This year seems really different (than the previous two seasons). The players feel more comfortable with my philosophies and I feel more confident in relaying what I believe in to them. Everyone seems to be on the same page at this point and I feel that we are much further ahead of where we were last year in terms of both physical and mental fitness.

Jenn has not let her injuries discourage her. In fact, I think it has motivated her. She has discovered how much the game means to her and has comeback at a level that is improved from when she was last healthy. She is a very smart and tough player and will help our defense.

Sara is the most skilled of the three goalkeepers, but they all have different strengths and any of them can play depending on the opponent. Both Jackie and Kristin have made great strides since last fall and all three goalkeepers have the capability to step in and play if they are needed. I think Kristin and Jackie took news of Sara coming here as a challenge and have welcomed the competition.

It wasn't disappointing losing to Wake [Forest]. They ended up winning, as they had the previous two seasons. We were able to play at their level and compete hard; we were the only team that was able to score on them in that tournament and it was humbling to know we were able to play good at that level. It shows that we were an unbelievable team.

There was something so enchanting about August rain. You still had the excitement of summer, yet there was the underlying anticipation of the stillness of fall.

An early spring started one morning in March with a swarm of sudden, glassy, bird cries, and then the cool jewelry of primrose and violet loosened themselves in the dirt. Then summer burst into the world like a gorgeous car accident- opening eyes all over our bodies in the brilliant light. Fall- the smell of pumpkin guts, sluttish and unsweetened. Until winter fell all over us like pieces of heaven, glazed with oxygen or ether, hitting the grounder in small, cold shards. It was like a year in Eden where no Eve had ever lived.