University of Richmond Athletics
JJ's Journal
11/21/2002 | Women's Soccer
Nov. 21, 2002
In her second installment, Meredith Johnson takes us into the 'game.' The fifth-year senior recalls the experience from this past weekend's two NCAA victories.
On the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament...
It was Thursday morning and we set out on our road trip to Charlotte, NC for the first weekend of NCAA play. We are matched against Clemson in the first game, while JMU and UNC Charlotte are playing in the second game. It's early and we all pile on our bus with our snakeskin cowboy boots wearing, rap music singing, smooth bus driving, and favorite driver, Ruben. Ruben accompanied us on an earlier trip up North and graciously took us on another adventure. After arriving in Charlotte we went out to practice looking like a bunch of misfits all dressed in our different practice gear due to the change in weather. When we arrived at the hotel we had the pleasure of sharing it with our opponents and future opponents...not so fun. For me, I love to see the other team before I play them because I take it personally and feel that they are invading my space and that they are lucky to be around us. Can't lie - but there was definitely tension over who was gonna get that last bagel at the continental breakfast (Well, we did of course J).
Soon game day was upon us and we were gearing up for our first NCAA game as the underdogs. I love being the underdogs because we have nothing to lose and making a fuss is what we do best! We get dressed and taped at the hotel since the field was only 3 songs worth away. We load up the bus with only a few words said. Everyone either had their headphones on or they are too focused to talk. We crank up our three songs, Homeboy I came to party..., Still fly, and Peaches n' Cream. As we get closer and closer to the field my stomach starts to tense and I get goose bumps looking around our team knowing that it is about that time. You can hear coach humming to our songs - not because he likes them but because through superstition he has the tunes embedded in his mind. It is finally game time and the emotions are on high, the stands have both Richmond and Clemson fans, but at that moment it doesn't matter because you are so focused that you can't hear a thing.
Finally, after a few team moments and intro's, where they can't even get our names right, it is time for the first whistle. But, before the whistle that started this incredible journey the National Anthem is played and as I do my gamely prayer, tears enter my eyes because I am so thankful for the opportunity that has been presented to us. You could look around the Spiders and you knew that we were either coming out on top or going out fighting our hardest. At the end of 90 minutes you could see Richmond cheering and hugging and some crying. We had done what everyone who did not know us thought we could not do - we had beaten the #15 team in the nation and were moving on to the second round. You looked around the field and Clemson was speechless and motionless not moving because they knew that their season was done. I remember looking around saying that that is the last feeling in the world I want to have, the moment when I know that that was the last game I will ever play in my life.
After cleaning up and watching a little bit of the second game we went to eat, where our parents, who are our number one fans, joined us for some celebration over some fine dining. You could tell that our team was happy over our accomplishments, but after the game you could tell we were already preparing for our next round. I was happy to know that JMU won because we have a history with JMU and it would make a victory over them so much sweeter than over some team we have never played. Early in the year, JMU beat us (5-1) in our own tournament, asking us to turn the scoreboard back on so they could take a picture in front of it. Needless to say, we did not feel bad taking a picture in front of the scoreboard that was evidence that we were going into the Sweet Sixteen.
On Saturday, we went to Whitney Sikes's momma's (just like she would say it in her southern accent) house for some good ol' North Carolina BBQ. I was quite the happy person since I am also from NC! Speaking of being in NC and having four players from that state, we forgot how great it was to have real southern tea instead of this packaged stuff up North. On the way back to the hotel, after hanging out at Whitney's house, we were all doubling up and tripling up into the front seats of the bus. Coach thought that it was a sign of how close our team is, and don't get me wrong, we are close and like to sit together when we are riding instead of traveling, but tripling up means there was another reason. Well, remember Ruben, our bus driving machine? He claims the stench coming from the bathroom at the back of the bus was the cleaning supplies that were used to clean it. Well if that smell is lemony-fresh then that company is not gonna be doing too much business. After we got back to the hotel and escaped the horrible stench we either did work or took a nap before eating AGAIN. We ran in the rain to our restaurant, which was right next to our hotel, and had another meal.
We awoke on Sunday for a team walk to get us up and going since we had an early game at 1:00 pm. After our walk we ate breakfast amongst JMU players and parents. Needless to say very few words were spoken and many glares exchanged. It was finally game time - finally time to take the field where only one team would advance in the end. It was still raining and very chilly especially for this southern girl. We had to warm up on a side field so that they could finish trying to get the standing puddles off the field before the start. It is finally time for the first whistle. The next thing I knew it was halftime and still a tie game at zero. We could barely feel our legs or hands and were covered in mud from head to toe. It was the type of game where if you went to slide tackle you could feasibily see yourself sliding from one end line to the other...not to say that isn't fun and not to say that that didn't happen to me!
Finally, Annette (Isham) put in the game-winning goal, but after her airplane/flailing arms celebration we knew there was still a lot of time left. We did not change our game though, we kept attacking and defending all the same. When the final 10 seconds were being counted down, you could hear the whole entire stands chanting with the seconds and when we sent the ball flying into our attacking ends corner flag we knew we had made it to the Sweet 16! I immediately turned to [goalkeeper] Megan Cox and hugged her for what felt like 27 minutes or so, I was so thankful for what had just happened. The whole team rushed the field and everyone starting sliding in the mud, just in case there was a spot that was still clean. Finally we were gathering up our stuff and getting ready to shower and talk with the fans. Everyone was all smiles and there is no explanation to what was going on in our heads. My favorite part was after we loaded up the bus nearly everyone got on their cell phones calling every number in their memory. A bus ride for five hours is not so bad when you know that you just made it to the third round in the NCAA's. After enjoying the two great wins for a few moments we are back at them this week preparing for another incredible chance at advancing this weekend in our game against Portland at Portland, Oregon.
