A team is a group of players working together to achieve a common goal. In the last four years of high school, soccer has taught me to not take things for granted.
When I first tried out for the team I felt so small, not in a physical way, but in the aspect of not believing in myself. I looked around and saw so much talent, especially the returners from the Varsity team. In those three days of trying out I gave it my all even though I had doubts I wouldn’t be making the team. Later that week, they posted the roster by the girls locker room. I walked in with low expectations because I was so sure I didn’t make it. Looking through the junior Varsity list I saw my name.
I was so excited to start this new chapter in my life.
My first year of being part of this team on Varsity I was anxious at every practice, kept bringing myself down, and constantly told myself to quit. This was because I felt less than other girls. I looked around me and saw good passes, perfect form, and quick sprinters- this intimidated me.
Eventually the bond with my coach and the new girls I met grew once we had what we called “bond days”, where we all shared a day with each other and did activities together. We laughed until our stomachs hurt and just cherished every moment. Throughout the years we all became close and we created a girlhood that I believe every girl wishes for.
Every practice and every game didn’t feel like competition anymore. It was about loving each other and connecting our hearts with a simple soccer ball.
Suddenly Senior Night wasn’t 4 years away, it just happened last night. I realized all this time I was so eager for this day to come and now it’s over. As I walked across the field along with my mom, sister and friend I reminisced of all the moments like the little dances at practice we said we were going to do when one of us scored at a game but never happened.
Instead, we scored and ran to each other with a big smile on our faces.
No more “bond days” that I truly did love. No more inside jokes that will be said at practices. I’m one lucky girl to have had a team that makes leaving hard- that’s how you know it was more than just a game: it was a place where all our problems went away.
It didn’t matter if we won or lost, we were always a team. We were always proud of each other, and most importantly always were there and happy for one another.
If you ever feel like rushing an experience, don’t. Instead, value every second because “always” will not last forever.
You will simply be left with a memory- one you will hope to remember in the future.
