, even though we had no practice, a few girls went out and ran 20/40s, while others went to the gym to work out together.  Today, we will go as a team to the gym to lift.  So, what does that make us?..  A team?  I guess you could call it that.  However, it would not be giving us justice because there are limits to teams.  There is only so much someone on a team would do for another teammate.  They would not have their door open 24/7 for you to talk with them about something bothering you.  They wouldn’t call you after they noticed you had a bad day and say, “Wanna talk?”  The coaches wouldn’t worry if you had other stresses going on in your life, because most coaches would recognize soccer as being the most important part of your life.  There would be a lack of understanding for your needs.  However,  I would venture to say there is not anything you could ask of someone on the Centre Women’s Soccer Team to do that every single one of them would do for you.  We have those girls who won’t stop calling until they know you are okay.  We have those girls whom leave those doors open to life talks.  We have those coaches even making sure we have a balance in our life and we are not over-whelmed. So, I guess that would make us a step above a team.  After all, WE are so much more.  WE are a family. 

inconclusion,thanksforagreatseason.iwouldnthavewantedtoplaywithanyothergroup.neverletourenergydie.

thisjustmeansweworkharder.iloveyall.centrewomenrock!!!!

ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team

Centre College’s very own Rosie McAuley, senior, was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Soccer Team for her effort in the classroom and on the soccer field.  McAuley was selected to the District 4 College Division Second Team by the College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for the 2009 fall season.

McAuley is majoring in Spanish with a minor in Education where she hopes to be a speech pathologist when she is older.  She currently has an accumulative GPA of 3.7.  She started the first 13 games of the season, however, due to an injury, had to sit out the last few.  She helped the Colonels to an 8-3-2 record, allowing only 6 goals in 13 games and having over 28 saves.  

McAuley has always been a present for the team on the field.  During the 2008 season, she started all 19 games.  In 2007, she received the Coach’s Award, the Players Choice Award, was named to the second team in the Great Lakes Region, and was third team All-Conference in the SCAC.  

Since fall of 2006, McAuley has been a member of the Dean’s List every semester and has been named an All-SCAC Academic Athlete.  She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, and the Society of Future Educators.  

Knowing all of this about Rosie and knowing her as a person made it no surprise to us that she was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team.  Way to go, Rosie!  You are bonzer, and rock! (:

Halloween

Every year, the girls always get dressed up for Halloween.  It is always a surprise, because each class on the team does something special and it is kept a secret from the other classes.  This year, the freshmen dressed up as “Snow White and the 7 Dwarves.”  The sophomores were different high school stereotypes (we had a drama queen, a nerd, etc).  The juniors were all members from the game “Mario Kart.”  And, our beloved seniors were “Lady Gagas.”

(More Pictures to come)

Junior Class were the characters from “Mario Kart”:

Some of the Sophomore High School Stereotypes:

Senior Day, Hat Trick, and Undefeated Home in ONE DAY

Our Lovely Seniors

(Elizabeth Hooper, Marina Hoe, Cindy Bergstrom, Katherine MacMurray, Rosie McAuley, and Lizzie Hubbard)

After finding it hard to put the ball in the back of the net all season, the Lady Colonels found a way yesterday afternoon against Millsaps College.  Millsaps scored quickly against the Colonels in the first five minutes of the game.  Around thirty minutes later, Brittany Garr answered their goal with one of her three for the afternoon off of an assist from Amy Hebbeler.  The half ended tied 1-1.  

During half time, the senior festivities began.  This year, we are celebrating six seniors:  Rosie McAuley- GK, Lizzie Hubbard- 5, Marina Hoe- 6, Cindy Bergstrom- 16, Elizabeth Hooper- 18, and Katherine MacMurray- 23.  Each of them have had amazing accomplishments here at Centre both on and off the field.  They all hold a special place in all of our hearts and will truly be missed in the seasons to come.  Even though they will not be here playing with us next year, we will always remember them and hold a special place in our hearts for them because we are the players we are today because of them.  Because we knew them, we all have been changed for the better, both on and off the field.  

