Reflections on a Magical Season

Posted by Don Trentham, Head Coach

The 2010 fall semester has officially come to an end, and the players will be heading out of Billings to enjoy a month long holiday break and get some much needed/deserved rest. They will also get to spend time with their families and friends who they do not get to see that often, and in spending that time will get to share the memories of what was a MAGICAL season for our soccer program!!!

The 2010 season started out just like the others….with a team meeting at 4 pm on Sunday, August 15th. While we all knew we had a good team, I do not think anyone could imagine what would happen over the next three months…the ups, the downs and the everything else in between that would ultimately make up the greatest season in the 15 year history of the MSUB women’s soccer program. Here is how I saw the MAGICAL season unfold:

• Our leading scorer from the 2009 season gets hurt the first day of preseason….great start!

• Last minute goal by Jen Larsen to beat University of Great Falls in our first exhibition…a win is a win, but didn’t look great. We did do the beep test in the morning, so maybe we were just tired.

• Two days later, 3 – 0 loss to Rocky Mountain College in our second exhibition. Did we seriously get our butts kicked by Rocky!!! Okay, we’ve got problems.

• Day after Rocky game is spent at Wojteks' house reexamining everything. Decision is made to change from the 4-3-3 we played all of 2009 (fall and spring) to a 4-4-2. In addition, Jen Larsen is moved from forward to center back.

• Week 2 of preseason we work extensively on the 4-4-2 to prepare ourselves for our third and final scrimmage --- there also begins to be a massive sickness spreading throughout our team --- Bigzee and especially Janae seem to get the worst of it.

• GNAC Preseason Rankings come out – we are picked to finish 6 out of 8 teams….at least we didn’t get picked to finish last!

• Middle of the second week of preseason our opponent for that scrimmage cancels….great we are going to go into the regular season opener against Dixie State (2009 NCAA Tournament Team) coming off a 3-0 loss to Rocky and playing a new formation. Things are going really well --- NOT!!!

• Sunday, August 29 we play an intra-squad scrimmage…MSUB wins :)

• Season opener against Dixie State…win 1-0 from a late goal by freshman Heidi Greenback.

• 2nd game of season against U of Mary….give up goal five minutes in and didn’t play well in the first half, until Brooks scores off a diving header in the last minute of the half. We go on to win 4-1. Win MSUB Cup and Sami Sandau named tournament MVP.

• Next up Colorado trip and for the second game in a row we find ourselves down 1-0 in the first five minutes against Colorado Christian. We come back and score four unanswered goals to win 4-1.

• Our final game before the start of conference play is against Colorado School of Mines at their place, another 2009 NCAA tournament team. We again find ourselves down 1-0 against a very good defensive team on the road. Even though we held them without a shot in the second half, things aren’t looking good until we get a corner kick and Jen Larsen scores on a header with 5 minutes left in the game. We go to overtime and CO School of Mines is all over us…to be fair they probably should have scored on us, but we hold on for a 1-1 tie. Race to the airport and back to Billings with a 3-0-1 non-conference record…next up conference opener against Seattle Pacific.

• Even though we play them fairly even, Seattle Pacific humbles us and beats us 3-0. Even with a 3-0 loss, I know we have a good team at this point. However, not sure if the team believes in themselves yet…we talk about it the next day at our training session at Central Washington.

• Against Central Washington we again find ourselves down 1-0…why do we keep putting ourselves in this position? Move Jen Larsen up to forward at halftime, she scores 10 minutes into the half off an assist from Sabrina (her first of three assists on the year). With less than 20 minutes left, Jaucey plays a great ball to Carly…Carly hits the post, but Kari is there to clean it up and score the game winner. Start the conference season off with a split on the road…not bad!

• Up next is a huge road trip to Simon Fraser and Western Washington. Get across the border with no problems :) and prepare to play conference newcomer Simon Fraser. Jaucey scores a goal in the first half and we hold on for a 1-0 win in the rain/fog. Great victory, always good to win the first game of a road trip!

• Western Washington is our opponent on Saturday. We have never beaten them, they are ranked #20 in the country (our program had never beaten a nationally ranked opponent) and we are coming off a big win on Thursday….going to be tough. WE WIN 1-0 on a goal by Kari Foreman, cleans up a rebound off a shot from Andrea. Great road trip…we are starting to believe!

• Finally back at home after a six game road swing…up against Western Oregon. Score two goals in the first half both off corners, own goal and Jackie Hill’s first collegiate goal. Go on to win 2-0 – haven’t given up a goal in three straight games, we are on a roll!!!

• Celebrated the return of some great players who have played here over the past 15 years….Ally Stroup, Vicky McCarthy, Sara Gress, Melissa Carlson, Brittney Sandau, Abby Farmer were all in attendance for Futbol Frenzy and 15th Anniversary Weekend. Great to see all of them at the game, unfortunately St. Martin’s beats us 3-2. A lot of people were surprised we lost because of St. Martin’s record compared to us, but I wasn’t. St. Martin’s has always been a tough game for us, and they have a very good team…they had just had some bad luck early in the season. Tough loss!!

• Bus trip to Nampa, Idaho to play Northwest Nazarene --- all the players go on the trip. Only one game on the week, so we get a little extra rest. However, long bus ride and we look tired against Northwest Nazarene. Game is pretty even and in the second half they get a corner kick. Ball is played in and Sabrina is interfered with, but they score. Referee blew whistle before the goal, but has allowed the goal…I’m not happy! He confers with both of his assistant’s and overturns the goal…we catch a break. A few minutes later their goalkeeper handles the ball outside the box and is red-carded. Game goes to overtime and Jaucelyn scores the GOLDEN GOAL….won’t be a long bus trip back to Billings and we escape what would have been a devastating loss.

• Back at home…beat Central Washington 4-2. Go into halftime up 2-0 after Bigzee probably scores one of our best goals of the season right before half. Then in the first 10 minutes of the second half the score goes 2-1, 3-1, 3-2 before we score the fourth goal in the 75th minute and put the game away. Next up Seattle Pacific!!

• The SPU game is our Make-A-Wish-Day which was organized by our senior captain Sam Boehm…she ended up raising over $1,000 for the Make-A-Wish organization. In terms of the game…great game, great atmosphere (best I’ve been around – “Walking in a Jacket Wonderland”). SPU scores first, but we come right back and score to tie it up. Game stays tied through the second half and goes into overtime. SPU hadn’t had a shot on goal in over 55 minutes, when their forward gets the ball and shoots. Ball takes a deflection and finds a way into our net. We lose…..it hurts real bad for all of us!

• We have to find a way to get over the loss quickly, as we have St. Martin’s on the road the following Thursday. We give up two early goals and find ourselves down 2-0 at half. Come out in the second half and play really well, score a goal right after the half and create a lot of other chances. Come up short in the end --- lose 2-1 (swept by St. Martin’s). Winning the GNAC and our playoff hopes are in trouble…have to win at Western Oregon and the seniors ride with me from Lacey, WA to Salem, OR, with a stop at Sam Boehm’s house for some fajita’s…..watch live stats that night at her house and WWU ties CWU. Good result for us.

• Playing at Western Oregon, like all GNAC away games, is always tough. What makes Western Oregon even tougher is the weather in October….usually raining and pitch becomes hard to play on. Fortunately the weather holds up and we find a way to score 2 late goals (Heidi scores both off of assists from Jaucey). Split on the road, we will take it. Huge game coming up against Western Washington on Thursday.

• Team has gained some confidence after their victory against Western Oregon, but we know it will be hard to beat Western Washington two times in the same season. Come game day we look ready and determined to win, and it shows. We create several great chances, but don’t score. Heidi Greenback scores two minutes into the second half to give us a 1-0 lead and we play some of the greatest team defense I have ever witnessed…we win 1-0. Great result!!!

• With our win Thursday, the NCAA tournament is still a possibility. Two games to go and we need two wins. If we can get that done, at this point I think we will be in.

• Play well against Simon Fraser, but it is a pretty even game. With five minutes to go it is 0-0, when we pull an offside trap on a free kick. Somehow they stay onside???? They score??? Unbelievable we are down 1-0 on what looks to be a bad call. We throw everything forward to try and get an equalizer, and are almost rewarded but Sami’s shot glances off the post…my reaction on the sideline brings some humor to Lo :) We lose 1-0…this one hurts worse than any game I’ve ever coached. I feel my team played well and I made a decision that might cost us the tournament. Our playoff hopes now ride on some results from other teams going our way, and a need for a definite win against Northwest Nazarene the following Saturday.

