September 7, 2004 - Megan Fox

Lauren Lankford said she'd happily spend her entire 22nd birthday in Virginia Beach as long as we had fun and played well. Even though her approval had no impact on our travel arrangements, we all shared the same sentiments going into the weekend.

The better half of our first night was spent at Max & Erma's in the Norfolk Mall. Max & Erma's is a quaint restaurant characterized mostly by its huge sundae bar, which resides in a bathtub. Here, Lauren was adorned with a birthday balloon hat and matching scepter.

After dinner we had our motivational team meeting. Then, volunteers went on a team grocery run. The even better half of the night was spent diligently watching The Weather Channel with the Floridians.

It was an early rise the next morning to a "scrumtrullescent" breakfast of bars, bagels, bananas, and blueberries. We headed over to Virginia Wesleyan to get ready for our game against Mary Washington.

By game time we were all fed, taped, hydrated, and ready for our first Division III opponent this season. We controlled most of the first half, although we were left scoreless at halftime.

We came out strong during the second half and scored early on a high ball to the back post by Carrie Eckenhoff. Lindsay Murphy was there to finish it for her first career goal at Emory.

Carrie's victory dance has been coined the "Roger Hammer"--because it is a delightful combination of M.C. Hammer's "Hammertime" and the Roger Rabbit (circa second grade).

All shenanigans aside, we held our lead with superb defending and phenomenal saves by our goalie. As we were all in a celebratory mood, we headed to Joe's Crab Shack.

The next morning we rose early and checked out of the hotel. We headed back to Virginia Wesleyan to prepare for our game against the home team.

Katie O'Brien scored early in the first half on a corner kick by Jessie Dean. At half time we were up 1-0; however, Virginia Wesleyan got lucky and put away their first goal.

Sabo got a hug from the referee and then two more goals were scored by Virginia Wesleyan. Nevertheless, we scored again in the last minute to put Emory only down by one.

Despite attempts to play hyper-offensively, the game ended 3-2. Dean, O'Neal, and O'Brien were named to the all-tournament team for the weekend and received heather grey t-shirts for their efforts.

The rest of the night was spent waiting at the Newport News Airport. During this downtime, many futures were decided and we'd like to congratulate Beth Wilson on her "dry drawls." Sabo raced the tram at the airport at 12 am.

I'm Megan Fox. You stay classy, Women's Soccer Team.

September 13, 2004 - Carrie Eckenhoff

Accompanied by the men's soccer team, we embarked on a weekend adventure to the picturesque town of Cary, North Carolina, also home to Beth Wilson, Laurel O'Neal, and Kristine Falk. The trio of families combined forces with a handful of other devoted parents, who had made the trek out to NC, to supply us with all the motherly and fatherly cooking and cheering we could ask for in a weekend.

Friday night we arrived at the Comfort Inn by bus and were promptly greeting by an ice cream sundae smorgasbord, a la Ms. Taylor (Laurel's mom). It was also the lucky day of some other guests and their children, who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

After a good night's rest, the following morning we enjoyed a team breakfast at the Wilson Residence (well worth the "scenic" bus ride) as we prepared, again with the men's team, for our evening game against Wheaton College (Ill.) in SAS Park Stadium.

The Wheaton game was truly a test of heart and endurance, as we entered the second half with a weakened morale due to a loss of several injured players. While the 3-0 loss was a result we were unhappy with, it is a testament to the character of the team that despite a concern for injured players and exhaustion of playing down, everyone played hard and intense until the end.

We gained confidence that night in preparation for Sunday's game as we met in the hotel to regroup and reenergize each other. The following morning after a lovely complimentary breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and took off for our 1:30 p.m. game against the College of New Jersey.

After a slow start-up due to sock changing and brace taping and important tasks that should always take place exactly one minute before kickoff, we entered into yet another trying battle. The several-time NCAA champs proved to be a tough match, and while again we are disappointed with the result, the game was an uplifting improvement from the previous night. Our focus from here on out will be constant improvement so that we are ultimately unbeatable in the UAA, starting with our first game October 2nd at home vs. U of Chicago.

