Reliving a Special Night at Ellis Field
Sep 24, 2015 | Soccer
September 20, 2015 was another big night at Ellis Field. Yes, the Aggies picked up a thrilling win and moved to 9-1 on the year. We'll get to the on-field win in a bit, but there was another huge win on the night. It was another dominant performance by the Aggies in their continued support in the fight against pediatric cancer.
This year, the Aggies teamed with the Go Gold Fund to continue that fight. If you visit the Aggie Soccer Go Gold Fund page, you get a glimpse of how involved Aggie Soccer has been, and continues to be, in the fight against pediatric cancer. Their passion for the cause and continued support has definitely been noticed.
"The Go Gold Fund is all about raising awareness for Childhood Cancer through Athletics," remarked Go Gold Fund's Michelle Payne. "It's Athletic Activism, and we were so amazed by Coach G and the Texas A&M soccer team's passion for this cause."
Texas A&M has piled up the conference championships, and they made their first-ever trip to the College Cup in 2014. With all that success on the field, though, the team shows the same excitement about the work they've done in the community. The Aggies have taken part in countless events for causes and charities, and it doesn't take long to see the pride Aggie Soccer takes in helping others.
"We've put our weight and our emphasis with groups that we believe in," said head coach G Guerrieri. "The Go Gold Movement is a great cause. If we can do anything to help with the battle against this terrible killer of kids, obviously we want to do that."
"It's so awesome to have the program that we do and the people that are involved in it," added Karlie Mueller. "Aggie Soccer has really been touched by pediatric cancer in the past three or four years. It's awesome to carry on that passion and not have it be a one-time thing. We support every child and every family that has to go through that. We just have a greater perspective and greater connection with this cause because of these little kids who have touched our hearts. It's something we will continue to support. We want to continue to fight and bring more awareness to this cause."
Mueller is correct. The soccer program has been incredibly proactive in this fight, and unfortunately, this dreaded disease does hit very close to home for everyone involved with the team. As much as anyone, Mueller knows the pain this disease causes to so many people. Many know the story, but Karlie's friendship with Quinn Pesicka again deserves special mention, especially after the Go Gold Game.
Back in June, Quinn passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was just nine years old.
The love and support for Quinn spread to the Aggie Soccer community, and we got a glimpse of that love and support last year.
In September of 2014, the Aggies welcomed Quinn and her family to College Station. Texas A&M put on a show for them, as the Aggies picked up a 3-0 win over the Tennessee Volunteers. If you haven't watched the video recap of Quinn's visit to College Station, you are missing out. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved, and it will give you an idea of just how important Quinn was--and is--to so many people in Aggieland. Mueller's relationship with Quinn and the Pesicka family made the North Texas result that much sweeter. The Aggies, who trailed 1-0 late in the second half of a very intense and physical matchup, rallied for a 2-1 win. Mueller assisted on the first goal, and she scored the game-winner with just over a minute remaining in the second overtime period. It was the first goal of her Aggie career. Sometimes sports provide the most appropriate finishes, and Sunday night was a perfect example.
"It seemed like someone scripted that from above, especially with Karlie's relationship with Quinn and the Pesicka family," noted Guerrieri. "We started the match with a moment of silence for Quinn, and then the whole focus was on all these kids and their families who are going through this struggle. For Karlie to be in on the equalizer and then to score the winner was a really special finish."
Sunday also marked the 3-month anniversary of Quinn's passing. Needless to say, it was quite an emotional day and night for the Aggies and Mueller in particular.
"It really started the week before," admitted Mueller. "At that time last year, we had the "Go Fight Quinn" game. Fast forward a year. Things are completely different, so that was emotional enough. Having the game on the 3-month anniversary of Quinn's death was another benchmark. Those dates are always a bitter-sweet reminder. Then you add the Go Gold game, so it was a whirlwind of emotions."
Emotions aside, Mueller pointed out how grateful she is for these wonderful opportunities and experiences.
"It was really cool to recognize these kids and this cause," stated Mueller. "The moment of silence for Quinn was a very special thing. It's so cool for A&M to support Quinn and all these kids a year later. A lot of us knew that we had really special guardian angels watching over us, so it's really special to be able to play in memory of them and to honor all those kids."
As for the goal, Mueller admits with a smile that she was just trying to get the ball in the box. Thanks to a run by freshman Ally Watt which distracted the keeper, Mueller sent fans home happy with her first Aggie goal—a perfect way to end the emotional and special evening at Ellis Field.
"It was a pretty special moment for me," Mueller said. "That was my first A&M goal on a really special day. I give all the credit to Quinn and all those kids that were looking down over us. I can picture Quinn's little smile and how proud she was of all of us. It was just a really special moment and day for us."
Mueller's contributions go way beyond the box score. She is a fierce competitor and is a senior leader on a very young and talented A&M squad on the field. Off the field, she continues to lead, as well. She brought Quinn and Aggie Soccer together. After all the sadness of the past few months, her golden goal on Go Gold Night was a fitting tribute to Quinn.
"It's on my mind, but I use it as motivation," noted Mueller. "Although Quinn is not here like I want her to be, she is still with me. Last year, it was all about 'Play for Quinn'. That carries over to this year in a much more special way. It shows how special Quinn was, and her legacy lives on. Quinn represents the six core values of A&M better than anyone I know. She is an Aggie, and she will forever be an Aggie. That's something we all get to hold on to. Like Quinn always said, we're in this together forever."