After a very nice, emotional half-time, it was game-time again.  Three minutes into the half, Millsaps scored off of a corner to put them up 2-1.  Garr answered again by scoring off of a header from a brilliant cross by Cindy Bergstrom.  Three minutes after Garr scored to tie the Majors, Elizabeth Hooper scored off a cross from Katherine MacMurray to put the Colonels up 3-2.  Unfortunately, the feeling of security and happiness to be winning did not last too long, because shortly afterwards, Millsaps scored again less than one minute after Centre had scored their third goal.  For the next thirty minutes, the Colonels shot and pressured, and had opportunities, but just couldn’t find the back of the net.  

The Centre Women’s Soccer Team has become accustomed to playing under pressure in overtimes.  This year, they have played a total of 90 minutes in overtime minutes, which is equivalent to another game.  Needless to say, much like the other overtime periods they have been involved in, the Colonels came out strong and was on the attack for the majority of the time.  With almost 5 seconds left in the first overtime period, Katherine MacMurray dribbled up the sidelines and crossed it in to Brittany Garr who kicked it in with 3.1 seconds left for the win and to complete her hat trick.  The team rushed the field and dog-piled on Kat and BG.  

Scoreboard after the game.  It would say 4-3, however Chloe got so excited, she threw the controller and it broke..:

In the end, the Colonels had 21 shots, six corner kicks, 3 assists from seniors (2 from Katherine MacMurray and 1 from Cindy Bergstrom), 1 goal by a senior (Elizabeth Hooper), and a hat trick by their very own junior, Brittany Garr.  All in all, they had a very successful senior day.  

Not only did we have an exciting game yesterday, but we have at our field this entire year.  This is the first time in Centre Women’s Soccer History that we have gone undefeated on our home field.  This says something about our program as a whole taking a step into the right direction under great leadership with incredible players and talent.  

The seniors’ lockers were all decorated for their day:

“I’m glad to be at the triple C..”

On Halloween, we woke up and had a team jog around 10:45 am.  We talked about our game from the previous night and what to expect from Millsaps on the following day.  After we ran and had a team stretch, we went to the Alumni Recognition Ceremony as a team.  At the Ceremony, Sarah Morgan (‘99) was honored into the hall of fame.  Morgan, still today, holds every offensive record in SCAC history and had 96 goals in her four years of play at Centre College.  Here we heard some inspirational speakers, but one of the speakers said it best.  He said, “You may leave Centre, however, Centre will never leave you.”  

The tam with the hall of fame inductee, Sarah Morgan:

After the ceremony, at the half time of the football game, our senior Rosie McAuley was named to the Homecoming Court.  In honor of her, most of us attended the football game.  

Rosie waiting to hear the results:

Afterwards, we either studied, spent time with family, or participated in other various homecoming activities until around 8pm.  Centre College hosted a concert by Dave Barnes on the first floor of the warehouse.  Many of the girls attended this concert and stood cheering the entire time in the front row, as did Camille, Aubrey’s mom.  

Picture of some of the soccer girls at the Dave Barnes concert:

Ben Rector was the opening act, and also a surprise.  No one had heard of him before, however, he was very good.  He sang original songs, his own renditions to other songs, and came up with one song off the top of his head.  Before singing to us his random song, he asked us what our mascot was.  After hearing we were the Centre College Colonels, he sand, “If I had to choose any college in Kentucky, I’m glad to be at the triple C.”

Alumni Beth Faulkner and Junior Brittany Garr with Dave Barnes in the background:

Later on in the concert, Dave Barnes gave a shout out to the Centre Women’s Soccer Team and proceeded by telling us about his love for Arsenal.  This made Lizzie very excited, seeing as that is her team.  Then, after he told us a soccer story, he sang a song called, “On a Night Like This.”  We determined he meant for the song to be dedicated to us, which it clearly was.  What a great night.

Bury Birmingham Southern- Check

Before the game against the Birmingham Southern Panthers on Friday, we received an e-mail from Jay and Jessica.  All the e-mail said was to bring a mirror with us to the locker room before the game.  We had no clue what to expect.  Our coaches have asked us to bring some weird things before games, however, nothing to this extreme.  Upon arrival to the locker room, we all got out our mirrors.  When we were ready, Jay and Jessica came in the room and told us to look at our mirrors.  Their speech continued by reminding us to look in the mirror.  The only thing different between us and the mirror is the fact that the person in the mirror cannot change; however, the person looking into the mirror has the power and ability to do great things.  They told us that tonight, we were to play for the team, not for ourselves.  As we looked into the mirror we were supposed to think of looking into it after the game.  What would we say?  Would we be able to say we left everything we had on the field?  Would we be able to say that we gave all we had for all of the other girls sitting with us?  These were just a few questions we were supposed to answer and then challenge ourselves with during the game.  

