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.