Women's History Month: Honoring Soccer
Mar 21, 2017 | Soccer
a look back at the 2014 College Cup team and its meaning to the program's greats who came before
 Texas A&M Athletics honors its tremendous success in women's athletics throughout the month of March. |
A CELEBRATION 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING
(originally posted December 3, 2014)
Saturday's Elite Eight win over Penn State took just 90 minutes on the field, but was over 20 years in the making. And joining in the celebration were all the former players who helped build Texas A&M soccer to what it is today.
After being up until 3 a.m. last Saturday returning phone calls, text messages, tweets and more, you'll forgive Texas A&M soccer coach G Guerrieri when he chokes up, fights back tears, and has to catch himself several times when asked about the outpouring of congratulations following the win over Penn State.
It was a moment over 20 years in the making.
Far and away the best and most successful soccer program in the state of Texas—and one of the country's best—Saturday's 2-1 defeat of the Nittany Lions at a sold-out Ellis Field vaulted the Aggies into the Women's College Cup for the first time ever.
And as much celebrating that was taking place on the pitch with these players and coaches, there was that much…and more…from the long list of players who helped pave the path of success over the past two decades.
They are wives. Mothers. Doctors. Nurses. Therapists. Coaches. The list goes on and on. The years have passed—in some cases almost 20. In others, just one or two.
But what hasn't been eroded by the sands of time is their love for Texas A&M, for each other, and for the Aggie soccer program.
"It's a deal where...um...I know what it meant to me," Guerrieri says as he fights through tears. "But to see so many people respond that way…it meant…they had the same emotion that I had.
"It's more than a game. It's a great life experience for these kids (on the 2014 team), but it's really cool to see that it's still a life experience for the players who were having their 40th birthday…or those who have gotten married and have their own families now. That they still look at being a part of Aggie soccer as being one of the great moments of their life and they can still live through what this team is doing…that is awesome."
This program is his baby, you see—he's the only skipper it has ever known since first taking the field in Plano on September 6, 1993.
Over the years the program has known nothing but winning. An upstart as the sport began to grow across the country, the Aggies went 30-5-3 in the first two years before making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 1995.
They have not missed since.
Countless conference championships. Thirteen trips to the Sweet Sixteen or beyond. But never a berth in the College Cup.
A lot of great players have taken the pitch for the maroon and white and experienced tremendous success. They are fiercely loyal, both to each other and to the program. But none had experienced what this 2014 team did following the final whistle.
You wouldn't know that judging by their reaction across the country via twitter, facebook, Instagram, text message and all other forms of communication. Those players celebrated as if they were on the field themselves.
That speaks volumes to what this program means to all those who have been a part of it.
"Right after the whistle blew to put us into the Final Four my reaction was a big exhale," Guerrieri recalls. "I felt like i was holding my breath for the last 10 minutes of that match…but really for the last 10 years we've been holding our breath, hoping that we could get over that hurdle.
"There have been so many great teams and so many great players that have brought us this far. That hump was huge. I know for the rest of the players who got us to that point so many times I could see from their reactions how special that was."
What made the win so special was that it meant as much to the 20 years of teams before as it did to the team which has propelled the Aggies to the cusp of a national championship.
Senior Allie Bailey—the hero of the Penn State win with both goals coming off her feet—was born 18 days after Guerrieri and that first group of women took the field in Plano on a September afternoon in 1993. A group that had its first workouts on Simpson Drill Field, and played its home games at A&M Consolidated Middle School—located off what was then known as Jersey Street (now George Bush Drive) and just south of the TAMU Golf Course.
She and her teammates, who now play in arguably the best venue in all of collegiate soccer, know this accomplishment—and this weekend's experience in Boca Raton—is not just for them but for all those who came before.
"We are here because of them. Each and every player and team through the years helped carve the path that has put us in this position. I know each of them would do anything to be in this spot, and that's even more motivation for us—to do it for them as well. We want to give this program what it deserves—a national championship."
Don't take our word for it though. Let some of those who have come before this special 2014 team tell you their feelings…in their own words.