• A lot of people now think we are on the outside looking in and don’t have a chance of making it. We are definitely going to need some results to go our way, but looking at the upcoming games I feel we are going to get those results and we will win against NNU. One of the results we need happens on Saturday night…Grand Canyon who is right behind us in the rankings gets upset. This is a good result for us, I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO GET IN.

• I bring the seniors in the office the day after the loss to Simon Fraser and tell them I am confident if we win we will get in. The two teams that worry me a little bit are CSU Stanislaus and San Francisco St. That is when Lauren tells me that she was watching live stats and SFSU is tied with Humboldt State. I say that SFSU is not going to lose that game at home on Senior Day. We all chat a little longer and everyone seems to be focused on getting the win against NNU. Right before they leave, Lauren asks me to check the score of the SFSU game….they are losing 1-0 with 15 minutes to play. No way!!! SFSU gets a penalty with 10 minutes left…they miss. They end up losing 1-0. Even with our loss, the other two teams around us in the rankings lose as well. WE HAVE TO BEAT NNU!!!

• Regional ranking comes out that week and we jump from #7 to #5. If we beat NNU there is no question we are in. Game day comes and we get a good crowd showing up for the game. We seem to be lacking urgency in the first half and are not playing that great. Win and we are in…we have to step up. I get on the team a little bit at halftime; we come out with more passion in the second half, but still can’t score. Then with about 15 minutes left, NNU fouls us at half field and the ref calls it although we clearly had advantage. I’m not happy that he took advantage away from us. Sabrina comes up to take the free kick and dumps it in the box. Whitney Siler makes a run across the box and in the air spins to head the ball far post…..it goes in. GREAT GOAL!!!! Seniors Carly, Sami, Jordan, Kari, Lo, Sam go out winners at home and are most likely going to go to the NCAA tournament.

• Monday, November 8….NCAA Selection Day. We go out and train that afternoon….training is great, the players are energized and excited. Head over to the athletics conference room after training for the selection show. I actually find out 2 minutes before the selection show that we are in…I don’t tell the team. When they finally hear MSU Billings announced…the room erupts!!!! WE ARE IN!!!! Cal State LA in Seattle, WA. Basically a home game for us…..I am confident we can go there and beat CSULA and the SPU.

• Team takes off the next day on two separate flights to Seattle. That night off to dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Next day training session at SPU, dinner at Anthony’s down on the Pier. Thursday…GAMEDAY.

• The day of the game the weather definitely looks to be an advantage for us. Cooler and chance of rain showers. In the first half, both teams look tight….not a lot of action. We go into halftime 0-0, but with a belief that we can win the game….we just need some magic. Second half starts out much of the same, but the sun goes down and it definitely cools off. It also begins to rain. Carly breaks her nose!!! NCAA Playoffs…love it!!! We score…awesome goal by Amanda Brusic. Up 1-0 with about 25 minutes to go. With about 15 minutes to go I sub in Carly….Lauren is pumped and so is the team (VERY INSPIRATIONAL). We switch into a 4-5-1…absorb the pressure. They start throwing everything at us. Sabrina save. Sabrina Save. Shot wide. Clock continues to tick. With about a minute and a half left I realize we are going to win…what a feeling for the current players, alumni, future players. It took us 15 years to get to the tournament….it took us one game to win at the tournament. TOP OF THE WORLD!!!!! Next up Seattle Pacific.

• Off day on the Friday and the team relaxes at the hotel until training. We head over to SPU for a jog/stretch…game definitely took a lot out of us. After training we take the team up in the Space Needle…great view. We then head back to the hotel where Julie Seedhouse (alumni director) has organized a get together for alumni, friends and family of the program. After the get together we head to Buca di Beppo for a great Italian meal with an awesome atmosphere. Great day --- tomorrow SPU.

• The game starts out with SPU controlling the ball, but not creating too many dangerous chances. Jaucey gets in behind them for a 1v1 with their keeper, but their keeper makes a good save. Then with about 10 minutes to go in the half they get a free kick right outside the box…the girl bends it up and over our wall into the upper 90. Nice goal…down 1-0 at half. We make a few adjustments at halftime, but we just don’t have the legs to chase the game. We are tired from Thursday and SPU had a bye. We do create a chance from Carly, but their keeper makes the save. Then with about 10 minutes left they get a penalty…2-0, game over --- magical season over!

There are obviously so many more memories from the season, but this is how I saw it unflod. In the end, I feel privileged to have been able to share this experience with 24great student-athletes, and yes you too Wojtek!!!!

Already looking forward to 2011 --- Return to the NCAA’s, Win the GNAC and one other goal I won’t mention on here…..but I’m sure if you think about it you can figure it out!

Happy holidays to everyone…blog will return for the spring 2011 season as we look to create more great memories for the MSUB Women's Soccer program!!!

INSPIRED BY THE SENIORS

Posted by Heidi Greenback, Freshman Forward

Awhile ago Don asked us to write the initials on our hand of the person who inspired us the most and was the reason we are here at MSUB competing for a trip to the NCAA tournament. It wasn’t till the evening after our loss at Saint Martin’s when we were all together in a hotel room and the seniors, some of them tearing up, asked us to play for them because they are playing for us that I realized who truly inspired me this season. The people I would do anything for, and who I would give everything I have to not only extend their final season at MSUB, but to extend the time I get to play with them. The six seniors: Carly Valentine, Sami Sandau, Jordan Fenwick, Kari Foreman, Sam Boehm and Lauren Anderson are my inspiration. I have worn their initials on my sock every game since then…. and every run, tackle or goal I score is dedicated to them. Even though I may have three more years at MSUB…in a way it is my last season too, my last season to play with this group of people.

The six of them can not possibly know the impact they have had on me not only as a player, but as a person too. It is not possible for there to have been better people for me to look up to as I started my freshman year. I remember my first practice and how I was completely exhausted after 15 minutes, and how intimidated I was by the upperclassmen. Those that know me know I can be incredibly shy around people I do not know, and here were six amazing athletes that I was trying to impress. To say the least I was freaked. But as time went on my shell started to crack and I realized that they will talk to me, I just had to be able to form words myself. Now I know I can always go up to any of them with anything and when tragedy did strike my family they were there for me to help pick me back up. Whether it was the texts letting me know they were there for me, the hugs at practice or the fact that every single one of them changed their Facebook status to “Fight. Believe. Hope.” It meant more than words can describe to me. While it was great to get to see and spend time with my famil, I found myself missing my teammates and even caught myself referring to Billings as home. And it is home, home to my soccer family of which this group of seniors plays a big role.

I have already created several memories that will last me a lifetime with these players whether they realize it or not: Sami, who had to the pleasure of rooming with me when I was sick, got to experience my snoring in prime form and got to walk in on me sleeping in the bathroom of the hotel. Kari and Jordan love to make fun of my frequent hand balls before practice. Carly who I swear catches me at my most embarrassing moments all the time got to experience a car ride to Subway with us freshman and heard my newly acquired accent. Lauren pointed out to me that I back-peddle a bit awkwardly, and apparently enjoys laughing at my dance moves during warm-ups. Sam Boehm saw my dorm room completely destroyed and also saw me as a mess, but she was there for me that night and it meant more than I can describe.

While I’m upset that I only got one season with these amazing people, I feel lucky to have gotten that short time with them and was able to make history alongside them. I am honored to be able to call myself their teammate and when they do great things with their lives, which I know each and every one of them will, I will be proud to say I was a part of their lives, at least a year of it anyways.

KF SS SB LA JF CV I love you guys so let’s go out and tear up the tournament because I’m not ready to say goodbye just yet, EOP!

Seniors......Final Regular Season Blog

Posted by the 2010 Senior Class

Lauren Anderson

Words cannot describe how I felt after the selection show! In the classroom where all 24 of us held hands in anticipation of the announcement of the tournament where we were surrounded by our coaches, the athletic administration, KULR 8 news crew, and members of the community. When we heard Montana State University Billings was announced, tears of joy came to my eyes. The room erupted in screams!

This has been the best senior year any of us could have ever dreamed of. Not only has this team worked hard to get where we are today, but a program of 15 years of players worked hard to help us get to the moment in the classroom where the NCAA committee told us that we get play one more game of soccer. With that being said, I cannot wait for one more road trip with these amazing girls. And I can say we are ALL going to bring our best game against Cal State LA Thursday. Seattle, here we come!!!