The bus ride home, though long, provided entertainment and comic relief in the form of Schnozberries and Farva, people watching at the Golden Corral buffet, and the chanting of some special boys on the men's team that never got old.

Alas we are back in Atlanta, mentally, emotionally, and physically beat. However, we take away from this weekend a bond deepened by the struggles we at times endured, and by the enthusiasm for the rest of the season that has hardly begun.

September 22, 2004 - Megan Fox

Last week was a long week of indoor practice thanks to our dear friend, Hurricane Ivan. However, after all the wind and rain subsided, we were left with a beautiful Saturday for our game against Rhodes College.

The entire team was really psyched to play a home game on such a wonderful day. Also, during the past week more people have been coming back from injuries, so the team was feeling strong going into the weekend. Our objectives were to beat Rhodes, get a shutout, and, as always, have fun.

For motivation, Lauren Lankford and I presented the team with inspirational pictures of all the seniors via the new soccer game program. We explained to them that they could some day be famous with hard work and determination.

We started the game off on the right foot by scoring early. Kristine Falk put away her first career goal at Emory within the first five minutes. By continuing the high pressure in the first half, we caused Rhodes to score an own goal before halftime.

During halftime, we restated our game objectives and discussed the importance of continuing our pace for the remainder of the game. The speech seemed to work because in the second half we came out just as hard and Kinda Secret and Carrie Eckenhoff secured our win by scoring the third and fourth goals.

The game against Rhodes demonstrated how well our team is coming together. It's taken a little more time than usual due to injuries, but we thank everyone who has supported us and we promise more wins like this one throughout the rest of the season.

September 27, 2004 - Carrie Eckenhoff

Reveling in the sunny aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, we prepared for the fast-approaching start of the UAA season with three practices and two games last week.

Tuesday we played Piedmont (Ga.), a traditional opponent in the first part of the season. We played an offensive game, creating lots of chances for ourselves and capitalizing on about a fifth of those chances. Piedmont was also able to capitalize on a high percentage of their chances, so we went into practices this week with the mindset to shut out future teams.

While we were unable to shutout UW-Whitewater last Friday, we beating them in what resulted in a close 3-2 game. The goals were scored intermittently by both teams, which in my opinion reflects an impressive game. We also had worked in practice to develop cohesion in our attacks and it was apparent in the game. We are also fortunate to have some players that were recently out due to injuries back and playing.

In place of the usual travel anecdotes, I would like to recognize a few outstanding performances we witnessed in practice this week. Beth Wilson and Laurel O'Neal were clearly the stars in a game of buddy-tag, although Beth, I think you stepped on me once. Bedford showed up at practice on time after a very shady stunt in which she led us to believe she was involved in some trouble with the law (no, not really). I would also like to thank Jenna for the massage train.

We have all enjoyed playing on our home field for the past two games and have been able to take advantage of the extra time to relax, enjoy the weather, and catch up on schoolwork and everything else. We eagerly await our chance to play U of Chicago on our home field this Saturday at 1 p.m.

October 27, 2004 - Carrie Eckenhoff

After a week-long break from our rigorous schedule of UAA competition, we are again preparing for travel and difficult games in the upcoming weekends.

Last Wednesday we played our last regular season home game, against Wesleyan (Ga.), shutting them out 7-0. It was a fun game to play; players that don't usually get to score netted their first goals of the season.

As a senior in probably what are the final weeks of my soccer career, the game was a sentimental one for me and the other three seniors, Megan, Lauren, and Lindsay. Lindsay Murphy's parents, who were unable to make it to the Senior Night game last Sunday, flew in from Oregon to cheer us on (and visit with Lindsay of course).

While we are hopeful (and expecting) to be back on home turf in NCAA post-season play, it is sad to have played our final regular season game on a field that we have spent the last four years playing on.

Last weekend was a trying and slightly frustrating one as we ventured all the way to Sewanee, Tennessee, to battle it out with the University of the South. Unfortunately the results fell in their favor for the first time in Emory-Sewanee competition history, and we were sent home in low spirits. They were a stronger team this year, and we just weren't able to make it happen in a 1-0 loss.

