Hopkins Soccer

Name: Laura Moody

Year: Class of 2013

Hometown: Rancho Palo Verdes, CA

Majors: Neuroscience, Applied Math

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 When applying to college I had only one thing in mind: academics.  From day one, my parents had made it clear that a good education was top priority.  So when I was making my final decision, Hopkins stood out and seemed like the perfect academic match for me.  Like every other excited incoming freshman, I began to peruse the website and the numerous pamphlets, looking at all the opportunities and campus activities.  After countless hours of research, I came to the realization that Hopkins was more than just an academic powerhouse; it also had a competitive Division III athletic program.  Sure, everyone knew about the famous Hopkins Lacrosse team, but other sports teams seemed relatively unknown.  I started thinking that I actually might have a chance of continuing my athletic career and playing soccer in college.  I had never really thought about varsity athletics beyond high school because I never considered myself good enough to play at the next level.  Plus, I was supposed to be focused on schoolwork.  But after careful consideration, I finally decided to email the coach.  I waited for a reply, hoping that he wouldn’t dismiss me as just another player.  But by the end of June, it was official: I was to come to Baltimore a week before move in day and tryout during preseason.  I didn’t know whether to be excited or scared or anxious.  All I knew was that my plans had changed and I was ready to see what happened next.

I arrived on August 21st.  Stumbling into my bare room in AMR, I half expected to find my roommate already there to greet me.  But upon examining my room and exploring the entire dorm, I realized that I was in fact the only student in the whole building (I later found out that almost all the other athletes lived in Wolman).  It was hot and humid, yet I managed to unload my two enormous suitcases from the car and unpack just enough clothes and bedding to get me through the week.  I didn’t want to completely settle in just in case my roommate had other ideas about furniture arrangement.  It was my first day at college.  I was alone in a half-inhabited room 3000 miles away from home.

The next few days were a blur.  Three practices a day, team dinners, weekend scrimmages; it was a tad overwhelming to say the least.  Not only was it physically demanding, but meeting 25 new girls was also a challenge.  Awkward silences dominated our conversations.  While the upperclassmen talked and joked, we freshmen huddled together and kept to ourselves.  But things got better after a few days as we got to know each other and become more comfortable in our new environment.  The freshmen naturally became friends and the other classes eventually warmed up to us.  The upperclassmen were more than happy to share their traumatic college stories, being sure to add pieces of advice here and there.  We spent almost every waking hour with each other and bonded over our intense soccer schedule and the anticipation of the start of the school year.

The next week was more hectic than the first.  Students were moving in and the hallways were filled with unfamiliar voices.  I started to miss having the whole dorm to myself.  Once again, I had to go through the painstaking process of meeting everyone in the dorm.  But once again, we eventually broke through the awkward phase and became more relaxed around each other.  Before classes began, most of my day was consumed with soccer.  Even during orientation, I had to miss many of the activities to attend practice and scrimmages.  However, my schedule became more consistent with the start of school: class in the morning, lunch, free time, soccer practice, homework.  Balancing soccer and schoolwork was less challenging than I predicted.  I had plenty of time to finish homework and study for tests, and I even had time to play a casual game of Rock Band here or there or watch an episode of Desperate Housewives with my dorm mates. 

By this time, soccer season was in full swing.  Being a freshman, I didn’t expect to play much and at first I didn’t.  I worked hard in practice though, and it eventually paid off.  I’ll never forget playing in my first college soccer game against #1 ranked Messiah College.  We lost, but it was amazing.

I had time to handle my homework and social life, but soccer was still a large time commitment.  We played games at Homewood, but we also traveled.  The 7 hour bus ride to William Smith College was one of the most memorable trips.  We were supposed to leave at 4:00 but the bus had a leak, so we ended up leaving at 7:30 and arriving at approximately 3 in the morning (There’s nothing like going to bed at 3 and waking up for an 11am game).  But spending such extensive periods of time with the team only brought us closer.  Music is playing the whole drive, people are laughing, and the atmosphere is lively.  But it always amazes me that no matter how friendly the girls are off the field, they always switch modes for the game.  The team’s intensity and competitive spirit are what made us the team to beat in the Centennial Conference.

Fast forward to November.  Conference play is coming to a close.  With a 16-3-0 record, we are seeded second in the Conference Tournament.  The season has been good, but a conference title would really be the perfect ending.  Today is the final, Hopkins vs. Dickinson.  We step onto the field confident but not cocky, ready to work hard.  After over an hour of back-and-forth play, a scoreless stalemate seems inevitable.  Yet right when we begin to feel discouraged, we score a goal and the momentum changes.  With only 20 minutes left to play, we hold off Dickinson for the win.  Not only do we win our fifth consecutive Centennial Conference title, but we also get an automatic spot in the NCAA tournament.

So far, playing soccer has been the best choice that I have made in college.  It keeps me in shape and makes me feel like an active part of the school.  The best part is that I’ve made 25 new friends.  The season thus far has been great, but I can’t wait to see what happens in the upcoming weeks.