Anyone who has had an English class with Anna would say she’s an excellent writer. When describing her to others, though, most people would immediately think about her agility on the soccer field. Whether she’s rushing to class after an early morning practice or heading to bed after a long day of training, it’s clear that soccer is undoubtedly tied to her existence.
In case you haven’t noticed by now, our women’s soccer team has had an amazing season this year. Anna is the team’s goalie, and she’s very enthusiastic about their success this season. She thinks that the team has improved not only because of its experienced players, as there are 9 out of 11 returning starters, but also because of the team’s dynamics: “I think the real difference has been our team unity. We have always been a close team, but I think this year more than ever before, we really care a lot for each other and a lot for the team’s collective success.”
Anna’s complicated relationship with soccer
“Soccer is the most consistent and committed relationship I’ve ever had,” Anna says. She has been playing soccer since she was about three years old, and has spent a minimum of ten hours per week training since age eleven, in addition to playing in games and tournaments on weekends. This, of course, means making sacrifices such as declining to spend time with friends or missing out on events like parties and high school dances. While this has been difficult for Anna, she is adamant that there’s nothing like the rush she gets out on the field when she makes an excellent save.
But soccer has given Anna more than a rush over the years – it has also given her a strong network of friends that she will keep for the rest of her life. She is grateful for these lasting friendships as well as the opportunities she has had to meet and play with some spectacular women. This makes the hundreds of times she’s had to say, “I can’t – I have soccer,” worth it.
Balancing lifelong passions
It is typical for CMU students to have a passion for their work, and it’s even more typical to be passionate about other activities as well. Anna is no exception. She loves writing, especially poetry, but rather than thinking of poetry and soccer as conflicting interests, she sees them as being subject to a balancing act. Luckily, this is a balancing act Anna enjoys, even though it often seems like there are just not enough hours in the day.
Don’t be fooled, though – while soccer is her “job,” writing is her career. She is currently applying for the MAPW +1 program, a one-year addition to her B.A. to receive a Master’s degree in Professional Writing. She is hoping to be admitted into the program a year early, as she is in her third year at CMU, but a senior on paper. Her eventual goal is to work for a non-profit organization and publish poetry on the side.
While Anna will no longer be playing competitive soccer when she graduates, she plans on finding a pick-up adult league to play with. She jokes that she may even end up coaching for the youth team her children will inevitably join. Even past her years as a competitive soccer player, Anna will always have room in her life for the sport.
Support the women’s soccer team!
Anna and the team will be playing Emory University, the number one ranked team in the nation, at Carnegie Mellon on Saturday, November 3. This is always the last game of the regular season, so come out and support our fellow CMU ladies! Anna says, “A big home crowd would be GREATLY appreciated!”
For more information about the team, game results, and events schedule, look here: http://athletics.cmu.edu/sports/wsoc/index