by Kaity Kopeski
Editor-in-chief
Sept. 23 marked the beginning of autumn, my favorite season. Bryan, being nestled in the Tennessee hills, is an especially wonderful place to witness fall. In addition to colorful trees, apple cider and corn mazes, fall also means the prime of soccer season.
My knowledge and appreciation of soccer is probably about average. I’ve played enough to know the basic rules, understand how difficult it is to score a goal, and am still thoroughly confused by “off-sides.” Like most Bryan college students, my love for Bryan soccer extends beyond my limited experience and knowledge. Attending a soccer match is fully experiencing a Bryan autumn.
Over the past three years, my soccer enjoyment has been unfortunately limited to the arena of men’s soccer. I attended women’s volleyball matches, and women’s basketball games, but women’s soccer was off my radar.
A couple Saturday’s ago I was hanging out with my friend, who lives with several female soccer players. They had a soccer match that night at 7:30 p.m, and had to be at warm up by 3 p.m. At noon, when I arrived at their townhouse, they were blasting music, trying to get pumped up. Their whole day revolved around the match. They talked about their running styles, their competition and then about the lack of students who attend their matches. I attended their next home match, and while there was a decent amount of people there, I soon realized that at least half were fans for the other team.
I’ve never played a collegiate sport, but I did play tennis all through high school. We too were hard-pressed for fans, and I remember the difference it made when my friends would watch, and the difficulty of playing an away match where the only fans present are rooting for your competitor. In tennis, fans aren’t even allowed to talk, but I still felt the presence of them supporting me, and it led to a powerful confidence on court.
I can excuse my peers for not attending my tennis matches. Tennis isn’t the most exciting sport, and it’s played in the fickle spring, meaning it was usually raining or hot. However, there are very few excuses for not attending the women’s soccer matches. Soccer is guaranteed to be exciting, and the weather is perfect. Plus, these girls are good, with an overall record of 7-2. So show your ladies some love and support your team.
The Lady Lions next home match is Saturday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.