Sam Boehm

Life at MSUB has been one giant one rollercoaster ride with many ups and downs over the years. As everyone knows I tore my ACL my sophomore year, and although at the time I thought it was a curse, it has somehow changed into a blessing in disguise. I am SO happy I was given the opportunity to play with this 2010 MSUB women’s soccer team. I have loved every minute of it. One game that stands out the most was when we played Western Washington at home. It was a game we had to win, and as we put the goal in the back of the net everyone wearing a yellow jersey was celebrating. I could hear our bench shouting over the other teams’ as we won balls out of the air or a tackle. I hadn’t felt that kind of chemistry or bond in our team in years (yes, because I literally have been here for years!). During that game I knew we had an amazing team not only because of what we had accomplished on the field, but the unity and family we have off of it. I would not trade that feeling for anything, not even a knee with no scars on it.

Now to top it all off we have made it to the NCAA tournament for the first time! As I sat with my team all holding hands, I could not have been more nervous. This was something we have all wanted for the longest time, and to reach this point together is BEYOND amazing! I want to replay the moment when they said our team’s name and we all jumped up screaming/hugging each other. This is something I will forever remember. I love this team more than words can describe and I cannot wait to take the tournament by storm! EOP EOP!!

Jordan Fenwick

I cannot be more thrilled to be in Seattle and having the chance to play in the NCAA tournament. Everyone, including myself, laughs that we are the Yellowjackets and think it’s kind of a funny mascot. The other day I Googled facts about Yellowjackets and found out a little about them. A Yellowjackets is smaller than most type of bees, and is commonly confused with the bumble bee. A Yellowjackets is different from many bees though because it can sting repeatedly without dying.

I think about this and how this relates to our team in a few ways. We will be smaller than the teams coming up and people may over look us as just an ordinary team. What they do not know is that we are different than any team, and that we can sting many times. We can put goals away and won’t stop fighting until the game is done. When I read these facts about what a Yellowjackets I realized that I love being one!

Kari Foreman

When I first went through the calendar at the first meeting of my last season, I remember thinking, on November 8th my season, my career might be over. And the other day, for 45 minutes in a small conference room, surrounded by all the wonderful people who have made our season, our program what it is, I prayed that it wasn’t. I did what I have for four plus years. I kept my EOP! EOP! EOP!

EOP stands for “Eyes on the Prize,” but it’s more than that. EOP is blood sweat and tears. It is emotions that you never knew existed. The grand enjoyment of victory, and the sheer pain of defeat. It’s about being so happy you cry, and being so sad that you can’t stop crying. It’s 14 years of trying to make a name for yourself and always falling short, but having the courage to return to the pitch every season, because you want it that badly. EOP is never giving up. It’s dropping to your knees in exhaustion after the 75th game of your career, and then getting up and doing it again because you NEED to do it again. It’s about pushing until that clock hits zero because you know if you don’t, you’ll never forgive yourself. It’s about doing what no one ever expected you to do. It’s that dream we all have where we win that big game and the crowd storms the field. It’s about winning and losing, and never looking back because as athletes, we will go insane over thinking about the shoulda, woulda, coulda. It’s waking up early to run jangles, and staying up late to do homework. It’s that first smile that you crack in the hotel room the night after a tough loss, in spite of the fact that the game doesn’t always treat you like it should. EOP is a deep need within us, to succeed, to rise above, to triumph, to win. EOP is being a Yellowjacket, on the good days and the bad. It’s about pride and loyalty, by all of us, until we reach the ultimate goal, the chance of a lifetime. Because if you really got your EOP you can’t just be a Yellowjacket on the days where your press clippings are worth hanging on the fridge, you gotta wear that jersey, or that navy t-shirt, or that “Soccer Dad” hat, on the seasons your team goes 2-18-0, on the Thursday nights that end in disappointment. And if you do that, you’ll understand EOP on the November 8th that some guy on the Division II selection show web broadcast extends your season, or career, and confirms everything you knew deep inside you about your passionate commitment to your tumultuous relationship with Yellowacket soccer: One day it would love you back!!!

I don’t know how long I have left, but I do know this: I’m #18 on one of the top 48 Division II women’s soccer programs in the country, I’ve worked really hard to get here, and I didn’t do it alone. I have played in 75 college games, but I got a few left in me. I am a Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket, and I am damn proud of it!!!

Sami Sandau

This season has been all that I could ever wish for as a senior playing my final year of college soccer. There are many things that I would like to say about this season, but I will keep it short. What will I remember about MSUB Women’s Soccer? I will remember the people that I have met along the way, and how they will forever be a part of my life. I will remember both the good and bad times that I have played through, and the sweat, the heartache, the gratification, and the overall amazing experience that I got from being a Montana State University Billings YellowJacket. AND….I will not forget November 8, 2010 when our team made history for our program by making it to the NCAA tournament.

There have been 15 years of dedication and hard work put in to this program, and now finally our team can represent this program at the NCAA tournament. I am SOOOOO proud of all the people that have put energy in to this program and I would like to thank EVERY single person that has given time to make this program and team the way we are today! And more than anything, being a senior on this team, I could not be happier with my teammates! I am so proud of every single player on this team and we actually did it! I cannot imagine not playing with these girls next year, and I am so happy that we get to play together again ---- IN THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT !!!
EOP EOP EOP, I LOVE YOU ALL...xoxoxo

Carly Valentine

This has been the best soccer team I've ever played on, and I mean this in two ways. The actual soccer is great (hence us making it to the tournament :-)), but these are the greatest people I've ever played with as well. Each one of us has an extremely unique personality, but I couldn't ask for a different set of 24. Each and every girl has made this the perfect senior season. I wouldn't want celebrate the wins or go through the losses with anyone else either.

As you all know, we made it to the tournament! What an amazing feeling. I can't really describe the emotions I was having. I am SO happy my final season is being extended. So happy actually that I wanted to cry, scream, dance, run and at times...throw up (you all know what I'm talking about!). Now that we are going, I wouldn't want to take on this challenge with anyone else. I love each and every girl, and I know were ready to demolish Cal State LA. Thanks girls for making this the perfect senior year already, I love you all soooo much!! BRIIIIINGGG ON WASSHINNGGTOOON BABAAAYYY.

An Outstanding Group of Players

The 2010 Senior Class individual accomplishments going into the final regular season game this Saturday against Northwest Nazarene.

Lauren Anderson (Defender)
• Will graduate this December with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services
• Awarded GNAC Academic All-Conference Team 3x during her career
• Awarded MSUB Women’s Soccer Scholar Athlete in 2009
• Career games played is 65
• Career games started is 48
• Current career stats --- 3 assists for a total of 3 points
• Career shutouts as a defender --- 17

Samantha Boehm (Defender)
• Graduated Spring 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
• Will graduate this December with a Master of Arts in Public Relations
• 2009, 2010 Team Captain
• Awarded GNAC Academic All-Conference Team 3x during her career
• 2009 NSCAA/adidas 1st Team Scholar All Region
• 2009 Cosida ESPN 3rd Team Academic All District
• 2009 Honorable Mention All Conference
• 2006 1st Heartland All Conference
• Awarded MSUB Women’s Soccer Quest for Excellence in 2007
• Awarded MSUB Women’s Soccer Next Level in 2008
• Awarded MSUB Women’s Soccer Newcomer of the Year in 2006
• 1x Player of Week in GNAC during her career
• 1x Player of Week in Heartland Conference during her career
• Career games played is 65
• Career games started is 51
• Current career stats --- 2 assists for a total 2 points
• Career shutouts as a defender --- 22

Jordan Fenwick (Goalkeeper)
• Will graduate in Spring 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Career games played is 57
• Career games started is 51
• Currently 2nd all-time for career minutes played by a GK with 4577 minutes
• Currently 2nd all-time for career wins with 23
• Currently 3rd all-time for career shutouts with 8
• Currently 2nd all-time for career saves with 232
• Currently 2nd all-time for goals against average with a 1.73

Kari Foreman (Forward/Midfielder)
• Will graduate in Spring 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
• Awarded GNAC Academic All-Conference Team 3x during her career
• 3x Player of Week in GNAC during her career
• 2009 Team Captain
• 2009 NSCAA/adidas 1st Team Scholar All Region
• 2009 Daktronics 2nd Team All Region
• 2009 Honorable Mention All Conference
• 2008 2nd Team All Conference
• Awarded MSUB Women’s Soccer Newcomer of the Year in 2007
• Career games played is 75
• Career games started is 71
• Current career stats --- 23 goals, 10 assists for a total of 56 points
• Currently tied for 5th all-time for games played with 75
• Currently tied for 5th all-time for games started with 71
• Currently 5th all-time for goals scored with 23
• Currently 5th all-time for points with 56
• Currently 3rd all-time for game winning goals with 10

Samantha Sandau (Forward/Midfielder)
• Will graduate in Spring 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
• 1x Player of Week in GNAC during her career
• 2007 Honorable Mention All-GNAC
• Career games played is 75
• Career games started is 32
• Current career stats --- 12 goals, 14 assists for a total of 38 points
• Currently tied for 5th all-time for games played with 75
• Currently 9th all-time for goals scored with 12
• Currently 4th all-time for assists with 14
• Currently 8th all-time for points with 38
• Currently tied for 5th all-time for game winning goals with 5

Carly Valentine (Midfielder/Defender)
• Will graduate in Spring 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services
• 2010 Team Vice Captain
• Awarded GNAC Academic All-Conference Team 3x during her career
• 2009 NSCAA/adidas Honorable Mention Scholar All Region
• Career games played is 76
• Career games started is 75
• Current career stats --- 7 goals, 6 assists for a total of 20 points
• 1 game winning goal
• Currently tied for 3rd all-time for games played with 76
• In her next start she will become the record holder for games started with 76

As a final note, five of the seniors (Lauren, Jordan, Kari, Sami and Carly) currently have a record of 39 wins, 35 losses and 3 ties. Sam Boehm, who played in 2006, 2008-10 has a record of 43 wins, 31 losses and 3 ties. This class achieved a national ranking as high as #23 (2010 season), and Sam Boehm was on the 2006 team that was ranked as high as #8 nationally.

All six of them have certainly meant a lot to the success of our program, and it is my hope their season will continue beyond this Saturday!!!

Senior Week

Posted by Jordan Fenwick, Senior Goalkeeper

I think about senior day coming up this Saturday and there are six people including myself that I think about. Six of us have played through the good and bad at MSUB for the last four years, and each of us make up a huge part of the team.

When I look back at all the things that have happened in these past four years, there is a lot that comes to mind. I still remember all the great times at the dorms freshman year and sitting on Lauren's bed watching movies all day until I became sick from eating too much candy. I can remember sophomore year being so sore after winter running and the JUMP program that I could not walk up any stairs, nor could I sit down without being in pain. I can remember junior year when all the up and coming seniors decided to get a Tattoo that had our number and the number six, for the six seniors who have made it through everything together. And I will remember senior year as one of the best years the program has had, and how the team looked to the six seniors for advice and getting them through the hard times.

I cannot be more excited to play this Saturday against NNU and show them that these six seniors, and the whole team will get the win we deserve. The season is not going to be over this Saturday because this is our year, and we made a goal to get to the NCAA tournament and we will achieve that goal!

The Last Road Trip.....of the Regular Season

Posted by Carly Valentine, Senior Midfielder

Hmmmm what to say about this past week? We lost, we won, we traveled, and SO much more in between. This was our last game against Saint Martin's, and our last game against Western Oregon, and for the seniors, the last time we play them....ever. It was bittersweet. We had a rough game against Saint Martin's when we came out a little flat, which we suffered for in the end. However, we came back as we always do with a vengeance and beat Western Oregon under trying weather conditions, field conditions and fatigue.

Throughout writing these blogs, I've realized that each and every week is different. If one were to go back and read each blog from the beginning, they would realize the ups and downs, the bad times and good, and the different personalities shining through. It is not only different each week for the team and our performance out on the field, but for each and every individual within our team. This week is a perfect example of that.

For the seniors, it was our last road trip in regular season for the rest of our lives. For the freshmen, it was the first last road trip of their first season of four. But, if any of you watched the games this weekend, you would see each seniors' initials on the sock of some underclassmen. Although the freshmen, sophomores and juniors know they at least have one more year, they didn't play like it. Each underclassmen is playing as if it is their last season. And I know I speak for all the seniors when I say, no one knows exactly how much that means to us. It's an inexplicable feeling really...knowing that what consumed our lives for four straight years, and arguably 17 years before that, is done soon.

I'm so excited to play this weekend, and I am even more excited that I KNOW my entire team is on the same page and wants to absolutely kill WWU and Simon Fraser just as much as I do. I love my team soooo much and I am so sad that it is coming to an end, but I know we are more than capable of extending our season further than two weeks from now.

"Walking in a Jackets Wonderland"

Posted by Lauren "Lo" Anderson, Senior Defender

Again, the weeks are just flying by! This past week we spent the days preparing for another set of GNAC games. On Thursday, we stepped out onto our home turf, ready to take on Central Washington. We battled hard and walked off the field with a 4-2 win. I must say, our offense really stepped up and came alive for us that game. This was an especially special day for me because to my utmost surprise, my dad had driven in from Washington to surprise me. :) He not only got to watch us play for the first time on our home field, he got to watch his first win on our home field.

Friday we took time at practice to refocus and prepare for SPU. At practice, you could feel the team’s energy. There was definitely a fire under all of us. We wanted to show SPU that we were ready for them. Back at 643 (Home of a five of us girls), Sandy (Carly’s Mom) was busy cooking for our team dinner. By Friday night, all of the parents in town had put together a HUGE team dinner including, spaghetti with 3 different homemade sauces to choose from, homemade mac n’ cheese, pizza hut bread sticks, a variety of fruit, salad, homemade Halloween cookies, Stella’s cookies, and an assortment of Halloween candy. Everything was amazing! Thank you to everyone who helped!

Saturday’s game was not only a game against SPU; it was also the Make-A-Wish game. Senior Captain Sam Boehm worked extremely hard on a semester long project to put together this project that benefitted the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As a team we were decked out in blue! Blue shirts, shoe laces, ribbons, hair bands, finger nails and toe nails painted to support Make-A-Wish.

When the whistle blew for the start of the game, the atmosphere was almost indescribable. The crowd was a blanket of blues and golds, and the stands were overflowing with MSUB sports team members, proud parents and fans. The entire game, the field echoed of chanting, cheering, and singing support for the Lady Jackets. “Walking in a Jackets Wonderland” is still ringing in my head. There were times during the game, when you were hear the fans and you couldn’t help but smile.

As a team, we battled. At half time it was tied 1-1, and after a scoreless 2nd half, we had to prepare ourselves for overtime. The crowd supported us the entire time. I cannot tell you how much we loved and appreciated the fans. It was by far, the best crowd I have ever had the privilege to play for. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME!

Unfortunately, SPU scored in the first overtime and the game ended very abruptly. The day was a perfect day minus this painful loss. And regardless of the score of the game, I have to say that I couldn’t be more proud and honored to be a member of this team.

Today at practice, we left the SPU game behind us and started preparation for St. Martins. We leave Wednesday morning for our last conference road trip of the year and some of us, our college careers.

As the conference season is coming closer to an end, it has me reflecting my last four years. Being a part of this team, this family, has enhanced, added and given more to my life than I could have ever asked for. Our next goal as a team is to make it to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history. We are taking the rest of the season one game at a time. And I have to admit, I’m not ready for my career to be over. So making it to the tournament isn’t just a goal for me, It’s a MUST. Because, I MUST have more time being a part of this team.

My People

Posted by Kari Foreman, Senior Midfielder

Victory is defined as a success or superior position achieved against any opponent, opposition, or difficulty. If you were to Google the word Victory you will come up with a thousand different images of triumph and conquest. And if you have, in your life, experienced victory in any sort of way, you too know the feeling that makes you scream, and jump up and down, and fist pump, and hug every last one of the people that helped you get to that moment. Now picture that image, and you have our team Saturday afternoon.

This past weekend, the entire team traveled by way of charter bus to Nampa, Idaho, where we beat Northwest Nazarene University 1-0 with a well-deserved, early overtime goal. Bouncing off of a tough loss, we did what we know how: we wanted it more, and, as I told the girls prior to the start of the game, the competitor who wants the win most, eventually, will have it.

To say that I have been victorious in my career here at MSUB would be somewhat accurate, stats wise, I’ve fallen at about 500. Meaning, I’ve probably been able to bask in the glory of victory about as much as I’ve had to sulk in the pain that is defeat. But this is what I’ve learned…

I’ve learned that Jordan Fenwick has an irrational fear of cotton, and when you need a good friend, she is only ever a phone call away. I’ve learned that Carly Valentine grew up in the OC version of Washington and is there to share a good laugh about a joke that most people don’t appreciate, anytime. I’ve learned that Lauren Anderson, despite being a great athlete, is extremely dedicated to her school work and is quite a cook when it comes to tomato soup. I’ve learned that Sami Sandau is someone you can be comfortable with without saying a word, and that she is quite the survivor, raising a little boy while competing in athletics, and going to school. I’ve learned that Sam Boehm communicates with her facial expressions, before she says a word, and through her hard work, I’ve come to admire the future she has set herself up for.