We outshot the Panthers 4 to 2 in the first half.  Unfortunately, we went into halftime tied, 0-0.  Then, late in the second half, with almost 6 minutes left, Chelsea Stanley, a Junior, proved that she wanted to leave everything on the field by scoring the game winning goal off of an assist from senior Katherine MacMurray.  As a whole, the team played as a unit.  During the game, we had 12 shots and seven corner kicks.  This game also gave Kelli Lenz her third shut out for her career and gave the team an overall record of 11 shut outs for the season.

And They Keep On Coming..

From Eisner’s Birthday to Jay’s Birthday to Sarah’s Birthday, the birthday surprises keep coming and keep getting better and better!  For Jessica’s birthday this past weekend, it was no different.  We made her her favorite dessert on Saturday and sang to her as she got on the bus after our game in Maryville.  She laughed and smiled.  We returned the favor, because she thought we were done celebrating her birthday.

On Sunday, the team got together and blew up tons of balloons.  We had all written notes to Jessica, and we placed one in each balloon.  We then filled her office up! Needless to say, she was very surprised!  When asked about it, she said, “You all are so ridiculously clever! I felt like a kid again jumping, diving/sitting on and popping the balloons with a thumb-tack! It took about an hour to pop and clean-up all the balloon shrapnel. Some of those balloons packed a bang too! So I’m sure the entire athletic office enjoyed the beautiful sights and sounds of Thunder Over Chis! After popping the balloons, it took me about 2 hours to read through all of the team’s notes. I definitely enjoyed that part the most! Thanks again for making my b-day so special!”

 Preparing the office:

Some “before and after” pictures!:

                 

SCAC Defensive Player of the Week

For the games of October 19-October 25, our senior defender from Hilton Head Island, S.C. has been named the SCAC Women’s Soccer Defensive Player-of-the-Week.  Lizzie Hubbard is always a huge part of our team; however, this week especially she stepped up defensively and offensively.  On Wednesday, versus Mount Saint Joe, she had three shots in regular play and three shots on goal during the double overtime appearance.  She also helped the defense in holding MSJ to 9 shots in the entire game.  Lizzie furthered her assistance during our game on Saturday versus Maryville College.  She had two shots and two shots on goal for the game and helped us hold the Scots to only one shot during the 2nd half of regulation play.  Being in the defense, Lizzie helped with the 1-0 double-overtime win and helped us earn out 10th shut-out for this entire season.  This season we have had the most shut outs in Centre Women’s Soccer History.

 

CONGRATS LIZZIE!  WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU (:

Trespassing Tip: Go Quickly..

 

The Centre Women’s Soccer Team is very special because of how close we all are.  We share laughs and funny stories.  One of the most recent stories that happened was this past weekend on our way home from Maryville College, where we won!  Anyways, Jay decided the scenic views of Tennessee would be a perfect backdrop for our team’s picture.  Unfortunately, there was no “turn-off” point for all of us to safely pull over, get out, take a picture, and get back on the bus in one piece.  So, we got off on an exit.  After doing such, Jay found the perfect spot.  However, it was in a very interesting position.. it was past a “No Trespassing” sign.  In the arms of her father, three-year-old Kate asked, “Daddy, does that say ‘Don’t Go’?”  He responded with a smile, “Let’s go quickly!”

Thanks to Gar for finding a lucky clover (it’s probably the reason why we didn’t get caught trespassing!).:

 

For Spooks

Even though Jay and Jessica could not make practice yesterday because they were recruiting, we decided we still needed to get together and practice.  All in the spirit of Halloween, we decided to run to the graveyard, do some stretching, and run back.  It was fun to do something different for a change, but after running a couple of miles without a purpose, we all were reminded why we love soccer so much.

The team at the cemetery: