Senior Year Recap

Photo by: Johana Moran

Having the opportunity to play a sport in college is a blessing that not everyone can experience. As freshman athletes, we don’t realize this. Senior year is upon me, and I begin to reflect on how far we have come these past seasons, and how we will make our last season one to remember.

My name is Ashley Alonzo, and I am a forward and mid-field player for the Women’s Soccer Team. I am known as the girl with the camera around school because I am always taking photographs.

As my senior year arrived, I was filled with nervousness, sadness and a sense of challenge. I thought that my last season had to be the best one yet, so I worked out the entire summer with the purpose of preparing for my senior year.

As preseason arrived, I felt ready, like I was in the best shape I could be. I passed all preseason fitness and skills test and I was more than ready for the season.

As a freshman, I never reflected on my last collegiate sports season, I just thought of soccer as my sport. I hated losing. I hated not playing. But I never stopped to think how much I would hate to hang my cleats up; how much I would hate seeing my younger teammates practicing and feeling left out.

Senior year was full of tears, laughter and happiness. Tears because it’s over but happiness because it had been my best collegiate season. I got to spend time with great women who shared the same love for the same sport as I did. I experienced tough losses and hard wins and was able to represent Ottawa University in the Sweet 16 national tournament in Alabama.

As a student-athlete, I know the demands you have to meet in order to play. I know that making time for school and soccer was very tough, as being a senior academically contributes to the craziness. Yet, no matter how hard things would get, soccer was always my escape from all the stress.

I know there will be no more soccer for a while. I know that it is time to find a “real job” as an adult, but one thing that will never be taken away from me is the fact that I gave my best in my last season. I made it through without any serious injuries, and when coach said, “Get on the line, we’re running,” I didn’t give up, I pushed through.

OU Women’s Soccer has 16 seniors graduating this school year, which is more than half of varsity players and 9 out the 11 starters. Each of us have shared our withdraws and, like me, six seniors are graduating this fall. Each of us worked hard on and off the field, but at least I am not alone experiencing the end of two big aspects of my life.

Freshmen, sophomores and juniors, allow me to give you some advice. Each and every game, play as if it is your last. Be enthusiastic, be supportive and be a good teammate because one day you will reach the reality of being a senior. Enjoy being in school, enjoy playing the sports you love and enjoy every single minute.

I hope this reflection makes you think about the things you are currently doing and how you can improve them because time flies by.