I’ve learned that Kelley Minard, who loves pink and shopping, is also quite a business professional and accounting whiz. I’ve learned that Amanda Brusic, will never fail to make me laugh, specifically through her unique dancing skills. I’ve learned that Tyshea ‘LAAASHELL” Davis marches to the beat of her own drum, is particularly spunky, and is obsessed with hot cocoa. I’ve learned that Danielle Gordon is always down for anything fun, is harder on herself than anyone I’ve ever met, and quite brilliant in science.

Jaucelyn Richter is one of the hardest working girls I’ve ever played with and I’ve learned that she can carry on humorous banter better than most. I’ve learned that Courtney Harvey, who grew up in this town, has a particularly special relationship with her sister and family, and is especially kind hearted and understanding. I’ve learned that Andrea Baytaluke is a bigger peanut butter fan than I am (and that is huge) and has an infectious laugh, which fortunately for us, isn’t particularly hard to come by. I’ve learned that Adrienne Biglow , who is fun and sassy with her sarcasm and quick wit, is quite gifted when it comes to knowing who is who in the pop culture world. I’ve learned that Jen Brookshire is an individual, who does things her own way no matter what anyone else says, a quality I think is quite admirable. She is also the biggest sweet tooth I have ever met. I’ve learned that Jen Larsen is always there when and where you need her and while it doesn’t take much, is constantly laughing, a very fun and distinct laugh. I’ve learned that Janae Remsberg ( who does not like to be called JENNAY like Forrest Gump) is quite gifted at speaking Spanish and is as kind and smiley as is the rest of her HUGE family, some of whom we’ve met and even played with in the past. I’ve learned that Kristen Kastelic, who has a cute little mouse voice, is always put together and cute, and when she tells a story you can’t help but be attracted by her overwhelming enthusiasm.

And oh the Freshman, in the short time that I’ve known them I’ve learned that Heidi Greenback is actually pretty outgoing once you get to know her and is always doing something quirky and fun, which she stops if she thinks she’s being watched. I’ve learned that Whitney Siler, who is a little bit hip hop at heart, has a close relationship with her brother and does not shy away from telling you all about him and how good he is at baseball, which I think highlights how proud she is of where she came from and I respect that. I’ve learned that Sabrina Granke-Bawab is fun and sweet, and can hold a good conversation, not to mention she has quite a powerful kick, since she hit me straight in the head before a game once, all in good fun, but I wouldn’t mess with her! I’ve learned that Jackie Hill is happy about just about EVERYTHING, especially Boise State, and will follow everything she writes with a :). I’ve learned that Agen Heffernan, who is soft spoken around me, is actually pretty funny and holds inside jokes with just about every other freshman, that I don’t understand, but she lets me in from time to time. And Finally, I’ve learned that Danica Johnson is all around excited and upbeat and is willing to go on a camping trip with all upperclassmen, which is just straight up brave, I like your style D.

What I’ve learned is that it isn’t ALL about the title, but the people who are still standing by you when you finally get all you’ve ever wanted. It’s about the people who are there to help you up when you are down and the people who help you to celebrate every victory. Because this is a team sport, you can’t do it alone and in the end, we all want to win, and we will all work hard to do so. These are my people, and they are the ones who will get me to where I want to be, my fate is in their hands and their fate is in mine. I’ll tell you what though; I wouldn’t pick any other group. These are my people, and, as I approach the end of my last season, I can’t help but think, that in 24 plus ways, I’ve already won.

Let's Make Some Lemonade

Posted by Sami Sandau, Senior Forward

This past Thursday our team beat Western Oregon 2-0. It was not our prettiest game of soccer, but nonetheless we got the job done, with two corner kick finishes. We headed into Saturday’s game against Saint Martin's University with a record of 7-1-1 knowing that it was not going to be an easy game. Our team has a history with Saint Martin's, and they have always been tough to beat. Saturday was no exception and we found ourselves down at half 2-1. At halftime our team knew that we were going to have to come out fighting to get the result and we did eventually tie the game at 2-2, but at the end of the day we came up short. We lost 3-2 to Saint Martin's University making our record 7-2-1. However, even though we did not win the game, we still played strong and pushed till the very end.

We have an outstanding team and we know that the loss cannot affect our next game. We take in the feeling of the loss, we get upset about not winning, but we do NOT dwell on the past and we keep moving forward. This game did not break our season, if anything it will help to make us stronger. We do not want to feel the shame of another loss and I know that our team will step up and make great things happen for the rest of the year. We learn from our mistakes and we grow from correcting them. When life hands you lemons you make lemonade. And our team is thirsty for more wins so we will take the lemon that was thrown at us and we will make some awesome lemonade! :)

This week we only have one game to prepare for. We will be traveling down to Nampa, Idaho to play Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, and the game will be on Saturday. Northwest Nazarene has been doing well this year and it will be a good game, BUT I know that our team is up for the challenge and we will settle for nothing less than a WIN! I am very proud to be on this team, and I respect every one of my teammates! I know that we will have a great rest of the season and it starts on SATURDAY with our EOP!! (Eyes on the prize)

On the Road Again

Posted by Carly Valentine, Senior Midfielder

Despite all the challenges of the last week, including missing classes, being on the road for the third week in a row, and fighting fatigue, I’d say we ended on a pretty good note! We started out our travels in Vancouver B.C., where we played Simon Fraser. Along with the game having some pretty odd weather conditions, such as fog preventing us to see our teammates across the field :); it was extremely intense as well. However, through the rain, fog, and cold, we seemed to pull through and win! Whoooo. Our next focus was Western Washington, and boy was it great to be back in the U.S.A! WWU is a team we hadn’t ever beat. You wouldn’t have known this on Saturday however, as we beat Western 1-0. These two wins gave the entire team an incredible feeling. Not only were we on the road, but we had just beat two nationally ranked teams. I say we were on the road, but if you happened to be at either one of these games you wouldn’t have noticed. Both games showcased our own little Yellowjacket Fan club, complete with signs, scarves, cheers and loving parents. We REALLY appreciated all of the supporters. So for everyone who came to our games, thank you so much!

All of the wins, the fans, the traveling and the bonding are what makes the thought of the end of our season the most bitter feeling in the world. Constantly throughout the trip the seniors relive past memories at each field, hilarious moments at each hotel, and the scary plane rides to and from our destination all while making new memories to add to the list. Because of this, I know we are all excited for these last 10 games. I know we are all doing everything we can to extend our season past November 6th, and I know we are more than capable of getting there. This weekend proved that not only to ourselves but to the GNAC!

GNAC Play Begins

Posted by Lauren "Lo" Anderson, Senior Defender

This week definitely went by way too fast. We only had two days of school last week before we hit the road again to Washington for our first two conference games of my last season. In Seattle, we played SPU at their home field which is always one of the toughest atmospheres to play in the GNAC. I must say we had a killer support system backing us up in the stands to help us through our first conference challenge. I can still see the image of all the diehard fans holding huge letters that spelt GO MSUB . The new soccer scarves were definitely a big hit as well. All of the families, friends, and former players there was so great. They really added to the energy of the game. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we wanted, but one of the fans said at the end of the game, “we’ll get SPU on our Turf,” and I couldn’t agree more.

The next morning, Pikes Market with the team was really fun. We had some time to enjoy ourselves, move on from the loss and start to prepare ourselves for Central Washington. Saturday morning in Ellensburg, we had another great turnout of support and we stepped out onto the field and battled our way to a victory over Central Washington 2-1, coming from behind. We flew back home with a split on the weekend against two respectable opponents.

Now that I am a senior and conference has started on my last season ever, I find myself saying almost daily how strange it is that it’s all coming to an end. I spent a lot of time with the other seniors this trip and when together, I find it hard NOT to talk about how fast it went, and reminisce about so many memories we all share together. It seems crazy that as a freshman you think it will never end, and as a senior you have no idea where all the time went. I also had a small epiphany this weekend about the seniors. We are old. Not only do I envy the Freshies, and how much energy they have, it was also confirmed when I gave Sam (Senior Captain) a 15 minute hip massage. : )

For the Love of the Game

Posted by Kari Foreman, Senior Midfielder

We traveled to my hometown of Lakewood Colorado this past weekend to play our last two regional games. It proved successful as we beat Colorado Christian University 4-1and tied Colorado School of Mines 1-1 (#8 in the most recent Midwest Regional Poll ). We are undefeated in regional play for the first time since I started playing for MSUB in 2007, a sweet start to my senior year.