This year, the Aggies teamed with the Go Gold Fund to continue that fight. If you visit the Aggie Soccer Go Gold Fund page, you get a glimpse of how involved Aggie Soccer has been, and continues to be, in the fight against pediatric cancer. Their passion for the cause and continued support has definitely been noticed.
"The Go Gold Fund is all about raising awareness for Childhood Cancer through Athletics," remarked Go Gold Fund's Michelle Payne. "It's Athletic Activism, and we were so amazed by Coach G and the Texas A&M soccer team's passion for this cause."
Texas A&M has piled up the conference championships, and they made their first-ever trip to the College Cup in 2014. With all that success on the field, though, the team shows the same excitement about the work they've done in the community. The Aggies have taken part in countless events for causes and charities, and it doesn't take long to see the pride Aggie Soccer takes in helping others.
"We've put our weight and our emphasis with groups that we believe in," said head coach G Guerrieri. "The Go Gold Movement is a great cause. If we can do anything to help with the battle against this terrible killer of kids, obviously we want to do that."
"It's so awesome to have the program that we do and the people that are involved in it," added Karlie Mueller. "Aggie Soccer has really been touched by pediatric cancer in the past three or four years. It's awesome to carry on that passion and not have it be a one-time thing. We support every child and every family that has to go through that. We just have a greater perspective and greater connection with this cause because of these little kids who have touched our hearts. It's something we will continue to support. We want to continue to fight and bring more awareness to this cause."
Mueller is correct. The soccer program has been incredibly proactive in this fight, and unfortunately, this dreaded disease does hit very close to home for everyone involved with the team. As much as anyone, Mueller knows the pain this disease causes to so many people. Many know the story, but Karlie's friendship with Quinn Pesicka again deserves special mention, especially after the Go Gold Game.
Back in June, Quinn passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was just nine years old.
The love and support for Quinn spread to the Aggie Soccer community, and we got a glimpse of that love and support last year.
In September of 2014, the Aggies welcomed Quinn and her family to College Station. Texas A&M put on a show for them, as the Aggies picked up a 3-0 win over the Tennessee Volunteers. If you haven't watched the video recap of Quinn's visit to College Station, you are missing out. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved, and it will give you an idea of just how important Quinn was--and is--to so many people in Aggieland. Mueller's relationship with Quinn and the Pesicka family made the North Texas result that much sweeter. The Aggies, who trailed 1-0 late in the second half of a very intense and physical matchup, rallied for a 2-1 win. Mueller assisted on the first goal, and she scored the game-winner with just over a minute remaining in the second overtime period. It was the first goal of her Aggie career. Sometimes sports provide the most appropriate finishes, and Sunday night was a perfect example.
"It seemed like someone scripted that from above, especially with Karlie's relationship with Quinn and the Pesicka family," noted Guerrieri. "We started the match with a moment of silence for Quinn, and then the whole focus was on all these kids and their families who are going through this struggle. For Karlie to be in on the equalizer and then to score the winner was a really special finish."
Sunday also marked the 3-month anniversary of Quinn's passing. Needless to say, it was quite an emotional day and night for the Aggies and Mueller in particular.
"It really started the week before," admitted Mueller. "At that time last year, we had the "Go Fight Quinn" game. Fast forward a year. Things are completely different, so that was emotional enough. Having the game on the 3-month anniversary of Quinn's death was another benchmark. Those dates are always a bitter-sweet reminder. Then you add the Go Gold game, so it was a whirlwind of emotions."
Emotions aside, Mueller pointed out how grateful she is for these wonderful opportunities and experiences.
"It was really cool to recognize these kids and this cause," stated Mueller. "The moment of silence for Quinn was a very special thing. It's so cool for A&M to support Quinn and all these kids a year later. A lot of us knew that we had really special guardian angels watching over us, so it's really special to be able to play in memory of them and to honor all those kids."
As for the goal, Mueller admits with a smile that she was just trying to get the ball in the box. Thanks to a run by freshman Ally Watt which distracted the keeper, Mueller sent fans home happy with her first Aggie goal—a perfect way to end the emotional and special evening at Ellis Field.
"It was a pretty special moment for me," Mueller said. "That was my first A&M goal on a really special day. I give all the credit to Quinn and all those kids that were looking down over us. I can picture Quinn's little smile and how proud she was of all of us. It was just a really special moment and day for us."
Mueller's contributions go way beyond the box score. She is a fierce competitor and is a senior leader on a very young and talented A&M squad on the field. Off the field, she continues to lead, as well. She brought Quinn and Aggie Soccer together. After all the sadness of the past few months, her golden goal on Go Gold Night was a fitting tribute to Quinn.
"It's on my mind, but I use it as motivation," noted Mueller. "Although Quinn is not here like I want her to be, she is still with me. Last year, it was all about 'Play for Quinn'. That carries over to this year in a much more special way. It shows how special Quinn was, and her legacy lives on. Quinn represents the six core values of A&M better than anyone I know. She is an Aggie, and she will forever be an Aggie. That's something we all get to hold on to. Like Quinn always said, we're in this together forever."
Players Mentioned
D
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