Freshman midfielder Melissa Clarke is in her first season with the LSU women’s soccer team and is a player who head coach Brian Lee says has the ability to “make an immediate impact on the program.” Clarke graduated from Norcross High School in Norcross, Ga., with a 4.0 GPA and was named a Soccer Buzz Top 50 Recruit in 2005.
She has earned numerous awards, including the honor of being a U.S. Youth All-American in 2004 and a member of the U16 U.S. National Team the last two years. Clarke hopes to lead the LSU soccer program to the top of the SEC and the nation in her time in Baton Rouge. The entries in this diary are meant to chronicle Clarke’s experiences in her first season as a Division I student-athlete.
Nov. 3, 2005: Diary Entry #7:
There are only eight teams still standing, and it’s showtime. The LSU Tigers have made it to the SEC Tournament! It came down to the final game, and the only option we had was to win our last game of the season and we did. The 4-3 win over Arkansas has gotten us to the first game of the tournament. Here, only the strongest survive. We stood our ground during the Arkansas game, scoring four great goals in the second half. Hopefully, we can match the same commitment and intensity and bring it to this game.
In the first game of the tournament we open with Tennessee, which sits atop of the SEC. But soccer is a funny sport. Just because you have the best record, doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily advance, or even make it out of the first round. As of this Thursday we start with a clean slate. Anything can happen.
On Wednesday there was a dinner for the eight teams. It was a dressy affair — girls changed out of their strict shorts and t-shirt attire into glamorous and at some glances, unrecognizable beauties. It was fun to see a few of the girls I played with in the past all gathered together knowing that each of us have taken different routes and all meeting in this tournament.
After we finished eating, the awards were presented. First, was the SEC All-Freshman Team. I was astonished to hear my name called in the group. After I had received my flowers and was on my way back to my table, I was caught off-guard as I heard my name called as one of the members of the Second-Team All-SEC. That was awesome and the only thing I could do was smile. Accomplishing that gave me a great feeling. It kind of gave me a feeling of where I stand with the other players. I realize how big of a margin there is between players in the SEC and what I can accomplish.
It’s a humbling experience to see that nothing separated this team from being one of the four teams not in the tournament. What we’ve accomplished is what could have been for those teams. I couldn’t be more proud of us that we’ve made it this far, but there is something great beyond this point. In being here, we are making strides to becoming a great team and program. I say since we’ve made it this far, let’s go even further.
(Special thanks to: God because all great things come from Him. My parents, I wish you could be here! My coaches, thank you for everything. And special thanks to my teammates. You truly don’t know how much I value your support.)
Oct. 5, 2005: Diary Entry #6:
First there was Hurricane Katrina. Then came Rita, which left a similar scene of pain, despair and loss for many people in Louisiana and Texas.
The coasts were beaten twice over with the wrath of Mother Nature. Many are left without homes and forced to live in unaccustomed areas due to displacement.
As each new day passes, it brings about a different chapter to this tragic story. For those affected, life still continues. Adjusting to change has proven to be a feat no one person can undertake alone. Combined efforts from the helping hands of the community have given light to much of the destruction. As somber as every day seems, better days will come.
Not only have we as a community and as a school had to fight two major natural disasters, but we as a team have had to bear arms against teams in the SEC. Our first week started off with a tie to Kentucky.
We fought the whole 90 minutes but came up short on finishing opportune chances. At Vanderbilt, the 2-0 final score was the result of minor lapses that, as a team, we have learned from. This past weekend we played Ole Miss and Mississippi State with our record standing at 1-2-1 at the end of the weekend.
In the past, keeping up with class work along with my sport hasn’t been hard. Because I have been a student-athlete for so long, finding some sort of balance or equilibrium has become somewhat habitual.
I’ve found that the most important part of being a successful student-athlete is keeping balance in your chaotic schedule with the right priorities in mind. Distractions are countless, but nonetheless, your focus has to be exceptional enough to stand firm.
Many times it seems that after I’ve completed one assignment, I have two more to finish — then four, then six. With the amount of class work we as athletes have to do, plus practice and social events, you must be focused. Gladly, we are given a solid support system through the athletic department to help us succeed. You can always count on help to be on your side.
Since the first couple weeks of school, juggling all my different obligations has become a challenge, but things are never as complicated as they seem. Prioritization and organization play huge roles in the small margin between success and failure. I feel that once I master this, everything else will be a breeze.
