Virginia Women's Soccer 25th Anniversary Banquet by Katie Carr

Hey guys,

So a couple weeks ago we celebrated the 25th anniversary of women's soccer here at the University of Virginia. Alumni, past and present coaches, family members and our current team all gathered at John Paul Jones Arena's dining hall and had a banquet with interesting speakers from previous virginia teams and enjoyed a great meal. The speakers included the woman who founded the virginia women's soccer program, the male student who was the coach for the first "trial" year and then the head coach who took over for the next couple years when the program was established as a legitimate college program, Lauren Gregg. It was so cool hearing about how much effort, determination and passion that was put into making the program the way it is today, a top 10 program in the country. Its crazy to think that all of this occurred just 25 years ago (i'm 21 so its just about as old as i am....weirddd) Anyway, I was lucky enough to speak on behalf of my teammates at the banquet. It was extremely intimidating talking in front of some of the best players that have ever played women's soccer along with some of the best coaches in the history of soccer. It was also very humbling knowing how the program began and knowing that we are all connected to eachother through this very special and elite program. Our team is extremely grateful for everything these previous players, coaches and staff have done for our program, breaking stereotypes and pushing boundaries. Beacuase of them, we and future generations are able to play the game we love and enjoy every second of it! I will always have fond memories of my "Virginia soccer family" and its so cool knowing that I will always share a special bond with people I had the priveledge of meeting at the banquet because we have all worn the Virginia jersey at some point over these 25 years. I know that the friends I've made here I will have for the rest of my life, and for that, I will always have the greatest memories of Virginia soccer.

 

 

-katie carr

Meghan Lenczyk.....Friendships through UVA Soccer

Over my four years of playing UVA women’s soccer I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the aspects of being 
on the team, but one of the most enjoyable and memorable parts of my experience with soccer is the friendships I’ve made. I feel like our team is a very close knit group and everyone gets along pretty well. Although we are all different ages and come from different backgrounds we have one thing in common, and that is soccer. I believe that I am close with pretty much everyone on the team, but by far the girls that I am the closest with are the girls in my class (4^th years!). We have been through 4 years of some of the most intense but rewarding soccer together and have also become extremely close off of the field. I believe that soccer has really bonded our senior class, and although it has been tough at times we all have gotten through it together, and this has brought us closer. The friendships I have made through this team are friendships that will last me a lifetime (our class has already planned to live in a retirement home in Michigan so we can still be at preseason every year.) Although our class is very close we are also friends with all of the younger girls on the team, and many of these friendships will last beyond our years at UVA as well. One of the most important lessons I have learned through playing UVA women’s soccer is that, although college soccer only lasts 4 years (6 years if you are chantel haha), the friendships that are made through it last forever. 

A week in the life of Colleen Flanagan... Leading up to the Maryland/Boston College Games

Hello Friends,

I Hope this post let's you in on my life as a UVA Student- Athlete.

Throughout my week I get up at 8:30. This gives me plenty of rest for my busy days. Mondays and Wednesdays I have class from 9-11 and on Tuesday and Thursday I have class from 9:30 to 12:30. After the morning classes are over I normally come back to my apartment and eat lunch. One of my favorite's is a turkey and cheese sandwich.  Tuesday is the only day that I have class in the afternoon so I have to run and catch the bus so I'll be on time for practice.  Practice was really intense in the beginning of the week.  We were trying to get ready for the big weekend coming up.  We focused on switching the point of attack and did a lot of functional training.  We even did a circuit lift on Monday that was really tough and made me sore all week.  Wednesday's practice was light because it was our final practice before the Maryland game. We went over the scouting report and did some passing drills in a circle which is Steve's favorite pregame practice. After practice the team had dinner together at JPJ and then we loaded the bus for Maryland.  On the bus we watched 'Letter to Juliet'.  We lost on Thursday in a close, rain soaked game.  It was a disappointing loss for us and I still can't believe how much it rained that day.  We came back home to UVa and had practice on Friday and Saturday to get us focused for our next opponent: BC.  Sunday's game went much better for us, we beat BC in overtime who was ranked #1 in the ACC and in the country at the time.  The week started off pretty hard but all that hard work paid off on Sunday!  

I hope to see all of you at our remaining home games! 

Colleen  

Fourth Year Sinead Farrelly: What it's meant for me to be a UVA Soccer Player

Being a UVA soccer player means everything to me both on and off the soccer field.  Being part of such a talented soccer program and a great academic university has basically been a dream come true for me.  A soccer program such as UVA has taught me so many new techniques and tactics I dont think I would have learned anywhere else.  More importantly, it has taught me the key part of the game; being part of a team.  To me, soccer is one of the best sports in the world because its all about working together and working for each other.  Without that, there is little chance a team can be successful.  At UVA, we are so blessed to have the coaches and players we do.  To us, we're all family. Knowing that every practice and every game we are playing not only for ourselves, but for our teammates, makes everything that much easier.  A large part of our success comes from the willingness to work for each other on and off the field.  Without that  and our desire to win as a team, we would just be talented individuals. And we all know that doesnt win soccer games.  So for me, being a soccer player at UVA means so much more than the success we have during our fall season.  It's about our UVA PRIDE both I, as well as everyone else on this team, holds on to.  This pride is so strong, we come away every game knowing no matter what the result, we gave our very best.  

The things I will take away from my four years here are: 1) The knowledge of the game and 2) The life long friends (especially my fourth yearsssssss) who will always be a part of me.  None of it would have been possible without the opportunity to play and study at UVA.