The trip was particularly special for me because it was the first time a lot of my family and friends have been able to watch my team play. They were at both games, with high spirits and t-shirts that I have sent home, on numerous occasions, from the bookstore here on campus. I am blessed to have such a wonderful and enthusiastic support system back home. I was so thrilled to have my family be there to support my soccer family, and to those of you who do read the blog, thank you so much for being there for me throughout my ENTIRE soccer career and life. I love you all.

When I got to visit for that short time, one of my many supporters asked me all about my life as a college athlete and after I explained in detail to her the often overwhelming schedule we go through on a daily basis she asked me “Do you love it?”. Truth: I’m obsessed, completely head over heels, could even be considered soccer’s creepy stalker, LOVE IT. Former player Sara Gress once referred to soccer as a complicated relationship because no matter how many times it gets you down you always come back. You notch that one game winner and you can taste that sweet moment for a long time. I replay every bad day with soccer over and over again and contemplate how I could have done it differently, I lose sleep over soccer. I hate how soccer makes me feel. But the next day, on the road in Western Oregon, second overtime, two fans and a muddy jersey, I score the golden goal. The euphoric feeling is something you just don’t forget, the team laughing and cheering, you’re a winner, and there is no other feeling as addicting as being a winner. You can’t break up with soccer, because when you are with soccer you are better than yourself, you are a part of something bigger than you. Because for just that minute that you score that goal, make that save, stick that tackle, you go from ordinary to extraordinary.

The problem is, that eventually, competitively anyways, soccer will leave you. And you aren’t allowed to go back, because it moves on without you. Some of us will hang on, trying out our luck in older leagues, or coaching, but for all of us, who have been both recognized and scorned by the six letter hobby, the lessons we have learned while we were with it will be with us forever. And occasionally, when we step on that field again, as a coach, a rec player or a spectator, we can relive our glory days with those who are willing to listen.

For now, soccer is slowly trying to divorce me, but I’m doing everything I can to hold on for as long as I can. We all are. Tell us we aren’t even ranked and that we are facing # 8 in the region, see if we falter. Because, we don’t care who we have to beat, we want that feeling, we want to be winners. This is our time, to prove to soccer and ourselves that we are extraordinary. And we’ll do it all, for the love of the game.

MSUB Cup Champions!

Posted by Sam Boehm, Senior Captain

Our team is off to a great start with two big regional wins this past Labor Day weekend. On Friday we beat Dixie State 1-0. Heidi scored her first collegiate goal with the game winner! We played again on Monday with a great win versus University of Mary. The game ended 4-1 with goals by Jen Brookshire (her classic diving header), Sami Sandau, Kari Foreman, and Jen Larsen. With the two wins, we won the 8th Annual MSUB Cup and as a bonus Sami was named tournament MVP. The team couldn't be happier with this start to the season!

School starts tomorrow which I'm sure everyone is excited about (wink wink..) and we have one practice before we head off to Colorado. There we will have two more regional games against Colorado Christian and Colorado School of Mines. These are both huge games for us not only because they are regional, but because we lost to Colorado Christian 1-0 last year and School of Mines made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament last season. I am looking forward to getting revenge on Colorado Christian, as well as a great win against Colorado School of Mines. It should be a fun trip with great games. We are also stopping at Kari Foreman's house in Colorado for a home cooked meal...Looking forward to that as well!

Preseason 2010

Posted by Sam Boehm, Senior Captain

We all made it through this year’s preseason and are ready for the season to begin! Preseason was tough and grueling as always, but we have come out a better team. All the practices and sprints are worth it in the long run! We had mainly two practices a day along with two exhibition games and finished the preseason with an intra-squad Blue/Gold Game this past Sunday. Along with the training and games, our team has enjoyed the team dinners that families around Billings have been so gracious to provide us (another plus to preseason!!)

We have another week of training to prepare for our first game against Dixie State. The game is this Friday at 5pm at the COT field. We are excited start the season off and get some games under our belts. We all have high expectations for this season and are ready to show the GNAC what we’ve got. Hope to see you all at our games this weekend!

15th Anniversary Team

Congratulations to the members of the 15th Anniversary Team:

Goalkeeper

* Megan Plank, 2003-2006

Defenders

* Lacey Albrent, 2004-2005 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Abby Bennett, 2004-2007
* Sara Gress, 2005-2008
* Vicky McCarthy, 1999, 2001-2002 (Member of All-Decade Team)

Midfielders

* Melissa Carlson, 2005-2008
* Margot Merrill-Johnson, 2001-2004 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Mandy Ploskonka, 2005-2008
* Brittney Sandau, 2004-2007

Forwards

* Abby Farmer, 1997-2001 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Ally Stroup (Taylor), 2003-2006

Summer Check In

Posted by Kelley Minard, Junior

Preseason is just around the corner, one week away! Time really flew! I know I can speak for everyone when I say how excited we are to be reunited again. I have been counting the days to when I will see my teammates again and to meet the new ones that have joined the MSUB family. It's been nice to train a little with the girls that decided to come back early, and it's interesting to see that we can spend a
whole summer apart and still come together as if we just saw each other yesterday. True family, true teammates, true friends. I look forward to this preseason because it will not only tighten the bond between the upper classmen, but also extend it to the new comers experiencing their first MSUB preseason. I will never forget my first day as a freshman coming into preseason, ten sets of jingle jangles right off the bat. Needless to say, I was a little intimidated.

But days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and months finally turned into a couple years. I am a junior this year, heading into my third preseason. I was talking to a couple of my older teammates and we both agreed that even though we have been through it a couple of times, nothing can shake those preseason jitters. Emotions of anticipation, excitement and nervousness flooding in as
time grows nearer, welcoming the thoughts of pre season just around the corner. You just have to love it.

This summer was busy! Between workouts, jobs, and our co-ed team, I was always doing something. I nannied for a family with two boys. They are great kids and I enjoyed spending the summer with them. I also got to travel home a lot which was nice.

It just seems like yesterday all of us were meeting up in Mexico to celebrate the beginning of summer, and now we’re getting ready for preseason. Crazy how fast it flies. Well, I am very excited to see everyone and to conquer another preseason. :] EOP.

Summer Check In

Posted by Jaucelyn Richter, Sophomore

Summer is quickly coming to an end and I know we're all asking ourselves ‘WHERE HAS IT GONE?’ Although we'll all miss the summer months, I think I can speak for most of us that it is pretty exciting to think we'll all be together again (only about one week left!).

My summer went well; I spent most of it in Billings with an occasional trip to my cabin at Canyon Ferry Lake. I also went to the National Folk Festival, which was a very interesting experience! I worked two soccer camps to make some summer money, including our own MSU-B overnight camp, and I am currently working a soccer camp for the Magic City Soccer Club. It is a lot of work, but fun to coach the kids. I also had a small baby-sitting job with Courtney watching Wojtek and Maggie's twin girls. They were such a blast.

Staying in shape has definitely become top priority as pre-season starts to creep up on us. There will be plenty of hard work and some very hot weather, but it will be well worth it to work towards that top spot in the conference!!! :] I'm getting really excited to see how we’ll we do this fall.

See you all soon. EOP.

Summer Check In

Posted by Kari Foreman, Senior

As the summer continues to roll on I find myself one month away from the beginning of the last season of my college career. My summer, thus far, has been filled with workouts and a slew of odd jobs that continue to diversify my resume and pay the rent. I have enjoyed spending time with my family in Denver, but will be happy to return to my teammates and my humble abode in Billings, Montana next week.

Among the many things I have found myself a part of this summer, I have spent the majority of my time taking on the daunting task of figuring out the rest of my life (or at least where I am going to end up post-MSUB). I have always identified myself by the things that I do, and for as long as I can remember that has mainly been soccer. When I first meet someone and they ask me about myself, the first three sentences always include something about my time at MSUB. I am a college athlete and have been for the past three years, but in less than six months I will have BEEN a college athlete and I need to find something else to identify myself with. In a lot of ways, I will need to find out who I really am.

