ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict soccer team wraps up the 2019 regular season this Saturday, and it's the last time on the team's home field during regular-season play for the team's 11 seniors.
The 2019 senior class has been a part of two trips to the MIAC Tournament, team trips to start the season and some big wins – including two wins over ranked teams to start this season.
Kendall Koenen,
Rebecca Murphy,
Brianna Griffin,
Abby Welsch,
Sydney Sherek,
Nicole Newman,
Haley Neumann,
Meghan Verkinderen,
Madelyn Curtis,
Rosie McGinty and
Mara Flaherty have all played key roles for the team over the past four seasons. Prior to Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game against Carleton, CSB Athletics caught up with some of the seniors to reflect on their CSB careers.
What is your favorite memory with the soccer team?
MV: My favorite memory HAS to be the trip to Virginia Beach last year over Labor Day. We stayed in a ridiculous mansion that fit all 28 of us! It was so fun to explore the city with the team and bond during our trip. I try to forget the terrible loss to CNU every day, but I know I will never forget when we got back from one of the games and were locked out of the house. So, Maddie Curtis, with the help of Coach K, climbed up to the balcony above the door which was thankfully unlocked. What a trip and experience I will never forget.
RM: My favorite memory was going to Virginia Beach last year. It was so much fun walking around the little stores and going to the beach with everyone! The trip was such a great team bonding experience!
SS: My favorite memory was walking through the library and stopping in the middle to play duck duck gray duck in our Mac attack outfits!
MC: One of my favorite memories with the team was our fly trip to Virginia Beach, and all the bus rides over the years playing coup and spending time with my teammates.
BG: CSB soccer has brought me so many amazing memories so it is impossible to pick just one. However, I think the best part about being on the team is meeting so many incredible women that I probably would not have crossed paths with if it wasn't for soccer. Virginia Beach was also a highlight of my soccer career.
HN: My favorite memory with the soccer team is our overtime wins throughout the season. There is something special about grinding it out together for 90 minutes, and then having the grit to put a goal away in the last few minutes of overtime.
What advice would you give future CSB soccer players?
KK: Enjoy every day in season, even when you have a lot of other things going on in life, because soccer is your one escape of the day to get your mind off of everything and give yourself a break playing the game you love with people you love.
SS: Don't wish the season away! I know it means your schedule will open up, but it's not greener on the other side!
MC: Enjoy every day on the team as it is a true privilege to be part of this group and it will go by faster than you think. Also appreciate the great friendships soccer gives you. These women are by your side for four years and are your best friends.
MF: Make the most of your four years; they really do go by quickly. Go to every team dinner, Mac attack, team events, etc. And take advantage of the women on the team as they really become your family and best friends throughout your four years. Not sure what I would have done without them.
BG: Enjoy every minute you have playing the sport you love. It goes by so fast and in the moment you can take it for granted. Also remember the reason why you play when things get tough.
HN: I would tell future CSB soccer players to enjoy every moment of being a student athlete, because it will be over in a blink of an eye.
What was your goal coming into the CSB soccer program as a first year?
SS: My goal coming into college soccer was to enjoy the game! My goal was to be surrounded by competitive strong women and to create something amazing together.
