Introducing you to two of our seniors this year, I wanted to write a little bit about Nikki and Angie. I’m so glad I got to play with these two girls for three of my four years here because they truly are amazing people on and off the pitch. Each of them has their own little quirks and specialties and I hope to shine a glimpse of light onto a few of them.

Nicole (aka Nikki, Nik, NikNik, or Cheeky Nikki) is just a little 5-foot ball of fun. Nik grew up in Strongsville, Ohio playing at Strongsville High School, and you can tell she had a solid foundation for her game. You can always count on Nik to want to have a good time no matter what she’s doing. Nik and I have truly grown really close the past two years and I am blessed to have such a close relationship with her as a teammate as well as just a friend. On the pitch, she’s a fireball of passion in the way she plays, pulls "cheeky” moves on people (in the words of Coach), or just her hard work. One of the things that stands out the most to me about her play is her reaction to losing the ball. If she loses the ball, no matter where she is or what she’s supposed to be doing you just see a switch turn on as she sprints after the ball with everything she has - not worrying about how much time is left, where she is on the field, or if were losing or winning. Her main goal after losing the ball is to recover it no matter what the cost. I love watching Nik get mad at herself for making a mistake because I just love to see the fire in her eyes as she has to make up for whatever she did. She is such a fun player to watch, and I’m blessed to have her as a teammate and friend.

Angela (aka Angie, Ang, or Jo Jo in the words of Nikki) is very reserved and calm most of the time, but you can definitely tell she has a passion and a love for the game of soccer. Angie went to Findlay High School and we actually played each other a couple of years during high school. Off the pitch, she usually keeps to herself and just seems to observe everyone, but when she laces up and you put a ball at her feet or a forward dribbling towards her she becomes a different person. One thing everyone on the team knows is how much work Angie puts into her school. Being a nursing major, she has had so much trouble trying to make time for both school and soccer. I remember last year she even had to be driven to games separately, only to arrive right as we were getting announced. Not having time to warm up or anything, she would just jog onto the field ready to play. Throughout the craziness of her schedule and being a part of the team, Angie always did keep a good attitude and a quiet sense of determination, not letting anything slow her down. I truly admire Angie's diligence with her schooling as well as her skill and work ethic on the pitch.

These two girls have had such an amazing impact on my life, whether they realize it or not. Everything from them befriending me when I came in as a timid and nervous freshman to them truly stepping up as senior leaders on the team this year. I love how neither of them find it enough to simply go through the motions in soccer or life. They both want to get better at whatever they are doing. I truly love these girls and I know everyone on our team feels the same way.