@CanesFutbol Captain's Corner: Nov. 22, 2016

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – For the second year in a row, the captains of the University of Miami soccer team will be writing a blog for HurricaneSports.com throughout the season called Captain’s Corner.

Tuesday, Shannon McCarthy, a redshirt senior defender from Brighton, Mich., provided the final entry of the year. The three-year team co-captain looks back on this past season, thanks the many people who have helped her throughout her soccer career and touches on what her future entails . . .

Thank you for visiting the last Captain’s Corner entry of the 2016 season. It’s been one heck of a ride. This is my final post, so Gianna [Dal Pozzo] and I will be passing the torch onto the next leaders of the team for the 2017 season.

After five years as a Hurricane all I can say is “Wow.” I have grown more as an athlete and a person than I ever thought I would. I can literally say I am a completely different person then when I first started my collegiate soccer career at the ripe age of 17. I owe that to the Athletes in Action Christian ministry for completely changing the trajectory of my life through soccer. AIA unleashed my potential on the field and my ability to lead with a selfless love in my heart. The impact AIA has made on my life inspires me to join the AIA staff after my playing days over. My dream is to help athletes reach their full potential in their sport through faith by bringing God into their sport.

To my teammates who gave it their all with me day in and day out: You inspire me. No matter what the circumstance was, your resilient effort and work rate pushed me to become better in any way to help the team. Love is a small word that packs a powerful punch and that was the essence of our chemistry this year. I will sincerely miss you all and the strides we made as a group to make the 2016 one that will never be forgotten. I hope this group of girls can go down in history as the team that started the tradition of greatness.

To my coaches who so completely invested themselves into the team: I am forever grateful for all you have done for us. Without a visionary coaching staff, we would have never been able to accomplish such a season like this. Your commitment to taking this program to places it has never been before has finally paid off. You deserve everything and more than what we achieved this season. I thank you for helping me mold and mature my leadership and, more importantly, putting up with my incessant question of, “Can we do an extra session?” With your help, I was able to become the best possible player I can be. As a staff, you have inspired me to give back to the game as a collegiate coach once my playing days are over.

To my loving family: I couldn’t have done this without you. I don’t think I’ll ever understand the sacrifices my parents made for me until I have children of my own. The distance between Michigan and Miami didn’t stand in your way of supporting the team and me. Whether we played at home or on the road I knew you all were watching and cheering us on from the stands or from home. Your love and support is a blessing that I am inspired to take to my future family. 

Now that the season is over, everyone poses the daunting question that hovers in the mid of every retired college athlete, “What’s next?” I am blessed to tell you that my playing days are not over. I have had the dream of playing professional soccer since I was a young girl and now I am working tirelessly to make it happen. That goal is in the palm of my hand with my coaches and others in my corner, helping me through the process. Because of their support, I will be able to achieve my goal. Words cannot describe how much I appreciate their selfless help.

So, Canes fans, this is farewell. Be sure to follow the 2017 team because the best is yet to come.