Bryn (Blalack) Rupe (#6 - 1994-97)
One of the greatest to ever don the Texas A&M uniform, she was also one of the first. Her inaugural home match was in year two of the program and the first to ever be played on what is now the site of Ellis Field – a 4-1 win over Mercer on September 13, 1994.
Bryn was a two-time All-American and led the program to not only its first NCAA berth in 1995 but its first conference title – the 1997 Big 12 Championship. She was a two-time National Player of the Year Finalist and a two-time Big 12 Player of the Year honoree and is a member of the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame.
She, her husband Ryan (former Texas A&M, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox pitcher), daughter Reese and son Ty were glued to their Apple TV and watching as a family. Suffice to say there was a lot of yelling, screaming, cheering and celebrating going on in the living room.
And you can bet that the Rupes will not miss what is still to come. Flights have been booked, and hotels have been lined up—they will be there when the Aggies take the field Friday against Virginia.
"(Reaching the College Cup) really means a lot to all of us that helped kick start this program. I got to A&M in its second year. Everyone thought I was crazy for coming to Aggieland when the program was just beginning. For me it came down to the decision between going to the soccer dynasty, (North Carolina), like I was 'supposed' to do, or help start a dynasty. After my recruiting trip, I knew A&M is where I wanted to be. I didn't care that everyone thought I had lost my mind. G knew he could build a program and I believed in him and in the potential of the program.
"Even back then we had the goal of getting to the College Cup. Although we were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country my senior year, the College Cup goal was obviously not achieved. It didn't happen for another 17 years! But IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!! These girls did it!!! They conquered this goal that all of our teams before them had been unable to achieve. I am just so proud of the G, Phil and the girls, making history! Watching this team early in the season, you could tell they were a special group."
"As a former player, when I watch the girls play, all of the emotion and excitement that I experienced playing on that field comes back. I can recall most of my time on that field like it was yesterday. I can remember the crowd, my teammates, scoring goals and our celebrations. I don't think I will ever forget what all of that felt like. At least I hope I never do! Being out on that field is something special."
Rachel (Shipley) Raley (#7 – 2007-10)
An All-Big 12 and Academic All-American, Rachel dominated the midfield for the Aggies as they grabbed two conference titles and two Elite Eight appearances during her tenure.
Now married and living in College Station, she owns and runs Hot Shots Soccer—which teaches kids between the ages of 18 months to 6 years how to play the game she loves so much.
Rachel said goodbye to the program just as this group of seniors was stepping on to campus for the first time, but living in town is able to maintain relationships with several on the team. She, along with her family, was among the 3,000-plus at Ellis Field Saturday night and proudly wore her emotions on her sleeve as the clock struck zero.
"I stood up on the bleachers, both hands stretched in the air, beaming with pride and with tears running down my face. I probably held that position for five minutes, soaking up the victory. It felt like a dream. It's one of the proudest moments of my life and I wasn't even on the field playing. I felt very much a part of the team and the win even though my playing days were over. To see something we've all worked so hard for come to fruition is a dream come true, even as a former player….it was a great night.
"I still remember to this day watching Aggie soccer games as an 8-year-old dying to get (players') autographs after the game. The players before me are Aggie legends in my mind and I'll never forget them even though their playing days are over. So for me, representing the program was a dream come true. And for those 4 years my teammates and I dreamt about making history and finally being the team to make the College Cup and win the whole thing. Unfortunately we fell short, but I was confident we gave everything we had to better this program and it just wasn't our time. But now it is. And truly I feel as if we've all made it, finally. We all fought for this very moment and it is so very sweet."
Laura Probst (#8 - 2002-05)
Laura made her mark on Ellis Field as an all-conference midfielder and four-year starter for the Aggies, helping lead the team to the Elite Eight in '02 and the Sweet Sixteen in '03 and '05.
Now a doctor at the University of Utah hospital in Salt Lake City, she was returning from her family's home outside Denver to Utah while listening to the match over the internet on her phone.
As "luck" would have it, Laura lost the audio for the final 90 agonizing seconds of the match. Once she heard the match had gone final?
"It was an overwhelming sense of pride. The players before me, those I battled with and those that have taken the field thereafter have fought every year for this opportunity. To finally make it—it just immediately brought me back. I felt exactly how I imagined I would feel all those years ago when I was out on the pitch. It was a sense of accomplishment and immense pride for the team, the incredible coaches and for all the fans in Aggieland."
