You’re All Gonna Know the Name: CASE!

I can’t believe it’s been four years. I can’t believe we’re done, didn’t I show up to run the mile at my first collegiate practice just yesterday? And now I am here four years later, blogging about my last game, one of the best games I have been in-the Rochester game on Saturday.

The day started with me picking my parents up from their hotel downtown. This was the first time they had both been back to Cleveland since they dropped me off my freshman year. It is a long way from Oregon and they don’t get out very often. For the afternoon we did the usual, went shopping. I got lost attempting to take the freeway from downtown to Beachwood Mall (another usual). After getting a dress and some lunch we headed back to campus so they could drop me off for our pre-game dinner. We parted ways and I hitched a ride with Vaci and the troupe down to the field.

As soon as I got to the locker room to drop my stuff off I got extremely excited. It wasn’t nerves (at least not yet), just pure energy spurned by the fact that it was a big game (not to mention my last). Our pre-game senior dinner was perfect. The Juniors gave each of us frames with multiple pictures which mix action soccer shots with everyday pictures of us having fun with our teammates. They are great. Speeches were made about each senior, (also given by the juniors) each containing laughable parts, and emotional. It meant a lot to have Link and Frannie tell me how I have impacted them. I think all us seniors were moved and started realizing that soccer might actually be coming to a close. We looked at each other’s frames and then walked down to watch the men’s game until we needed to get ready.

I got ready the same way I always do, everything on my left leg first in order, then right leg, then I braided my hair. I am glad my “crazy pre-game braids” have left a mark of their own, same goes for my shin guards. The braiding period was a somber/reflective one, I was no longer bouncing off the walls, rather, I was starting to get nervous. Coach gave us our pre-game chat and we went out to watch the end of the men’s game. After two overtimes the men ended in a tie and we were able to warm up. It was a good, focused warm up.

At ten minutes to kickoff we did the presentation of the seniors. My parents escorted me on the field while the announcer shared my stats and favorite soccer memories. I didn’t get emotional like I thought I might, I felt good about the game and was ready to play, emotions would come later.

Finally, the whistle blew and Rochester was booting a ball at me, the game was underway. Let me just say, I have never been happier with a 0-0 outcome in my life. Every player that stepped foot on the field from Case’s team played hard and well. The support from the bench kept me going when I got tired. Rochester had a few opportunities right at the beginning of the half, but we got into our flow and started attacking them. I felt really confident and good throughout the whole game. Laura was in constant communication with me and together with Vaci, Maeve, and Kennedy, we prevented Rochester from scoring. Our midfield helped us out a ton by stepping up and winning countless balls in the middle, and with Garber and Deena embarrassing girls on the outside we controlled the middle third of the field. The forwards played superb, the runs they had been working on in practice were working and we got several good chances on their net. At one point Ana drove end line, chipped a defender, then went around another one, and I thought to myself, “this is it, we are going to score just like we did last weekend”. I felt confident like that the whole game, I knew we were going to come out with a good result.

Things got really competitive in the second half. Rochester was starting to feel the pressure with us up in their defensive third for the majority of the half, combining that with some charged emotions, fouls and yellow cards started getting handed out. I am not entirely without guilt, I blatantly tripped #15 because she pushed me. Even so, we held out.

The announcer didn’t say what my favorite soccer memory was during the senior presentation. It was winning the corner kick that Bridget (in her senior game) scored a perfect header on to tie Rochester my sophomore year. Well, I have a new favorite memory, though, it happens to be almost identical. My new favorite soccer memory is holding off Rochester for 110 minutes to a scoreless final in my last game as a Case women’s soccer player, causing them to lose their first place position. I am so grateful to my teammates for giving me this memory. We got as far as we did because every player was dedicated and worked hard. Thank you my friends. Without the coaches support we couldn’t have done it. I especially couldn’t have gotten through the last four years without the patience, understanding, direction, and firm encouragement that I got from Coach Tiff, Buddy, Emily, and Coach Taylor. The program has come a long way, and will continue to do better and better. Good luck in the future, I will be around to cheer you onto the tournament next year. Keep working hard. Stir it up…you know what I’m talking about.

I “wave” to you all, especially Yule and my fellow seniors. It has been an absolute blast playing with you. You are each phenomenal athletes and people.

-Froms