As most of you have heard I’m sure, this past weekend was one that none of us will EVER forget. This past weekend marked three historical events in each of out lives as well as the women’s soccer program. Going into the weekend, we all knew it would take a lot of grit and determination to come out on top and make history. However, we did not let this intimidate us. This past weekend was the American Mideast Conference Tournament which grants the winner a bid to the NAIA National Tournament - something no women’s soccer team has ever done here. Before we even started the semifinal game, things seemed to be in our favor. Houghton, the number one team in the conference, already had an automatic bid to NAIA’s, so with their win against Roberts Wesleyan we knew we just had to make it to the finals to get a bid. Going out against Notre Dame for the most important game of our season (at that time), we all knew what had to be done and we were not going to let it slip out of our hands like in previous years. We played with everything we had, and after a very long game, we came out on top. This completed stage one of our historical weekend. We now were going on to NAIA’s!

After a completely exhausting but also rewarding game on Friday, we had a nice relaxing night eating out with the team and parents, preparing for the next milestone we would accomplish. When we played Houghton during the regular season, although we played amazing and deserved a tie or even a win we fell to them in the second overtime. We were determined not to make the same mistake twice. Playing our hearts out and literally putting everything on the field, we once again headed into overtime after a very even regulation play. After an even more exhausting double overtime still remaining scoreless, we heading into penalty kicks. Jess Estep, Erin Miller, Camille Smith, Jess Linger, and Mara Hughes all stepped up to the plate nailing their shots into the back of the net, while Jenessa Loewen did a phenomenal job of truly intimidating the other team’s kickers and even getting a hand on a few of the shots. In the end, we were VICTORIOUS! What a feeling! I don’t even know how to describe the feeling knowing we just made history two more times (beating Houghton and winning the AMC Tournament)! We were so pumped, but also so drained we could barely manage to make a dog pile as Jess Estep had to make Mara fall just for the photo-op. We had to document our historic weekend!

The truth about what we really accomplished last weekend has only now begun to really sink in, and it still feels just as amazing as the second it happened. I am truly so blessed and honored to be able to be a part of this amazing program and amazing group of girls - teammates, friends, and sisters that have truly put everything on the line this year. Also what a blessing it is that even in the midst of our horror when we found out Coach Meade was leaving, God truly had His hand in the whole thing in bringing us a phenomenal Coach and Papa Coach. Although Coach Seiffert always plays it off like he had nothing to do with our success this year, he really has had a huge part in all of it. He’s always making sure we keep our attitudes in check, our priorities straight and give all the glory to the only One who deserves it, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Coach, Papa Coach, and Coach Allie have been amazing this year, and they deserve just as much of the credit as we do for the historical weekend that we had. Even more so, though, all the glory truly does belong to God!

This weekend, we look to continue making history as we travel to Tennessee to take on the number two seed, Lee University. As we look to honor God in all we do, we will give it our very best and trust Him with the rest! Please continue to pray for us in our travels this weekend as well as in the feat that is set before us in being the underdogs of the tournament. It’s truly a David and Goliath set up, and we all know the outcome of that story!