"I haven't had the chance to get back to Aggieland in a couple of years but this has connected me back to that magical place and back to the former players in the most powerful way. It's like you don't even have to be there to understand the excitement, the joy, the pride. It makes me feel like I'm right there with them. We love this team and we always have -- and forever will -- stand behind them."
Andrea (Starns) Cottrell (#7 – 1999-02)
Andrea's tenure at Texas A&M was one to remember. Her teams never failed to reach at least the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament and her final two were the first to ever play in the Elite Eight—in 2001 at Portland and 2002 at North Carolina.
Her, husband Aaron and daughter Lou have been locked in to virtually every match this season on the SEC Network and WatchESPN, making it even part of "the weekend family routine". Even after 12 years she still maintains strong ties to the staff who coached her to 72 victories in Aggieland so it's no surprise she made the trek down from the Metroplex to be in the stands Saturday night.
As the match ended she burst into tears, prompting her four-year-old to say, 'Mommy, don't cry. The Aggies won!'
"Since I am married to a coach I know first-hand the sacrifices that a coach's family makes for the team. And to experience the biggest win of G, Phil and Lori's careers next to their families was extremely special and emotional. You could physically feel the collective relief and joy and pride in those two rows at Ellis Field. I was so happy for all of them.
"Oh, and seeing the coaches after the game was just…sigh. I just felt so happy for them. They deserve this. I'm so thankful they have stayed here. If they hadn't, it wouldn't feel like I am a part of the program anymore. As long as they are there, we are all still members of the Aggie Soccer family. And that means more to me than I think I could ever really convey to them. I laughed through tears watching G give Phil a manly sports kiss on the cheek after the game. Those two. After all these years.
"It really meant a whole lot that everyone involved with the program recognized all the past players' role in that historic win. It has been 12 years since I played Aggie Soccer. But to know that our accomplishments and effort are still appreciated by those in the program just simply makes me feel happy. It was so long ago, but yet, it is still some of the most intense emotional memories I have in my life. Being a part of a team is something I miss a lot. I have other things in my life now that are equally wonderful, but there is nothing like being a part of a team. And I think, for a few hours last Saturday night, we all felt like we were back on that team again. The landscape has changed, but it's still the same program. The field looks different, but it still smells the same. The program itself is a reflection of all the love and work and fun everyone that has been through put into it. And for that, I'm really thankful. I truly do love Aggie Soccer so very much."
Beth West (#10 – 2008-12)
One of the former players who knows this group best, Beth was a junior when this senior class joined the program.
A freshman All-American, All-Big 12 and all-region midfielder, she advanced to the Elite Eight in her first season (2008) only to drop a heartbreaker in overtime. Her future teams would follow with a pair of Sweet Sixteen berths and got to experience the historic move to the SEC—where as a senior she claimed the conference's western division title in the first year in the league.
Now a nurse at University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin, Beth was unable to get off work to make the trip in. She was following the match online and says she was as nervous as if she was on the field herself. After countless screen refreshes over the last few minutes, the game registered final. And….
"I think I screamed when (the match ended). I was in disbelief at first. I couldn't believe A&M had finally done it. All the hard work, sweat and tears that decades of players and the coaches had poured into this program had finally paid off. I was just so proud at that moment."
"This program is a big family and I'm blessed to be a part of it. The relationships I've made are relationships that will last a lifetime and the memories we've made as a family are memories I will always hold near and dear to my heart. I'm so proud to be a part of such a successful program that has come so far. To play a role in laying the foundation of a program that has come so far and will continue to be one of the most elite programs in Division I soccer is so humbling and rewarding. We get to share these milestones as one big family."
Madison (Klovstad) Miner (#7 – 2003-06)
Madison is another who experienced a tremendous amount of success during her Aggie career—two Sweet Sixteens, an Elite Eight and five Big 12 titles (three regular season, two conference).
Now a speech language therapist back in her hometown area of Orange County, California, she and her husband, Jason, just celebrated their son Ben's first birthday.
