Freshman midfielder Malorie Rutledge is in her first season with the LSU women’s soccer team and comes to Baton Rouge from Sharpsburg, Ga., as one of the top 75 recruits in the country for the Class of 2006 according to Soccer Buzz Magazine. She earned recognition as one of the nation’s premier attacking midfielders as a member of both the Region III Olympic Development Program Team and one of the country’s top club teams in the Peachtree City Lazers. Rutledge will help lead a deep LSU midfield for the next four years and is sure to make it one of the top units in the country during her career in Baton Rouge.
Diary Entry
I have been here at LSU for exactly 10 weeks now and I can’t believe it’s gone by so fast. It feels like I just unpacked my boxes and said my goodbyes to my family and friends. I knew I wanted to expand my horizons and leave Georgia for college, but I had no idea that I would fall in love with LSU like I did when I came on my visit. The second I got done with my visit I knew that this is where I wanted to be for the next four years. You would think a small town Southern girl would become even a little homesick, but I haven’t one bit. I was never away from my home for more than a week at a time. I was always with my friends and I thought it would be impossible to go five months without seeing them.
Being gone for 10 weeks has been a really big change for me, but I’ve enjoyed every second of it and wouldn’t change one thing. A huge part of that is because I have three amazing roommates. I share an apartment with Chelsea Potts, Nikki Bush, and Katherine Lagow, and I can honestly say there hasn’t been one dull moment in our apartment. No matter what, I know I have someone to talk to within five steps of my room. My parents have also taken on a big role in me not getting homesick, and they have yet to miss a game so far. They have traveled from Maryland to Tennessee to Baton Rouge and everywhere else we’ve played. They truly are the biggest fans of LSU soccer. No matter what, they are only a plane ride away. I know my parents love me playing here and they couldn’t be happier for me.
I only knew one person when I came here to LSU ? Melissa Clarke. Mel and I were on the same club team and had played ODP together for many years. There are only two 87s in the freshman class which means I didn’t know any of the freshmen coming into this year. I had seen some of them at various tournaments, but we never really knew one another. I was curious how we were all going to get along and play together since we didn’t really know each other coming in. This team has come together so much since the first day. We all get along well on and off the field, and I couldn’t be happier with this team and being able to play with my teammates!
I can’t believe we only have three SEC games left. It feels like it was just last week that we were meeting out by the track to start our first fitness test of the preseason. We still have South Carolina, Florida and Arkansas left, and these are three huge games for us. We are currently seventh in the SEC standings, and I know we can finish better than that. Florida is leading the SEC with 19 points and we are sitting with 11 points right now. We have had a few close losses and tough breaks along the way, but I know we can finish this season right there with the top teams in the SEC. I am really looking forward to our upcoming games and seeing how far we can go the rest of the season and in the SEC Tournament.
Soccer isn’t the only thing that helps the time fly by here. I’m taking 15 hours of classes this semester, and college is completely different than high school and has taken a while for me to get used to. Time management has been the hardest part for me. Separating my study time between all five classes and still having time for other activities has been a little tricky, but I found out that it really helps to study my notes every night when it comes to test time. The freshmen have a mandatory study hall for two hours a night every Monday through Thursday, and it really does help us out with our studying and homework. We have such an amazing academic support program here for student-athletes that really keeps us on the right track.
I couldn’t be happier with where I am at. There’s no doubt that LSU is a perfect fit for me, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice to continue my education and soccer career here. I can’t wait to see what the next four years will have in store for me, and it should be a lot of fun. It’s a great day to be an LSU Tiger!!! Geaux Tigers!!!