Off the Field with Anik Huffman and Lindsay Curtin
Nov. 8, 2004
Anik takes a moment to reflect on senior night.
Tuesday, October 19
Tonight we played FSU, one of our biggest in-state rivals and also an ACC game for us. We ended up losing 1-0, which was of course disappointing, but in taking a positive from the game, we played well together as a team. I think we turned in one of our best performances as far as staying focused for 90 minutes tonight. We just have to find a way to win next time!! We created some good opportunities and had good stretches of possession, but were unable to capitalize on our opportunities.
Thursday, October 21
I can’t believe it!! Tonight is senior night!! I have watched three classes of seniors before me have this night and various other teams as we have traveled and played against teams who were having their senior nights. It never quite hits you until it is actually your own. Even now, I don’t feel like the four of us really feel like it is the end. We know we have three more regular season games counting tonight and then hopefully some post-season games.
Andrea Radice, Britney Butcher, Gitana Gotay and myself. These are the three people I stand next to tonight, and I couldn’t feel luckier. I am so proud of all of us, for our persistence and contribution to our team over the past four years. You guys are the best, and though I will truly miss playing with you, I know we leave our team in good hands for the future and the friendships we have made will stand the test of time. I wrote a poem for senior night. It goes like this:
Tonight is Thursday,
October 21, 2004,
We will play our last college home game;
There will be no more.
It is hard to believe we began our journey together 4 years ago,
We have persevered together through the highs and the lows.
From coming in that summer fresh out of high school,
I can still remember us describing what home was like from the front door to the backyard pool.
Many have come and gone from the team,
Whether through injury, health, or change in dream,
But we have stood side by side through it all,
Ready to catch each other should one stumble or fall.
The bond that has resulted is indescribably strong,
I love you guys so unconditionally and will my whole lifelong.
Four preseasons and fitness tests are merely feathers in our cap,
Oh how we learned to value even those 15 minute naps!!
Early morning weights, drug tests, or military warm-up,
Sometimes we were to tired to talk and barely mutter a “What’s up”
There is no embarrassment here- we’ve seen each other at our best and at our worst,
We learned to appreciate each other and put one another first.
Thanks for sharing all of your lives,
From classes, to triumphs, to disappointments, to relationships with guys.
I count it as one of my life’s greatest honors to have spent the last four years playing with you,
But I know I have been given an even greater gift; the gift of true
friendship that will help me face the future and all that is new.
Andrea Radice, Britney Butcher, Gitana Gotay and me,
We are the four seniors who stand here and this is what we see:
A strong team full of compassion and pride,
Poised and ready for a wonderful career and believe us it’s a wonderful ride.
The team is in great hands so make the best of your time,
The future is for you; you will write the next line.
Thanks for filling our careers and our lives with so much color, passion and strength,
And we will watch you with pride as you go the next length.
– Love the seniors –
It was an emotional night, as senior nights usually are. We ended up losing to my hometown school UCF 2-1. Both teams played well, but in the end they came out with the win.
Sunday, October 24
Today we played our final ACC game of the regular season. We traveled to Blacksburg, Va. to take on Virginia Tech. They scored in the early part of the second half. We were able to answer right back with a goal from Shannon Sanguinetti and Lindsey Yach immediately after their goal. Virginia Tech scored later on in the half to make it 2-1, and this is what the final result would be as well. We were disappointed to finish our ACC conference play this way and add another loss to our season. However, we know that we still have one more game and then a chance to make an impact in the post-season. Miami pride will take us through the remainder of our season with a determination to finish hard and strong.
We play our final game of the regular season on Wednesday night at FAU, and we plan to end our regular season with a strong performance!! Check back on us on Wednesday!!
– Anik
Lindsay gets a chance to meet up with family and friends in her home state of Virginia.
Sunday, October 24
After our win against FIU, we were all happy and ready for a little relaxing time on Friday, but we were back practicing over the weekend to get ready for FSU and UCF, two big in-state rivals.
Tuesday night after a nap then our usual pregame team meal, we played FSU. It was a great game. We came out playing very well and showed FSU that we came to play. We were extremely organized and had some great chances on goal. Yet, we did not come out with the result we hoped. Despite holding them to only one goal, we were not able to win the game. We all very upset about this tough loss. We have had so many games this year that have been so close that it is a killer to lose another one, especially to a highly ranked team.
After Tuesday night we were all very worn out, but we had to prepare for our game on Thursday against UCF. After a tough practice on Wednesday we were all pushing for a win on Thursday, yet, despite a goal by Yach, we could not come out on top. Once again we were all very upset to lose, but all we could do was begin preparing for our game on Sunday against Virginia Tech our last ACC game.
Friday was our “Fall Break” and after an early practice a bunch of the girls and I went to the beach! I was so excited because it was only the second time I have been to the beach since I have been in Miami. It was a beautiful day and it was great to swim in the ocean and try to get rid of my soccer tan. After coming back from a nice day at the beach, a few of us avoided “the cafe” and went to Cheesecake Factory for a delicious dinner and turned in early to get a good night sleep before leaving for VTech in the morning.
I was very excited to go play Tech, not only because I knew we had a good chance of winning, but also I would get to play against many players I grew up playing with through club and ODP. Plus, a bunch of my friends were going to come up to Tech to watch the game, with some of my friends who go to Tech. Also both my Mom and Dad were going to come to the game.
Even though my mom comes up to visit me often, it is always great to see my parents. It is hard being so far away from home. Even though I really enjoy being in Miami and I love my team, I still miss my family and friends back in Virginia.
Saturday morning we left for Virginia, and after a long day of flying and a layover we arrived at our hotel. We had a team dinner, and then relaxed for the night. Sunday we were all ready to play, and I was especially pumped with all my friends in the stands. We came out dominating the game, but in the second half Tech was able to score. But we were not going to let them have an easy win. Within a minute of their goal, we came back at them with a goal by Yach.
They then scored another goal, and despite our efforts, were able to hold us to a 2-1 loss. It is so hard to keep coming so close and never being able to pull out the win, especially against Tech who moved into the ACC this season with us.
After the game I was happy to see my friends and parents, but I was only able to hang out for about 10 minutes before having to get on the bus to shower and go to the airport. Even though I barely got to talk to them, I was excited to see my friends, who I had not hung out with since I left for Miami at the beginning of August. But we had to get the airport for another long night of flying. We did not get to our dorms until 1:30 that night.
After tough games on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, I was dead and could not wait to go to sleep after doing some homework.
All we can do now is set our sites on FAU on Wednesday, and then look forward to the ACC tournament play-in game on Sunday. We do not yet know who we are playing, but it could be Tech again, or we could be off to Wake Forest for our game. Either way we are GOING to win! Look for Miami to be the big surprise in the ACC tournament.
Wish us luck on Wednesday and Sunday! I will be letting you know how it goes! See ya soon!
– Lindsay
