<center><b> Player Diary By Wendy Emminger</b></center>
September 11, 2002
This trip was going to be a "business trip".
The long-lasting rivalry between the three Service Academies would once again be revisited. Would we be the first team to prevail over both Army and Navy in the same year? It was my senior year, and my last chance to help bring home the trophy.
The outcome, however, was not one I had expected.
We didn't bring home the trophy; in fact, we lost both games. Despite the devastation, I didn't hang my head afterwards. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to; but when I looked around and saw my teammates next to me, it almost brought a little grin to my face. Any team out there can win together. It takes friendship to lose together. And that's exactly what we did.
There was no finger-pointing or complaining. Instead, teammates were congratulating each other on a well played game. Those on the bench were getting drinks for the other players coming off the field exhausted. I firmly believe one should play every game to win, and if one doesn't have this desire, he or she shouldn't step on the field.
I wanted that game. We all did. We fought a battle on that soccer field in 95 degree weather with ridiculous amounts of humidity and came up short. We didn't win a soccer game on Sunday afternoon, but we were victorious.
I've realized it's not all about winning and losing, it's about the person standing next to you on the soccer field. It's about the friendships we share; and no loss can strip that away from us.
I'm ready for next week.
We have felt what it's like to lose together, dealt with it, and pressed on. Now it's our time to win together, and with the bond that holds our team in place, few will be able to stand in our way. - Wendy Emminger