Some giant roast beef sandwiches and Jamoca shakes from Arby's lifted our spirits on the long ride home to finish up the weekend. We had Sunday off to catch up on work and refocus our minds and energy towards the games that will determine our UAA standings this weekend in New York and Boston. Through all that we have been through this season, we are determined to win and assuredly have what it takes.

November 4, 2004 - Megan Fox

The teams met early on Thursday morning to begin what would prove to be an exciting and rewarding UAA weekend. We began the day with pumpkin cookies which were the first of many delicious Halloween treats.

The first stop in Boston was for, surprise, surprise, food. Sabo enlightened us over the bus intercom about various Bostonian landmarks while the men's team chanted from the back of the bus. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, it was time to eat again. Bundled up in Emory fleeces and sweatshirts the team headed out to find our next meal. We stuffed ourselves with Bertucci's scrumptious Italian cuisine.

Dooley (Mrs. Sanders) and many other parents were present on Friday morning for our game against Brandeis. The game was intense and both teams had multiple opportunities to score. We led early but Brandeis scored two goals and took the lead in the second half.

With only three players in the back, we scored the equalizer late in the second half, which sent us into overtime. After the first scoreless extra period, we picked up the intensity, and our effort was rewarded. Katie O'Brien took a shot from 35 yards out to win the game.

After the game we were given goodie bags and sweets for the ride to New Jersey. All the sugar made us thirsty so the bus stopped at Kmart. We walked away with water, a belly button ring, pretzels, Gatorade and a few fifty cent arm bands.

Saturday we went into New York City, where Sabo continued using the intercom to explain east and west and all the landmarks he knew. We were released on Fifth Avenue by St. Patrick's Cathedral for shopping and sight seeing. H&M, Trump Tower and Wonderful World of Disney filled our hour and a half nicely. We headed to lower Manhattan to see Ground Zero and other sights but the fog obstructed our view. Tired and sick of being in the bus we headed back.

Many players were with their families, so only eight of us ate dinner in the small New Jersey Italian restaurant. We were slightly underdressed but the atmosphere was welcoming and warm. The ostrich was delicious and Ali English made friends with a woman who owned skirts older than we are. When we returned to the hotel, we were informed that Megan Fox was still sick and would not be playing the next day. Despite the bad news, we were still optimistic and ready to face NYU.

As warned, the field we played on was, at best, horrible. "Fuzzy blacktop" was the phrase we decided best captured the conditions. The wind was so strong that the ball blew back at us and there was so little turf on some parts of the field that people were unable to cut without slipping. Everyone played with heart and sacrificed their bodies. Gail Bush broke her arm, Julia received a concussion and many others played through minor injuries.

Going into the weekend we knew that in order to have any chance of winning the UAA we needed to go back to Atlanta with two victories. It was looking like a victory would not come until overtime on Sunday. However with less than a minute left, we were rewarded a free kick, which Jamie English was able to convert into a corner kick. While Lindsay Murphy called out the remaining time in five-second intervals, our entire team pushed forward. Amy Bedford hit a perfect corner to Lauren Hudak for the game winning goal, with only 4.3 seconds remaining on the clock.

As we celebrated, players from the bench could not control themselves and ran onto the field to participate. It was a perfect ending to a long weekend. We came home tired, concerned for our injured teammates but most importantly proud of ourselves and victorious.

November 8, 2004 - Carrie Eckenhoff

The return from the Boston- New York weekend sent us back to the library to catch up on studying, and for some of us, back to the training room. With more teammates to add to the sick/injured list, and heaps of work to catch up on, we fell back into our hectic weekly schedule.

Practices resumed where we played soccer and non-soccer related competitions to fire up the natural competitiveness that we all possess and would need to break open in the upcoming Carnegie game. Something must have worked because we returned from Pittsburg late Sunday night as the UAA champion, having defeated Carnegie Mellon 1-0 in the conference clincher.