Sept. 15, 2005: Diary Entry #5:
We have played three games in the last five days, and it seems we are returning to a sense of normalcy after the hurricane. We walked off the field victorious in all three games to improve our record to 4-2-0 on the season. The team played well against Belmont, but the outcome could have been better if we would have capitalized on a lot of our chances. I felt that I should have been more composed in front of the goal, and I even had my first goal of the season erased because of an offside call. However, we returned to Baton Rouge with a win and that’s what matters most.
On Sunday against Jackson State, it was evident that practice had been paying off. End line combinations early in the first and second halves gave us great opportunities on goal. We played great as a team, but again I personally did not feel content with my performance. Our level of play as a whole was much better than the previous game. We showed that we definitely were on our way to finding our rhythm. The goal for our next game was to continue to be more consistent and take our intensity to another level.
Our opposition on Tuesday was McNeese State. Individually, I needed to simply relax and just play. Soccer, I’ve discovered, is truly a game of simplicity. Sometimes you have games in which every shot you take is off target and passes are not going where they should. Your head starts to hang low. Disappointment and discouragement form on your face. I’ve learned that you can not let negativity take over because you will only dwell on the mistakes that are made. The antidote: patience and composure. When I say patience, I mean a great deal of it.
Everything happens with patience. In time, I’ll get it right.
HOO-HA TIGERS!!!
Sept. 7, 2005: Diary Entry #4:
Last week will be one of the most remembered in history. Rarely has such destruction, emotion and devastation been seen and heard by so many throughout the country in the past several days. Lives have been changed, affected and turned upside down by last week’s powerful storm.
Not only has Hurricane Katrina touched the lives of those hit directly by the storm, but it has caused a ripple effect through everyone whether they believe it or not. Sadly, it is through pain and sorrow that we reveal something deep within ourselves, especially the value of life and each new day. Katrina has definitely caused me to look at my life in a different perspective because I know the future is uncontrollable and unforeseen.
Sadness won’t cure all that is lost, but support is everywhere to be found. So many have come to the aid of those who have lost homes and family members during the disaster. The majority of the population, especially in Louisiana, has tried to help in some way, shape or form. For instance, our team gave a helping hand to the victims at the PMAC (Pete Maravich Assembly Center) and the (Carl Maddox) Field House to help in any way that we could.
Returning to some sort of rhythmic normalcy was refreshing, even though it seemed like the first day of school all over again. Changes in schedules and class location were widespread, partly due to the accommodations of the many students from New Orleans. Even walking around campus it seemed as if there were 10,000 more students than there were before the previous week.
LSU sports as a whole has a great task at hand — to overcome all that has happened and play well for its fans. Pictures of Katrina’s destruction are everywhere. To cast the pictures aside and push them to the back of your mind is a trying effort. Last Sunday we played against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Through the game we had chances that we failed to put away with a few hitting the post, and at the end of regulation, the score was still 0-0 sending us to overtime. We pulled through in the first five minutes of overtime to score the winning goal. A ball was sent over the top of the defensive line to Jo (junior forward Joleen Phillips) who dribbled past the keeper to score and win the game. We finished our first game since the hurricane with a hard-fought win.
Last minute changes due to unforeseen circumstances for our upcoming games have caused not only LSU soccer, but all sports to adjust accordingly. Many of the games in this season have been changed and rescheduled, but being the school that we are with such focus, we still plan to approach every game with unyielding intensity.
GEAUX TIGERS!
Aug. 31, 2005: Diary Entry #3:
Our first game of the season was held in the Beaver State — Oregon. This was by far the farthest Northwest that I had ever traveled, and the tall evergreens, rolling hills, and cool, non-humid weather conditions were a big change coming from Louisiana.
Before our first game on Friday against Oregon State, the positive energy and chemistry could be felt throughout the team. This helped us start the game strong and find our rhythm. In the first two minutes of the game, a combination between the midfielders sent a ball into Joleen Phillips, one of our forwards, and she beat the goalkeeper who came out to challenge to put us ahead, 1-0. It was a hard fought game in which everyone as a whole stepped up and played well, but a lack of communication and organization caused us to give up two goals in the second half and overtime. The game ended 2-1 in favor of Oregon State.
Saturday gave us time to reflect and correct our mistakes from the previous day. On Sunday against Oregon, we needed to be ready to compete with everything that we had — no excuses or exceptions. The first 20 to 25 minutes of the game replayed like Friday’s game with us having most of the possessions with the ball. However, we did not score the first goal. At around the 34th minute, Oregon scored on a penalty kick to put us behind by one goal. We needed to regain our focus and fighting mentality, and coach Brian Lee helped me with exactly that with his halftime speech. Although we did struggle and give up another goal to the Ducks, we learned a huge lesson during the second half — DON’T GIVE UP. The game isn’t over until the final whistle blows. For this young team, we need to realize that the game has only just begun.
