Soccer is the best part of my life. The fall season brings me much stress, but it also brings me the most joy because I get to play the sport I love with the people and coaches I love more. Our program has come so far in three years; the growth of the team and each player is apparent through every game we play, and every day we spend practicing. I’ve written about my soccer team in the past, and what it’s like to be a part of team; to be a part of something special. However, this is no longer what it means to be a part of a team. All twenty-one of us know what that’s like.

This is a thank you.

Thank you for being the people to cheer me up when I hadn't smiled all day. There is nothing like coming into a locker room full of your favorite people, and having them make you laugh with some stupid joke or funny story. Knowing Tessa forgot her socks yet again may frustrate us, but we end up laughing about it out of love. The songs we sing together before games, the jokes we make about our coaches, and the ones we make about each other; the very loud, apparent voice cracks before our cheer; these are the laughs and smiles that carry me through the season.

Thank you for keeping me on my toes at all times. We all have some issues, and we do a good job of keeping things interesting, whether almost getting our coach a red card, or forgetting jerseys. We are always adding something different to the team dynamic which can be frustrating, but always ends up with a laugh.

Thank you for allowing me to do what I love. We made it to the regional semi-finals for the first time in six years, and being able to finish my high school soccer career in third place is something I will never forget. We kept our hopes up, we kept our expectations for ourselves up, and we were able to accomplish what we have wanted to for three years. I will never be able to express the gratitude I have towards all of y’all.

This thank you goes to my two coaches. There are really no words to describe the love, appreciation, and respect we have for you. You came to a team who had not won a single game in two seasons, and everything you taught us are the reasons we are who we are. I know I cry all the time but the love we know you have for us, and the pride you have for us is something that carries me through every practice and game, whether we win or lose.

Most of all, Mountain Lions, thank you for all the memories that we have made and for the memories I know you’ll make in the future. After all the different number of years of soccer we have played, this team is what has always kept my addiction strong. So thank you for the time and the effort that we put in together. I will never be able to repay you. I’m proud of us and proud of our love for the game. And I’ll always remember the name.