We knew coming into this weekend that our NCAA fate lay first in the hands of chance and if we were lucky, second in our own power. Saturday we anxiously awaited the news we had no control over: the results of the Chicago-Wash U game. Reports of a 3-0 Wash U victory left us both astounded and excited as we prepared for what we could control: beating Carnegie.

Concerns about playing on the ever-dreaded turf and absence of some of our key players mixed in with our excitement and motivation to win this game. We were unsuccessful in the first half and entered into the second half a 0-0 tie. We knew that a tie would not cut it and realized that if we were going to win the championship, we had to play like it.

The intensity rose and within five minutes, Nancy Wilson blasted a shot from 50 yards to score a goal in the upper 90 that would become the game-winning goal. The following 40 minutes were some of the most stressful and scary moments of the season, as Carnegie did not let up and put us under some heavy pressure.

Again our defense (and revered goalie Adrienne) came through and as the buzzer sounded at the end of the game, a sense of utter relief, exhaustion, and exhilaration washed over us all as we piled on top of each other and celebrated.

It is amazing to me that we hold the undisputed UAA title. The adversity that we have been put under this season makes that fact all the more satisfying and I can think of no better way to culminate such a season.

We now enter the postseason, with our first NCAA tournament game in Maryville, Tenn., on Wednesday. We are energized, confident and ready to kick some butt.

November 17, 2004 - Megan Fox

You have brains in your head,
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
--Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Early in the 2004 season, we were 1-4 and had lost our starting keeper. It was at this point that the team decided that the only way things could get better was if we actually made them better.

We knew with our record the only way we could get into the NCAA tournament was by winning the UAA and its automatic berth. We threw every bit of heart, energy, and talent we could muster towards that end. Despite all the difficulties and all the doubts, the team never lost sight of that goal.

The road to the tournament was long and full of obstacles that may be optimally characterized as 35-foot tall brick walls. But, at the end of it all was Maryville, Tennessee, site of the NCAA tournament opener.

On the bus, we watched Jenna and Carrie's recruit videos that they sent to Sabo during their senior years of high school. During these cinematic masterpieces it was decided that Eckenhoff has a future as the co-star of Soccer Dog VII.

The men's team had warned us about the field conditions and the fans, but no one was prepared for the brouhaha that would ensue. Fortunately, we were able to capitalize on an early opportunity and Jenna put one away.

I mostly remember angry and unintelligent banter until we scored the second goal early in the second half. The rest of the game was characterized by fearless defense and of course human "SHOTBLOCKERS!"

On Friday morning we headed to Lynchburg, Virginia, to check out the field for our second round game. It was cold and rainy, and I concluded that Lynchburg was a dark and dreary place.

In an attempt to lift our spirits and store our anger, we headed to Outback where we proceeded to miss Australia...and Travis. The next morning we headed back to Lynchburg College for a quick sauna in the locker room.

When the game finally started we were fired up and ready to go. We came out strong and spent the majority of the first half adjusting to the field conditions. I fell down a lot. I also think I speak for the entire team when I say I was impressed with the cheers of the Lynchburg fans.

Cleverly enough, they made fun of the name Emory, proclaiming that our school was named after emery boards. What a riot.

The second half was full of close chances, but as Lankford put it "the soccer gods were not on our side." With about two minutes left in the first overtime, the other team scored a meager goal that ended my soccer career.

And with the loss to Lynchburg, Carrie Eckenhoff, Lindsay Murphy, Lauren Lankford, and myself, ceremonially burned our cleats and our jerseys. Hopefully, Meg from the equipment room is not reading this diary.

On behalf of the seniors, I would like to thank each person that has been a part of the Emory women's soccer team (esp. Lauren Carter). Some of my fondest memories were on 10-hour road trips, during UAA games, and, of course, with the beginning-of-the-season fitness evaluations. I can honestly say I have never been so proud to call myself a member of this team.

This year is only a foundation for the success you will achieve next year. With the return of Jessie Dean, Amy Franciscovich, Karen West, and Gail Bush, I believe Emory can soundly repeat as UAA champion.