Extra Time with the Seniors
11/09/2017 | Soccer
Picture this: its head coach Rich Rodriguez's second season with the Arizona Wildcats. His team is matched up against the No. 5 ranked Oregon Ducks and Heisman contender Marcus Mariota. The Cats, as big underdogs, start the first half leading 28-9. The ZonaZoo is starting to get rowdy, a win this big for a coach in his second season would be monumental.
Of course, Arizona would go on to win that game and launch Rodriguez's story with the Wildcats. But there's a detail from that game that hasn't been shared before. Somewhere away from the field, somewhere in the throng of people behind the Arizona bench stand four soccer players; four commits that would rewrite history for the Arizona Soccer program.
The clock begins to tick down on the scoreboard. The crowd (including our soccer players) are pushing against the concrete barrier separating them from a Wildcat team that's about to upset the powerhouse Ducks. The clock strikes zero and the score reads 42-16, Arizona. Students and fans start hopping the concrete barrier and swarming toward the center of the field. Our soccer commits follow suit, forever cementing their first experience as a class as they rush the field.
Senior Charlotte Brascia recounted that story as she thought back on her earliest memories with some of her (now) closest friends. From that first game until now, this class has accomplished everything.
"Being a member of the most successful senior class to play in the Arizona Soccer program has been an absolute honor," said Brascia. "We have contributed to building a legacy that will last long after we are gone. Our ten-win season, placing fourth in the Pac-12, and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament three out of my four years wouldn't have been possible without everyone supporting us. It was a true team effort."
Gabi Stoian stood by Brascia that day when they first met, on one of the nights of their official visit to Arizona. Now, she stands as one of the most decorated Arizona Soccer players of all time with the number two spot for goals, assists, and points in a career.
"The girls in this senior class have become some of my closest friends," said Stoian. "We were committed to the process from day one and were determined to leave our mark on the program. We were able to make history by making it into three NCAA Tournaments and I think we helped set the standard by doing so."
Setting the standard was the standard for this class. This is the first group of seniors to make it to three NCAA Tournaments in four years. They progressed to the Round of Sixteen in 2015, which was further than any team before them, and have 44 wins under their belt as a group.
"Making it to the tournament three times is a huge achievement for this team and the program," said Cali Crisler. "Starting out, coming in as a freshman it was all about Building a Legacy and to do that we took it one game at a time leading to a tournament run. I think leaving our senior year by making our third run in the NCAA Tournament gives us the fulfillment and excitement of knowing we have helped continue to Build a Legacy and hopefully have left a lasting impact on this program. I know that the team will continue to grow and set records with the work that everyone puts in everyday and the talented players that we have."
Along the way, they've found each other to be fast friends. Senior goalkeeper Jackie Bollinger had some things to share about her classmates.
"I love and care about my senior class so much," said Bollinger. "It amazes me that as much time as we spend on the soccer field and in the weight room that we still choose to spend free time, studying, and days off with each other. I also think the last three and a half years we have spent bonding has influenced how we have gotten better. These girls mean so much to me. I couldn't even begin to imagine going to a different school or having any other experience."
There was one player who didn't stand next to Crisler, Stoian, Bollinger, and Brascia that night. Senior Brandi Park joined the squad two seasons ago as a junior out of Pima Community College. Head coach Tony Amato hoped she would bring some light to the backline. Park says she never felt like a late addition as the fifth senior.
"They made me feel welcome and part of the senior class even though I wasn't there for the first two years," said Park. "They made me feel like I had been there for all four years. They knew how to include me in whatever senior task that they had to face."
Now, these seniors have one final task before they take off their boots and leave Mulcahy Stadium for good. The team has always talked about making a deep run into the NCAA Tournament, and this could be their year as they host TCU this Friday. Maybe that next group of historic seniors will be waiting up against the barrier this Friday, waiting to storm the field and begin their story as the next class of Arizona Soccer players.