I have learned a lot in my time at MSUB, almost all of which goes beyond the field. I have accomplished many things and have also made many mistakes. I am proud of myself in many ways and there are also some things that I wish I had handled differently, but those things probably taught me the most of all. In my time as a part of this team, I have slowly begun to realize who I am besides a center midfielder, who I want to be as a person and who I don’t. I couldn’t tell any of you exactly who I am, but I can tell you that I am grateful for my team and Don for helping me to find that out, and for being there throughout the journey, good and bad.

So, what’s next? Your guess is as good as mine. I do know that I will give everything I have to my team, my coaches and myself this next fall. I will play hard on the field and I will work hard off. I will study for the GMAT and apply for grad school to receive my professional MBA. I will look for an internship at some of the PR firms in Denver and I will continue to find out who I am. Most importantly though, I will spend time with the team and the friends that have become my second family, because they may be the best way to identify who I was, who I am, and who I’m going to be.

Of the few things that I can be sure of for my future, I know that together our team will take on the GNAC this fall and all of the challenges that it presents. We will win and lose, suffer in the heat and freeze in the rain, be happy and sad, but we will all come out better people for it. This group is some of the hardest working girls that I have ever met. That is how our program works, and I think we would all agree that we are lucky to be a part of it. I wouldn’t change anything that happened to me here at MSUB, and I want to go out on top. Together, we have all the tools necessary to be successful. We deserve it and we will work for it. Without sounding too much like a Nike commercial, failure is not an option this fall. EOP!

Summer Check In

Posted by Jennifer Larsen, Sophomore

I cannot believe how fast this summer has gone by. Preseason is right around the corner and apporaching quickly! I am so excited to go back to Billings and reunite with the MSUB team and meet the incoming freshman!

At the beginning of summer, I went to Cancun with my family about 2 weeks before the team went and stayed in the same city, Playa Del Carmen. We went kayaking in the clear blue waters, played soccer on the beach, and relaxed by the pool for about a week. After we got back, I went to Regionals in New Mexico with a state team from Arizona and we made it to the quarterfinals! I have also hung out with Kristen Kastelic a few times this summer and had SO much fun! The World Cup occupied the majority of my mornings for that four week period and I am bummed that it is over already.

Jenn Brookshire is coming to my house in three days to see what Arizona is all about. We will be visiting my grandparents’ cabin in Minnesota for about a week where we will do lots of wakeboarding, skiing, tubing and enjoying the nice weather. After we get back, Jenn and I are driving up to Billings to be with the team. It has been an amazing summer for me, but I can't wait to get out of the Arizona heat and back to training with the girls again! Bring on the soccer!

15th Anniversary Team

Posted by Don Trentham, Head Coach

MSUB Women’s Soccer Alumni, Current Players, Former and Current Coaches and Athletic Administration,

This upcoming season we will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of soccer at MSUB. One of the ways we want to celebrate the occasion is by choosing the “15th Anniversary Team”. This team will be honored on Saturday, October 2nd at halftime of our game versus Saint Martin’s University. Furthermore, we will also have a brunch on Sunday, October 3 to honor the “15th Anniversary Team” which everybody will be invited to.

Listed below is information for voting for the “15th Anniversary Team”, as well as the names of the players who are eligible to be voted in.

To View the MSUB Record Book Visit This Link:

http://www.msubillings.edu/athletics/Womens_Soccer/Womens%20Soccer%20Record%20Book.pdf

Criteria

1. Player must have played at least two seasons for MSUB
2. Player must have completed their eligibility at MSUB
3. Player cannot be a current player (players who are seniors in 2010 are not eligible)
4. Team will consist of 1 GK, 4 Defenders, 4 Midfielders, 2 Forwards (11 players)
5. Eligible to vote – alumni, current players, former and current head/assistant coaches, current Athletic Director, current Senior Women’s Administrator, current SID’s
6. If a player receives votes in more than one position I will transfer their votes to the position that they have received the most votes for (i.e. 7 votes for defender and 3 votes for midfielder ---- would be 10 votes for defender).
7. Elected teams will take place every five years (i.e. 15th, 20th, 25th, etc.) and will be selected the summer before the anniversary season. For example, the 15th Anniversary team will be selected in the summer of 2010, as the Fall 2010 season will be the 15th season for MSUB Women’s Soccer.
8. Players eligible for “15th Anniversary Team” will be members of the All-Decade Team, as well as any player who finished playing between the 2006-2009 seasons.
9. Anniversary Teams will be placed on a plaque listing the team and all the members (to be displayed in the athletic building), as well as on a banner (to be displayed at Yellowjacket Field). Furthermore, they will be honored at halftime of the game during the Futbol Frenzy Weekend of the Anniversary Year (i.e. 2005, 2010, 2015, etc.)
10. Each member will also receive an individual gift honoring their accomplishment, as well as a “Lifetime Soccer Season Pass” so they and their family can attend future MSUB games.

Eligible Players for “15th Anniversary Team” – listed alphabetically by position

Goalkeepers (Pick One)

* Gretchen Kaus, 1999-2000 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Megan Plank, 2003-2006

Defenders (Pick Four)

* Lacey Albrent, 2004-2005 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Abby Bennett, 2004-2007
* Sara Gress, 2005-2008
* Kristen Johnson, 1999-2002 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Janica Larsen, 2004-2007
* Vicky McCarthy, 1999, 2001-2002 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Mandy Reed, 2000-2003 (Member of All-Decade Team)

Midfielders (Pick Four)

* Megan Beckstead, 2003-2004 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Melissa Carlson, 2005-2008
* Candy Cherry, 2001-2004 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Stephanie Clark, 2001-2004 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Caitlin Differding, 2006-2009
* Chelsea Libby, 2005-2009
* Margot Merrill-Johnson, 2001-2004 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Mandy Ploskonka, 2005-2008
* Dani Ritter, 2006-2007 *career cut short due to injury
* Brittney Sandau, 2004-2007
* Amy Stephens, 2004-2007

Forwards (Pick Two)

* Caitlin Differding, 2006-2009
* Abby Farmer, 1997-2001 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Chelsea Libby, 2005-2009
* Jenny Moellendorf, 2003-2006
* Sara Otis, 2000-2003 (Member of All-Decade Team)
* Brittney Sandau, 2004-2007
* Ally Stroup (Taylor), 2003-2006

All votes must be received Monday, August 9th --- please email votes to me at dtrentham@msubillings.edu. Please remember only alumni, current players (with the exception of the 2010 Freshman Class), former and current head/assistant coaches, current Athletic Director, current Senior Women’s Administrator and current SID’s are the only ones allowed to vote.

Please help pass this information on to your former teammates. Hope all is well with everyone and I hope to see you October 2-3 at Futbol Frenzy!

Summer Check In

Posted by Adrienne Biglow, Sophomore

I have had a great summer so far! I can’t believe in a little over a month preseason will be in full swing. Not only that, but in three weeks many of the girls on the team are reuniting in Billings to spend some quality time together before training starts. It will be great to get the chance to kick the ball around a bit and have some running companions to help us prepare for the intensity of preseason. I am also hoping that we will be able to take a weekend trip up to Jaucelyn's cabin for a little team bonding. It seems everyone is anxious to see each other again, I sure know I am!

With the exception of our team trip to Mexico, I have spent my summer at home in Yakima, Washington. It has been so great and relaxing to be back at home for the past two months. After my sister went back to Portland at the end of May, I had to put all of my efforts toward finding a summer job. This turned out to be a bit more difficult than I expected because apparently not many businesses want to hire someone who isn't available in the month of August. However, after weeks of putting out applications I finally got hired at a local golf course. This turned out to be a perfect fit for me because when the course isn't busy I get to sit behind the desk and read! I have loved having the opportunity to catch up on my summer reading (I have already finished four books). Although I am loving the time spent at home with my family, I am getting really excited and anxious to get back to Billings to see the girls again and see what we can accomplish in the upcoming fall season!

Summer Check In

Posted by Jennifer Brookshire, Sophomore

My summer has been quiet so far, filled with lots of working, hiking and soccer. I work at the amazing Fry's electronics as a cashier where I realized I can't count money to save my life. I only have five days left of work and I'm very excited! After I finish work, I'm going whitewater rafting with my family. That will bring back memories of going with the freshmen class at the MSUB overnight camp. I also might go skydiving with my mom and Will Whitworth (a member of the men's soccer team). I hope I can return to MSUB with all of my bones and ligaments in place!

