Women’s Soccer Blog – By Bridget Judd, Contributions from Alexis Mack and Kaitlyn Fedumenti, and Head Coach Nicholas Wajnowski
Being a student-athlete is an experience like no other. It easily one of the most stressful things, but the most rewarding. Student-athletes are forced to juggle strenuous class schedules as well as hectic practice and game schedules. When you are a student-athlete you have immense amounts of support from the faculty as well as your peers. The faculty not only helps when it comes to academics, but they help a great deal when it comes to your athletics career. They are able to help student-athletes with scheduling conflicts when they have to miss a class for a game; they are there to support the student and make sure the student succeeds in the classroom so they can be successful on the field. The other students are extremely supportive of student-athletes here at Albertus. There is a large amount of students who come out and support the different teams, often cheering loudly for classmates and adding to the excitement of the environment. I could not imagine my college career without soccer, so knowing I have the whole school supporting me in my endeavors on the field is a great feeling. Without this supportive environment that Albertus gives student athletes then we would not be able to continue our sports careers and be successful students.
And here are some quotes about our first on field experiences under the lights –
“The saying ‘Hard work pays off’ holds true to the (women’s) soccer program at Albertus. What started out as a grass field has transformed into a turf field with brand new stadium lights. The program has developed and achieved much success over the years, and this is recognized by the field’s newest addition. Playing under the lights (for soccer) creates a whole different atmosphere than playing under the sun. With darkness all around and the lights illuminating the field, it makes the players feel like stars. When a team feels good, they play good; this also holds true to the program. This new addition has not only provided light, but it has also provided more excitement and a higher rush, which resulted in several successes. Thanks to the new stadium lights, the soccer program will have an even brighter future. –Lexi Mack, Class of 2017
Stepping foot out on your home field with the lights shining down on you is an unbelievable feeling. You look around during this new time in your collegiate career and not only do you see the support and excitement coming from your teammates, but from your classmates and friends as well. –Kaitlyn Fedumenti, Class of 2017
Being part of a team is a something that is indescribable. But playing with your team under the lights is such a surreal feeling. There’s so much more hype when you’re playing under the lights, and when you’re doing it with 24 of your best friends it’s amazing. Having the lights has allowed student-athletes to do something that we haven’t been able to do on our own turf. It is a completely different atmosphere and feeling being able to play under the lights. All of us get excited to play in any game, but the adrenaline and excitement we felt as a team getting ready and warming up before the game under the lights is something I haven’t felt before. –Bridget Judd, Class of 2017
Being an alum, a coach, and an administrator watching the growth of our school and our department has been incredibly rewarding. When we stepped onto the field for our first practice under the lights, I stood there with our Associate Head Coach John Adams ’03 and just looked out onto the field and talked about how far everything has come. We are proud coaches as well as proud alum. We don’t get to this point without having great student-athletes and a supportive administration. It is a great time to be a Falcon right now. – Head Coach Nicholas Wajnowski, Class of 2005