"I am so proud to be an Aggie. It's incredible how being 2,000+ miles away hasn't decreased my pride for the school I love. I watch every game I'm able to online or on ESPN and listen live if video isn't an option. Congratulations to this current women's soccer team for making it as far as you have and praying your journey ends with a national championship in your hands! Enjoy every minute of this incredible experience, because it flies by."
Cameron (Chorn) Allison (#14 – 1998-01)
Cameron concluded her illustrious Aggie career on the first-ever Elite Eight squad in program history (2001). Stationed in Virginia Beach with her husband and children, she's never been able to watch many matches. The advent of the SEC Network has changed that--allowing the family to keep up with the team every step of the way.
"I'm so proud of my fellow Aggie soccer players. Making it to the Final Four is such a huge accomplishment! (Living in Virginia Beach) I have had a hard time getting back to games or even finding television coverage of the games. This year, technology has allowed me to follow the Aggies and watch them every step of the way. Every year you hear about how great the team is but this year I have been able to see it with my own eyes. I love being able to share their success (and reminiscence my glory days) with my husband and two kids from miles and miles away."
Sara (Albrecht) Hayes (#3 – 2004-07)
Sara's first "official" steps in an Aggie uniform were taken on a pitch in Germany as part of the team's August tour of Europe just prior to her freshman season. But she and her classmates would leave much larger footsteps as they finally closed their careers.
Six—yes, six—Big 12 titles. The only class in program history to ever win four straight regular-season conference crowns. Throw in two trips to the Sweet Sixteen, with one advancing all the way to the Elite Eight in 2006 where the Aggies fell one goal shy of advancing to the College Cup.
At a birthday dinner, Sara was unable to make it to Ellis Field but was receiving constant updates from teammates in College Station.
"I cannot even begin to describe the pride I have in the program. Everyone who has ever been a part of it knows we have always had what it takes to make it the next step, but to get to watch it unfold before your eyes is amazing. When you put your heart and soul into a program for four years, it allows you to put a stamp on something, something bigger yourself, and that is the best feeling ever."
"The back of forth of the social media between former players shows what an amazing and special program A&M is. We were invested for four years as player, but for life as people. Till this day I can still call my teammates some of my best friends. There is a not a day that goes by that doesn't have some touch of A&M soccer."
Michelle (Royal) Clementson (#4 – 1998-01)
An all-conference midfielder, Michelle started in the center in the match that pushed A&M into its first-ever Elite Eight—a 1-0 win at Stanford in the 2001 NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
She was a part of two other Sweet Sixteen squads and helped bring home the program's second Big 12 Tourney title as a senior. One of the things Michelle enjoyed most about Saturday's win was how it brought all her teammates back together again via social media.
"It's always fun when something like this gets us all talking again…it's like we are back to those college days and want to experience it together. All the old jokes and memories come out. You remember how fortunate you were to have been given an opportunity to make amazing friends, compete at the highest collegiate soccer level, and attend an amazing University."
Jessica (Martin) Jimmerson (#2 – 1999-02)
A first-team All-Big 12 defender, Jessica was a member of the first (and to this point only) group in school history to claim back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. Her teams never failed to reach at least the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament and totaled 72 wins during her career.
A personal trainer and RN in the Dallas area, she was unable to watch the match but that didn't stop her and her husband from keeping tabs on things. With iPad in one had, phone in the other—and husband hitting refresh on his iPad screen, the couple were hitting facebook and live scoring links every few seconds until the clock hit zero.
"I was so excited! As a former player, you always have that hope of your team continuing to be successful and achieving dreams that you never did. It was such a big moment for everyone ever involved in the program. Each group of girls that has played for A&M has paved the way for those after. This program was built on elite players and it has grown so dramatically in the past 10 years. I will have to say, I do have a lot of pride in saying that my team was the first team to reach the elite 8. In the four years that I was playing there, I felt that we had one of the most talented and tenacious group of girls that has ever been there. We really overcame a lot of obstacles and we had girls that would sacrifice everything for their teammates. The bottom line is I proudly tell everyone I come in contact with, that I was a Texas A&M soccer player. I still wear my practice jerseys and game warm-ups and carry around my shoe bag. Every time I watch a game I feel though it's me out there playing. I'm so proud of these girls and proud to be a part of the Texas A&M women's soccer program!"
