Dear Soccer,
As my sister Nadia and I hang up our cleats and step away from the field, we want to thank you for the unforgettable journey. Eighteen years ago, we discovered a sport that has blessed us with the opportunity to travel the world, meet amazing teammates, and experience a joy like no other. Reflecting on everything that has unfolded over our four years at Wake, I wouldn’t change a thing.
All those early morning lifts, grueling conditioning sessions, and practices where we gave 100% of ourselves to the game were such a privilege to experience as student-athletes. It wasn’t easy, but it was most definitely worth it.
This season, the final chapter of our journey with soccer, felt especially personal. It has shown us that with passion, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Our team had been doubted all along, and that was okay—we embraced being the underdogs. Through our extreme dedication, we defeated universities we once thought were impossible to beat. We didn’t do it for the accolades or awards. We did it to extend our soccer journey with one another for as long as we possibly could.
For me personally, the love I have for every single one of my teammates feels like a sisterhood—a bond that will never be broken. Staying unified, even when the odds were stacked against us, shaped our resilience like no other season before.
Advancing further and further, I can confidently say we lived out our childhood dream. Getting off the bus for our NCAA Championship game, you could feel the nerves, excitement, and pressure to rise to the moment. We all knew what was at stake. I’ve always believed that being nervous means you’re doing something extremely challenging, and this was one of those moments.
Before the match, we went onto the pitch, some of my teammates listened to their music, some cherished each other’s company, and some looked on in awe. In that moment, I pictured myself as a young girl sitting in those same stands, amazed by every player on the field. To think that today was the day I would be out there myself brought me a deep sense of pride.
That quiet moment quickly slipped away as we rushed back to the locker room, blasting music and carrying out all our team rituals. It was the last time Nadia and I would sit in a locker room get hyped for a game, and praying with our teammates.
The belief we carried throughout the season stemmed from a passage in Matthew 17:20: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” We believed in ourselves and, most importantly in each other. It didn’t matter what our coaches thought, what the crowd chanted, or what the media said about us—we vowed to believe in one another. That moment of prayer was powerful, and it fueled our energy for the entire game.
Our team fought hard that day, but luck wasn’t on our side. Down 0-1 against UNC, our fans erupted with pride, chanting “WAKE! FOREST!” in a sea of Carolina blue. Their black and gold scarves swung proudly in the stands. That entire game felt like a blur, and before I knew it, the clock started to wind down. Thirty seconds trickled down to ten, and then to one. My heart sank as I watched the last second turn to zero.
It was officially over.
That moment of realization was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life, but I couldn’t help thinking of all the good memories that outweighed that result. I looked over at Nadia and saw tears streaming down her face. We knew what this meant. Hot tears flowed down my cheeks as the cold air tightened in my chest. Then I glanced up at our fans.
We gave our last round of high-fives. Alumni, parents, and loved ones embraced us with open arms, holding us tightly. I knew I’d remember this moment forever. I walked the field one last time, taking it all in and giving one final touch to the grass of that stadium.
It hurt so badly.
We didn’t need a trophy to prove our success this season. Our grit, passion, and love for one another spoke volumes. Finally, I unlaced my cleats for the last time and sat in silence, deeply meditating on every moment we’d experienced during this journey. This was the final end of our college soccer careers.
Soccer, you’ve taught us more than I could have ever imagined—about teamwork, perseverance, and the beauty of the game. You’ve been more than a sport; you’ve been a part of who I am. I will never let go of the family I have here with Wake Women’s Soccer.
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