History and Tradition

This past week has been extremely interesting. I'll give you a quick report on the two matches we've played since you last heard from me, and then I'll take a moment to reflect on a couple of dear friends, a lot of memories, and the future of Trinity Soccer.

Sunday, September 18, 2011
Georgetown, TX; Trinity -v- UC Santa Cruz W 4-0

We had an early departure from campus on Sunday morning heading for Georgetown, just north of Austin for what would amount to about a two hour drive...not including the potty pit stop...which I have come to accept as part of the territory! We made it about half-way, although the requests started about 15 minutes after the departure from campus.

The afternoon turned out to be hot and humid, and much more still than normal on the Southwestern Soccer Field. Although we had a bit of a sluggish start, giving up a couple of balls in behind our back line, first-year, Emily Jorgens, who I expect to be a pretty recognizable name by the time this campaign goes into the history books, got on the board with a well-timed near post run to get on the end of a ball driven in from the endline by senior, Abby Loar, and tucked it into the near post with her first touch. Almost a half-hour later, two other first-years combined to add to the lead. Riah Risk, served in a dangerous ball to the far post, which was challenged by a cluster of players, only to drop back to the goal line where Stephanie Segovia was waiting to play the ball past the flailing defenders for her team-leading 9th goal. Shortly thereafter, we would break for halftime where the instruction would be to sharpen up our organization, anticipate and play quicker. Apparently quick was translated into 120 seconds or less as Riah would slip around the left side a weight in a pass as Abby worked in-between two defenders to push the ball into the 18-yard box and then once again to round the keeper and tuck it in the net. Emily would repay the favor to Abby in the 70th minute to extend the lead to 4-0, with Abby notching her second goal of the afternoon. The score would remain at 4-0, in spite of some careless defending and disorganization in the last quarter of an hour and a couple of good looks by the Banana Slugs and a fantastic save by goalkeeping newcomer, Lauren Goldberg. The long trip back down I-35 is always much more enjoyable after a good result!

Friday, September 23, 2011
Paul McGinlay Field; Trinity -v- Our Lady of the Lake University W 4-0

This match would have a unique pre-match festivity. The university would call together members of several eras of Trinity University and Trinity Soccer to dedicate our newly renovated facility to current Men's Soccer Head Coach, and my former coach and current mentor, Paul McGinlay (Paul McGinlay Soccer Field) and former Men's Soccer player, and my former teammate, Tim "Tito" Isom (Isom Memorial) who tragically lost his life at the age of 24 in 2000. More to be said on this a little later...

Our Lady of the Lake University, a local NAIA school in San Antonio arrived to newly dedicated Paul McGinlay Field trying to avenge a loss from a couple of seasons ago. The first quarter of an hour was played in our attacking half and it was first-year Emily Jorgens scoring off a long service into the box from fellow first-year Kirby Peddicord for what would amount to her team and league leading fourth game-winner of the season. Just under eight minutes later, two more first-years combined for the second goal of the evening when Riah Risk took a ball from Kelsey Falcone and found the old onion bag! The remainder of the half would be limited in terms of quality chances, but accounted for the visitors only shot of the evening off a long free kick that would be easily collected by goalkeeper, Katie Garrett. Coming back for the second half, the players played with confidence starting at the back of our shape with goalkeeper, Devan Osegueda, who is carrying a 0.21 GAA through the first half of the season! In the 69th minute, Katy Lipscomb would get up to challenge a corner. That ball would redirect to Emily Jorgens who would play it past the keeper with her first touch and even up her goals scored to her goals created at 8 a piece through the same number of matches. Junior, Lindsay Euers would tally the fourth goal of the evening after having battled in the middle of midfield to help ensure we didn't give up any scoring chances from the run of play. Senior, Nikki Blavet served up a great corner for Lindsay, who incidentally was just named defensive-player-of-the-week in the SCAC. She has battled back from an early season injury and has begun to regain her form of late.



This upcoming week slates Trinity Soccer against UMHB on Tuesday evening, and then onto the always exciting Centre/Sewanee trip to open up 2011 Conference play. Both teams have proven to be formidable opposition, especially within recent years. We are looking forward to the three upcoming challenges!!

REFLECTION....

The dedication ceremony led by University President Dennis Ahlburg and Athletics Director Bob King was a very touching event for the 300+ in attendance at 6:30 pm Friday evening. It was great to see a number of my former teammates in attendance to support the man that was primarily responsible for our affiliation and allegiance to Trinity University and Trinity Soccer. It was also incredible to see the support of Trinity trustees, parents of alumni, and other members of the Trinity University community. We all were there to not only celebrate the career of Trinity Soccer legend, Paul McGinlay, but also a former member of our family, Timothy "Tito" Isom.

Tim was a teammate of mine in the mid-to-late 1990's, who died unexpectedly at the age of 24, just a short time after graduation from Trinity. Members of Tito's family made yet another trip back to celebrate the memory of Tim, and all that he brought to each of our lives. Tim's father spoke on behalf of his mother, sister, and really the many families that have been a part of Trinity Soccer through the years, citing the importance Trinity Soccer has had in our pasts and presents. Members of the current men's team sat front and center in their jersey's alongside Chi Delta Tau's current and alumni members as former classmate of mine, Scott Mury spoke about the incredible qualities Tim exemplified through his life. All that spoke on the evening captured a piece of what Trinity Soccer has meant to me, but I felt myself drifting to memories of Tito climbing over forwards getting on the end of punts from opposing goalkeepers. Recalling his goal off a corner and being the first player there to congratulate him...and his video commentary as we all sat in center field at a Twins game while a couple in front of us enjoyed each other's company more than the game...or the man in baggage claim apparently missing his bags (most of you will not understand those references, which is ok, but they captured Tito's wit and joy for life).

It all led me to remember what Trinity Soccer is...its history and tradition. Simply, it is a family. We prioritize family...First...ALWAYS. It reminded me of the experience of loss. We all lose...wallets, games, hair...and yes family. Much of what I understand as reality, and experienced as truths, has come through time that God has blessed me with as a member of Trinity Soccer. Eliminate the gender distinction...nevermind our high schools or hometowns...because as we walk into the locker room for the first time to pull on a Trinity Soccer jersey, we become an extension of one...one family...the Trinity Soccer Family. Parents, like my mom, Patti, and spouses, like my wife, Natalie, get equally wrapped up in the vicarious experiences of the ones they love.

*Love one another....even at times when it seems hard to like them.
*Choose to work hard...very hard...every day.
*Be responsible for our roles within the family.
*Be accountable for the choices we make...knowing with every choice comes a result of some kind.
*Dream...BIG. If we settle for accepting the natural we'll limit our experience to those we know and never break through to the unknown...the SUPERnatural.
*Never give up...HOPE must always remain alive!
*Be grateful for what we have.

With each new day, we make choices that will direct tomorrow. We choose to overachieve...or in other words...to achieve things previously known as dreams.

Until next time...

LK