To rebound and keep our eyes on the prize, Brian asked Sara Pollock (a sophomore midfielder) to give a great speech to the team about her tremendous pride for LSU. She has been a part of the LSU family since she can remember, partly due to the fact that her mother, D-D Breaux, has been the head coach of the women’s gymnastics team for many years. What she said felt true to all of us. It is in pride that we find the will to step up and fight for what is ours. It is in pride that we can confidently stand, put on our jerseys and represent our town, our school and most of all one another.
“Take pride, and enjoy it”
— Sara Pollock #6
GEAUX TIGERS!!!
Aug. 26, 2005: Diary Entry #2:
The team had its first preseason scrimmage last Friday, and it was time for the team to step up and put all of our training to use. The first five minutes of the game were rather hectic, until about the 20:00 mark when most of the players started to find their groove. The team, including myself, had many great opportunities to score but couldn’t seem to bury any shots. We decided not to play overtime, and the final score was 1-1.
Keeping in mind that this was our first competition against another team, I tried to look at the positive and not dwell on what I should have and could have done. I needed to learn from my mistakes and bounce back for our first big matches against Oregon State and Oregon. Talk about pending excitement!
I feel that with the necessary focus, confidence and positive attitude, this team will rise to the occasion. Even though our scrimmage didn’t go as planned, with a little patience it will all come together. I still feel that we accomplished what we needed to do — work out the kinks and prepare ourselves for the upcoming season. I know without a doubt that we will come to play and give Oregon and Oregon State a run for their money.
Following the first scrimmage was the first week of school. The first couple of days are usually some of the most anticipated and most hectic days, and since this was my first day of college, I knew it would be no exception. I had to wake up about 40 minutes before my wonderful 7:30 a.m. class, and from there I had to go to two other classes. After classes were done, I had to go to the academic center, the training room two or three times, to weightlifting and finally soccer practice, which didn’t start until about 8 p.m. In between, I had to figure out what times I could go to my dorm room in order to change clothes and grab a bite to eat.
During the rush, I didn’t even stop to think that I had finally experienced college life first hand. Let me tell you, it wasn’t as I had imagined. Yes, freedom and liberation are definite pluses, but remembering the seemingly endless lists of things to do is something to get used to. Fortunately for me, the adjustment has just been a matter of organizing and prioritizing — traits that I have picked up in a matter of weeks in my transition from high school to college.
This is just the beginning, and from what I have experienced and seen so far, I know LSU is the place where anyone can have fun and truly live out their college experience. GEAUX TIGERS!!
Aug. 17, 2005: Diary Entry #1:
College is finally here! I have spent the past four years anticipating life on my own without my family and all the things I am accustomed to. I can’t believe it’s finally here and only just beginning.
Fall camp started the day after I had officially moved into my apartment on campus. At 7 a.m. the team assembled on the track for the most nerve-racking beginning of camp our first fitness test. Nervous doesn’t even begin to sum up my anxiety. I kept thinking to myself, “Melissa, just breathe.” You know how the saying goes, “your first impression is always the last,” and I sure didn’t want to leave a bad one.
Casting all my negative thoughts aside, I pushed through the fitness test and passed. I was glad that the dedication put into getting fit prior to the first day of fall camp paid off. The next day I awoke groggy and sore from the previous day of practice. The soreness was nothing I had ever experienced before. But I reminded myself how good I would feel for our first game knowing that I was ready and that all the soreness and fatigue paid off.
Coming together with girls from all over the world (yes, we have Canadians) can be hard on the field because of our different playing styles. From the first day until now, the team has gelled quite well, but we still have a lot of work to do.
You might think it intimidating, but I find it exciting having the chance to play with older and more experienced girls. Practicing with the team has helped me realize my strengths and my weaknesses, especially when we compete against one another. They’re a little faster and stronger than I am, but it’s good to know that in time my speed, strength and overall skill will improve. That really pumps me up to know that I will get better so that I can compete with the best players in the nation.
So far it hasn’t been hard balancing my time and keeping up with all the meetings, obligations and practices that we’ve had. I’m nervous of the fact that in one week we, the freshmen athletes, will have to balance studying and classes on top of everything else. But that’s one of the benefits of playing collegiate soccer. I am surrounded by at least 15 other girls who have been there and done that and are there to support me and my teammates. I know they are there to help me through the good times and bad.
Overall I am extremely excited about the upcoming season, the coaches, the players and the competition. GEAUX TIGERS!!!