Seniors say goodbye to program they helped build

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat UA seniors (clockwise from top) Jennifer Ginsberg, Kim Veeder, Megen Page, Melissa Kessler and Kate Mattson goofoff after last night's practice. The seniors are the final remaining members of the inaugural team.

Often these players devote their entire collegiate life to a team's success and development.

Seniors Melissa Kessler, Jen Ginsberg, Megen Page and Kate Mattson have taken this devotion to a higher level.

The group of seniors has been dedicated to developing a tradition of Wildcat soccer since the team's inception in 1994.

"I was excited about coming to Arizona," Kessler said. "I was glad to have the opportunity to help build a program."

After joining the team in its second season, senior Kim Veeder felt the same way.

"It has been really unique to go through these major transitions," Veeder said. "The team has become more solid, mainly because of the bench depth. Our level of play doesn't drop when subs come in."

The core of seniors are the heart and sole of the growing Wildcat soccer tradition, the final reminder of the team's first season.

"They have helped build a strong foundation with their levels of commitment, especially with workouts and summer training," said assistant coach Natalie McDowell. "It is a tribute to them that there are only four of them left."

They have all been through changes in the past four years, both on and off the field, but they have come together once again to say goodbye.

"We all started our freshman year as really close friends," Kessler said. "Over the past four years there have been times when we were not all friends. We have put the differences behind us and gotten back together to end on a good note."

Mattson agrees.

"We have lived in dorms together and experienced the same things with soccer," said the 5-foot-2 Seattle native. "We have made good memories that have brought us full circle."

That circle has included years of friendship and the challenge of balancing education and athletics. Competing in both soccer and track throughout her collegiate career, Veeder knows all about juggling sports and academics.

"I enjoy both, but in soccer there is more unity and friendship," she said. "This year has been especially fun because we have more depth and more unity."

Veeder redshirted 1996 due to foot surgery and will miss her last season of soccer eligibility to have another surgery on the same foot.

"What I have enjoyed most is growing up together and becoming so close," said Ginsberg, who is the career leader in both games played and started. "Out of the seniors that have been here for four years I don't think the friendships will end."

Ginsberg has contributed her entire career. As a freshman, he was a starter in all 14 matches and has only missed four games in the program's history.

And the seniors have received just as much as they have given to the program.

"Discipline. That is what will help me the most as I graduate," Kessler said. "As a student-athlete time management is vital with homework, practice, studying, and games."

Page, Kessler's roommate, has gained a different aspect on life from her soccer experience at Arizona.

"Living with twenty-five people for four years has taught me a lot," she said. "It's been a challenge to combine the different talents and personalities as a team."

As the seniors have grown and matured over the course of their Wildcat careers, the team as a whole has done the same.

"The level of talent has changed. It's grown over the years," said Ginsberg, "It's even changed from last year's team. We've matured to a team that can obviously compete with anyone."

"Having a set system has added to the team bonding and communication," Page said. "Over the years this has improved the passing and possession game, especially this year. The whole team has been involved."

The system that Page is referring to is the dominant defensive mentality that resulted in a team-record eight wins, five shutouts and the most successful season in team history.

"It is all overwhelming," said Page, "We have come a long way since our freshman year. We have learned to create a lot more."

Mattson agrees.

"We have had a great year and it means so much to have the initial four (freshman) finish winning because we only won three games our first year," said Mattson. "We have made great improvements from the beginning in all areas of the field."

Mattson, who redshirted her sophomore year due to injuries from a car accident, is forgoing her fifth season of eligibility to pursue internships before graduating next December.

Senior co-captain Emily Bumps has made huge contributions to the team while only being a member for two seasons. The Oklahoma native transferred to UA from Southern Methodist. Bumps, along with Page, has been a consistent force in the midfield.

"Her biggest contribution has been as a leader," McDowell said. "She has been tremendous motivational leader. She leads by what she says and through example both on and off the field."

The coaches believe that the departing seniors have set a standard for the future.

"They have set examples through their consistency of playing and leadership," said McDowell, "They have established a strong tradition of how to present ourselves as athletes and as students."