Diana (Rowe) Walker (#5 – 1994-97)
Another of the pioneers of the program, local product Diana has gotten a first-hand look at the growth of Aggie soccer. She can claim her place in history as a member of A&M's first NCAA Tournament team (1995), first Sweet Sixteen team (1995) and first conference championship squad (1997).
Diana lives in her hometown of Bryan with her husband Larry, a former standout Aggie football player. She is a veterinarian who runs the Bryan Animal Clinic.
"It is exciting to finally see the program make it to the Women's College Cup! (I)t is a great accomplishment to finally see the hard work of Coach G and Phil Stephenson pay off. I am so proud of the team, the coaches and everyone else who has helped out behind the scenes. They have worked hard for so many years. It's heartwarming to know that I was a part of the extended soccer family."
Kati Jo Spisak (#6 – 2002-05)
A three-time All-American and one of the best netminders in program history, Kati Jo led the Aggies to the Elite Eight as a freshman. Her performance in that year's Sweet Sixteen win at No. 3 UCLA—10 saves and two stops in a penalty shootout—is one of the best the team has ever seen.
Now an assistant coach with the Washington Spirit of the NWSL, she says she's usually glued to twitter (@AggieSoccer and @MaroonMilitia) to keep up with games—but this was one she had to see for herself.
"I was able to catch this game on the live stream! I needed to watch it with my own eyes. I needed to see the field my teammates and I dedicated our lives to. I needed to feel the energy of the 12th Man. I needed to witness history that was about to be made. I had knots in my stomach the whole game. I felt as if I was playing; playing with the spirit of my former teammates yet with the different names and faces of my new teammates. As the final seconds ticked down so many emotions consumed me. Excitement. Pride. Love. And I would be lying if I didn't say a bit of jealousy. I started tearing up.
For so many years, I pictured this program making it to the Final Four. For four of those years, I envisioned myself playing in the Final Four. After letting jealousy run through me for a fraction of a second, I felt like I was there. That I FINALLY made it to the Final Four!!!! As so many of my former teammates and fellow Aggies (who I didn't get to play with) starting messaging each other, the team was united. From the 1993 squad through the current team (who physically won the game)...we were united. WE FINALLY DID IT!!!! I hope the current players know they have 20 years of legacy standing with them and supporting them.
"My family are all red ass A&M fans. As they watched the game, the same emotion came over them. They spent so much time in a car following the team. They built lifelong friendships with truly amazing families. It was great to see the parents messaging each other with the same words of excitement and pride as we were."
Becky (Olson) Gordon (#19 – 2002-05)
Becky's legacy left on the program is one of hard work, toughness and tenacity. Her teams totaled 69 wins, helping lead the team to the Elite Eight in '02 and the Sweet Sixteen in '03 and '05, and she was a part of five Big 12 championships.
Now a mom to three kids, her and her husband watched from home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Becky says she was yelling and screaming at the screen as if she was on the sidelines 10 years ago.
"I was SO proud! I had tears of joy as the last 10 seconds counted down in the game. It felt so good to see this team FINALLY achieve this next level. I have always been proud of A&M soccer and proud of what we accomplished when I played there, but this was such an amazing feeling to see them make history."
"To see girls that played before me and girls that played after me all so excited about this accomplishment was really special. We all share many of the same experiences and for most it brings back some of the best memories of our time in college. It was very nostalgic for all of us. Lots of blood, sweat, tears and joy have been shared on that field and all of that from past players set the groundwork for where they are today. To see all the girls coming together and sharing their excitement just brought back so many great memories for all of us!"
"When I played, every season's end goal was not only to be the best in our conference but to be the best in the country. Two of my four years were cut short in the Elite Eight, crushing our dream of a National Championship. I am hopeful that this accomplishment forever changes Aggie soccer, that the College Cup is the new normal and the National Championship now seems without a doubt always attainable. I truly believe that this is the year Aggie soccer will bring home the trophy. It will be the best feeling to see the players and well-deserved coaching staff finally be known as the best in the country."
