Column: What I'll remember about the 2023 Valparaiso women's soccer team

WSOC: Maybe the championship was the memories that were made along the way

SOUTH BEND - As the seconds ticked away late in Valparaiso’s match against Notre Dame on Saturday night, I started to feel a lump in my throat.

My emotions had little to do with the result. That the Irish advanced in the NCAA tournament with a 2-0 victory wasn’t why my lip was quivering. There’s a journalistic law that you shouldn’t cheer for teams you cover and I try my best to abide by that standard. The people I cover, now that’s a different story.

I’ve been blessed to cover Valparaiso athletics for the better part of two decades and the collection of individuals that I’ve come to know from the 2023 Valparaiso women’s soccer team are among the best I’ve ever met.

The theme has been consistent among players I’ve interviewed during the Missouri Valley Conference tournament run and into the NCAA tournament. The Valparaiso women’s soccer team wasn’t necessarily chasing a championship, they were chasing the ability to keep playing with their teammates. To keep making memories with their best friends.

The players aren’t the only ones who made memories. The emotions started to hit me on Saturday night because of the memories I’ve made and because the journey with these individuals has come to an end.

I’ll remember a lot when it comes to the 2023 Valparaiso women’s soccer team.

I’ll remember my countless conversations with John Marovich even if I still don’t quite understand what “coming out on the front foot” means. I’ll remember Eras-themed tweets and just general Twitter mastery from Brianne Barnes. I’ll remember how much I wanted to steal Noah Smith’s chocolate milk at the end of each match. I’ll remember how Katie Sullivan was effortless in balancing her own athletic pursuits with the health and wellness of her athletes.

I’ll remember the excitement I had when I learned three of last season’s seniors decided to take an additional year.

I’ll remember how Nicole Norfolk’s teammates lovingly referred to her as “Abuela” throughout the year and how she headed in a goal to beat Northern Iowa during her program-record 83rd start.

I’ll remember Allie Anderson finally scoring a collegiate goal in a match that counted (I watched her score several goals in exhibitions and spring games), and then scoring the biggest goal of the season against Drake. I’ll remember her putting on her Valley championship hat.

I’ll remember Abbey Hillman’s unbelievable beep test and then I’ll remember the sinking feeling days later when I saw her on crutches. I truly hope she returns for a sixth-year, if only because she deserves far better than what life handed her this season.

I’ll remember the first time I met Nikki Coryell. It was on the field at Loyola after Valparaiso lost in the 2021 spring Valley tournament championship. She was pissed off and I’m sure she didn’t want to answer questions from a stranger. She did it anyway and that told me all I needed to know. Three and a half years later, after one of the gutsiest performances I’ve ever seen from a Valparaiso athlete in the NCAA tournament loss to Notre Dame, she did it again. I could write paragraphs about what I’ll remember about Nikki, and maybe I will someday, but for now, I’ll say that I’ll remember cheese plates in the ARC. #IYKYK

I’ll remember Cassidy Eckstein’s neon headbands and how the only thing brighter was her outlook on the world. Cassidy’s enthusiasm for life lights up whatever room she’s in.

I’ll remember punching my fist in the air when Kelsie James scored a goal against Northern Iowa in the 2023 Valley tournament. No one deserved the moment more.

I’ll remember how seamlessly Aubrey Ramey assimilated herself onto the roster. It couldn’t have been easy to join a group that had been together for years at the 11th hour. Not only did she do it, but now it’s hard to remember Valpo soccer without Ramey on the team.

I’ll remember that stretch where Chase Ray became a goal scoring machine this season and I’ll remember when she tried to “Ding Dong Ditch” my hotel room in Des Moines.

I’ll remember so much about Lindsey DuSatko. My first conversation with Lindsey and Trent at Peddler’s was a memorable introduction. My lasting memory will be seeing her strength and resolve as she battled through a hip injury that left her career in the balance. I’ve never been happier to see a player return to the field.

I’ll remember my first interview with Sam Gountounas last season when she scored a goal against UIC. Getting interviewed is certainly not Sam’s favorite thing in the world, but she’s never hesitated to answer my questions whenever asked. I’ll always appreciate that.