On July 15th, I will be flying to Arizona to see Jen Larsen. We have been apart for WAY too long and I think we will have the best time ever! We will be going on many adventures around Mesa, AZ, including a visit to Kristen Kastelic on her day off and seeing where she lives. Also, we're heading to Minnesota to hang out with Jen's family. There we'll be going tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding and (of course) running the summer workouts! I have never tubed, water skied or wakeboarded before so this should be an interesting trip! Boy oh boy I can't wait!

Hope everyone is having a good summer! Can’t wait to see everyone in August! Stay classy MSUB fans! :)

Summer Weekly Check In

Posted by Courtney Harvey, Sophomore

As many girls stated, our trip to Playa del Carmen was a blast. It was great to see my other teammates and made me realize how much I miss seeing them every day! I have spent my time at home working on our family-owned tree farm, hiking and riding horses. I plan to spend a few weekends at Jaucelyn's cabin on Canyon Ferry Lake, and I will also be busy working a few camps in Billings. The week of June 27th through July 2nd a few other teammates and I will be working the annual MSUB overnight camp. Having attended the camp the past four years, I am excited to experience the camp from a coach's point of view. It will also be enjoyable to visit with the incoming freshman who will be attending the camp!

With all the excitement and craziness of summer, I still find myself anticipating the upcoming 2010 season. With ten returning starters, a solid incoming freshman class and an overall outstanding squad, I am excited, along with many others, to see what our team can accomplish in the fall. To reach our utmost potential, everyone on the team must do their part and I can say with confidence I know we will!!

Summer Check In

Posted by Carly Valentine, Senior

Summer has been a blast so far, and this past week definitely hasn't been any different. We have been planning this trip for months and it finally came...MEXICO! On Tuesday morning we started our adventure. Most of the girls flew out of the Denver airport, so we had to drive all the way from Billings to Denver first. Once we arrived in Denver, we had a big sleepover with everyone having to leave in the morning at different times. Jordan, Courtney, Libby and Andrea had to leave for the airport at 3am! It was quite a long process to actually get to Mexico, but SOO worth it.

Once we finally got to the beautiful sun-filled beach, it was nothing but fun and relaxing times along the way. We mostly hung out on the beach the first day (when most of us got massive sun burns). At night, the hotel put on shows from disco dances to comedy nights. These were a lot of fun for us because we had gotten to know all the performers during the day.

On Friday we all decided to go on a little adventure. We went on a trip that included riding ATVs ten miles in to the jungle where we got to go on zip lines! Though we were all constantly sweating the whole time because it was so hot, it was still an absolute blast! Finally, to cool off we got to go in a fresh water cave underground. This was a bit intimidating at first, but once you were inside it was refreshing and very fun!

Sadly, now we are all back in the States. Although, I think everyone might be happy to sleep in their own bed again! It was so great to see all the girls. I'm used to seeing them literally every day of my life, and I hadn’t seen many of them for a full month! For Kristen, Janae, Jenn and Jenn, I MISS YOU GUYS!! I cannot wait to see you in August:-)

Summer Check In

Posted by Janae Remsburg, Sophomore

Where has the summer gone!!! It’s been about a month and a half since school got out and I can barely believe it. When I decided to stay in Billings I was under the impression that it would be sunny and mid 70’s; just like it would be in California if I went home. However, the last couple of weeks I have been cooped up inside due to the abundant amount of rain and wind. Finally this weekend’s forecast was perfect and I intended to enjoy the weather.

I was able to go outside and the best time I have had all summer occurred in the sunny hills of Shepherd. For the first time in my life, I rode a horse. Being from California, the opportunities to show my inner cow girl were slim to none. So I finally mounted my horse and at a snail's pace walked into the distance, mainly because they gave me a 27 year old horse that was slower than a rock for my first ride. It was a wonderful experience and I cannot wait to do it again, on a faster horse however.

While I was riding horses and learning how to track deer, I keep thinking about how most of the girls were enjoying the exotic scenery of Mexico. I hope you guys had a wonderful time and I’m already waiting to see the pictures from your trip. This summer has been great so far, and maybe next weekend I’ll learn how to go fishing or shoot a gun. Have a wonderful rest of the summer and see everyone in about a month in a half!

Summer Check In

Posted by Lauren Anderson, Senior

Summer is at full blast! It has been very relaxing and enjoyable to spend time at home with my family and friends. I have had lunch a few times with Sam Boehm in Portland and kept in touch with the girls through Facebook and texts; it’s weird not seeing them every day!

Today Sam, Adrienne and I went on quite an adventure traveling across the country to Playa del Carmen, Mexico to meet up with nine other girls from the team at an all inclusive resort. It´s Kari´s sister´s graduation and she came here with her family for her senior trip and invited all of us to come along! As of now, we haven´t found anyone yet in this massive hotel but we are managing just fine!

So, we´re off for a week of sunshine, blue ocean, pools and fun times with friends. It´ll be a blast!!!

Summer Check In

Posted by Kristen Kastelic, Sophomore

We are almost a month into summer and I’m sure everyone is enjoying the break. While it is nice have some time off and relax, we all have to remember our goal in the fall to win the GNAC (eyes on the prize!!!). It’s important that while we are all apart, we work as hard as we can for each other so we can come back better and ready to win!

I just finished my freshman year at MSUB and I had such a great time. I love being a student-athlete, and I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to be part of an amazing team! We had a great fall and great spring season, and I feel like every time our team plays together we get better and better. I can’t wait for next season because I know we can accomplish all our goals, and I know that everyone is going to put everything they have into this summer and next fall so we can win the GNAC.

Summer has been good for me so far, it is nice and hot here in Arizona and I’m loving it! I just got a job as a summer camp counselor. I’m excited that I will get to play with kids all day! We get to play games, swim, and rock climb; it should be a lot of fun. I hope we get to play soccer too :)!

Most of the team is going to Mexico in a few days! I hope everyone has a safe trip and lots of FUN!!! I wish I could be there! Enjoy the rest of summer everyone!!!

Summer Check In

Posted by Andrea Baytaluke, Sophomore

Summer time is a time for self reflection. It gives you the opportunity to focus on the things that you as an individual know you need to improve on. Knowing my teammates as well as I do, I know everyone is at home working hard, striving to become the best they can be for next year. We all work well together and are all great friends, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t all fight and battle for a place on the team. Whether it’s for a starting spot or to keep a starting spot, everyone has a goal they need to accomplish.

This past year as a freshman at MSUB has brought many changes for me, especially being from another country. Each change has brought out a new side of me and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow as a person, student and athlete. As a young adult, I have had to push myself as an individual on and off the soccer field. I have also been pushed by my coaches and teammates, as well as by my professors in the classroom. I have found that everyone is extremely supportive of each other and more than willing to help each other with any problems on and off the field.

With that being said, I can't wait to see the team again and miss them a ton! THUMBS UP FOR BEING REUNITED IN MEXICO in 15 DAYS YEEEEHAAAAAWW!!!

Summer Check In

Posted by Danielle Gordon, Junior

Summer has finally arrived in Billings and it was sad say goodbye for the summer, but the break will be well utilized! We will all be using the time we have to clear our minds from school and put focus toward one goal: soccer. We will make steps towards accomplishing that goal through the work we are about to put in this summer. Something I have really enjoyed about transferring to MSUB from a junior college is the change in pace and work ethic; a pace that continues year round from the girls and the coaching staff.

Transferring from a junior college has been not only a change in pace on the pitch, but also in the classroom, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. By being pushed farther in the classroom and outside in soccer, I had to make a few adjustments in my study habits to make sure I would be able to accomplish the goals that I have set for myself in school. Unfortunately, I had to cut out the late night street soccer games that my old men’s and women’s teams enjoyed on a regular basis at Iowa Western, but in the end it has made me a better all around student-athlete. It has also given me a lot of appreciation for the girls who have been here before me and put in the time and effort to make this program what it is today.

I was fortunate to play for a very good junior college program for the two years prior and have them to thank for where I am today. Now I am at MSUB with a great bunch of friends and teammates, along with a supportive yet demanding coaching staff that I know will help me keep moving forward. One thing I was nervous for was the transition, meeting a new team and fitting into a new family; but in the end everything was very easily made as all of the girls were very welcoming and made me feel right at home, especially the three girls who took me in the middle of the summer as a last minute roommate :-)

I have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to work for this summer. I cannot wait to return back to my family away from home and put together the work we have completed over the summer into an atmosphere that is set up for success. I miss all of you girls!!! And over the next couple of months let’s keep our “Eyes on the Prize!”