I’ll remember hearing all the stories about how Peyton Evans blasted a Notre Dame player to the ground during an exhibition this season. That play set the tone of for the day and gave the team all the confidence it needed months later.

I’ll remember Emma Morrison’s grace and power in handling her knee injury this season. Watching her during a rehab session was inspiring and I can’t wait for her next chapter.

I’ll remember countless things about Addy Joiner. I covered Addy when she was at Chesterton High School and it was easy to see at an early age that she was an elite athlete. I’ll remember the joy on her face last year when Illinois State beat Missouri State, clinching Valpo’s conference title in the process. I’ll remember how much she enjoyed playing Illinois State this year, what with the trash-talking penalty kick and her seven fouls. I’ll remember the pride that her father shows every time he yells “baby girl” when Addy takes the field.

I’ll remember that first game I saw Dana Fish play without her knee brace and how free she looked on the field. The flow with which Dana moves on the field is poetry in motion.

I’ll remember the countless times that Lauren Cook was called upon to go on the field and just do her job. Lauren may be the most underrated player on the team and it’s criminal that her assist at Drake in the regular season didn’t turn out to be a bigger story. Championship teams need someone like Lauren Cook.

I’ll remember the strength that Cara Crompton has shown when things haven’t gone her way during her career. Cara has gotten knocked down numerous times and she keeps getting back up. I’ll remember when the parent of another player came up to me at Notre Dame and told me how moved he was by an answer Cara gave me in an interview.

I’ll remember watching Abby White labor through the breakfast line in Des Moines, frustrated that her back injury was holding her out of action. Then I’ll remember how she returned to Des Moines three weeks later, scored a goal off a corner kick, and set off a celebration for the ages.

I’ll remember watching Kate Sheridan warmup with Nikki Coryell before every match, always prepping herself for whenever her moment may come. She’s a pro’s pro with the way she approaches the game.

I’ll remember sitting with Kennedy Hill’s parents in the stands and sharing great conversation about their family. Whether Kennedy has played much or not this season, her family travels up from Texas whenever they can. (Bring steak next time!)

I’ll remember Molly O’Rear telling me last season that “if you’re not trying to get a yellow at least once a match, what are you even doing out there?” I’ll remember watching Molly do whatever she could to get herself ready for games. I’ll remember the great deal of pain that Molly played with this season and how she never let it impact her availability. She was simply always going to be there for her teammates.

I’ll remember getting to meet the freshmen for the first time last spring during an exhibition and how excited they were to join the Valparaiso soccer family. I haven’t had the chance to have interactions with all of the freshmen quite yet, but there’s no doubt that Helen, Hannah, Eve, Carly and Emma will have plenty of big moments in the future.

I’ll remember watching Daisy Boardman do everything in her power to fight through an ankle injury in the Valley title match. She got hurt and fell to the ground, but play continued around her. She picked herself up and sprinted down the field to help defend a ball before collapsing to the ground again. The moment was overlooked in the celebration of the victory, but her toughness was on full display.

I’ll remember following the story of Tatum Coleman as she tore her ACL on Valentine’s Day and then was back on the field 236 days later. (TVB readers certainly haven’t heard the last of this story)

I’ll remember the youthful energy that Julianna De Simone brought to the field every day. Moments before the title match against Drake, Julianna looked into stands, spotted who I presume was one or two family members and waved. It was an innocent moment before a stressful game and it was a reminder that regardless of what is happening in the moment, always be grateful and have fun.

I’ll remember how drastic my interactions with Anna Cup have changed throughout the year. She was shy and reserved the first time I interviewed her. A stranger sticking a microphone in her face and asking her to open up maybe wasn’t on her Bingo card. I’ll remember thinking that maybe I was just never going to breakthrough the communication wall with Anna, only for her to begin acknowledging me by my full name every time she saw me. I returned the favor and we were off. There may not be a more interesting person on this team, and hopefully in 2024, I’ll remember telling Anna Cup’s story.

I’ll remember the celebration in Des Moines and the celebrations at The Victory Bell.

I’ll remember how Valparaiso’s fans took over Alumni Stadium in South Bend, rallying behind a group of women who earned every ounce of their respect.

I’ll remember the slow jog across the field after a match. I’ll remember the players looking into stands and clapping three times.

“Thank you.”

(Photos courtesy of Valpo Athletics)