Peter Sanger, a senior on the 2010 Milwaukee men's soccer team, has been blogging all season long on the UWM website. Today is his 13th and final blog entry.
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So by the time all of you read this, I’m sure that you’ve already found out that our season came to an end in the quarterfinal round of the Horizon League Tournament at the hands of the Loyola Ramblers, 3-0. It was a rough way to go out and thus it’s taken me awhile to finally wrap up my last blog of the season.
The game against Loyola was not a pretty game to remember. We fell behind 1-0 in the first half and in pushing everything we had forward for an equalizer, we got caught on the counter for two late second-half goals. It was a tough game to swallow, because it all became very apparent as the last five minutes ticked down, that this would be my last collegiate game, ever.
In the past, it was easier to deal with, because there was always next season. However, this time around, it was truly the final whistle. It was even harder to deal with, because it was a game where it felt like we really hadn’t left it all on the field. Furthermore, for me personally, I knew that it wasn’t my best either.
Following my aforementioned ankle injury the last time we had played Loyola, I never really felt like the same player. It was something I definitely wasn’t used to dealing with. In the past three seasons, I spent whatever time I sat on the bench thinking that I should have been playing, because I knew that when I got my chances, I could take them. Yet, now I never really knew what to expect out of myself, because one day my ankle would feel almost back to normal, only to feel like I could barely push off enough to walk up stairs at school the next day normally.
I had always imagined going out differently, on top even, but I suppose there’s a reason why those stories are called fairy tales.
Regardless, I know there’s still some people left to thank. First, I’d like to thank the Deutsch Family. It’s lucky enough to have ones own family supporting them, but to have another family doing the same is truly special. Thus, I owe a ton to not only my girlfriend Sydney, but also her parents, Rose and Dave. They’ve truly been a second family; not only attending games, but for the immeasurable support throughout all aspects of life-on and off the field.
Secondly, I’d like to thank those who’ve really been a help to me on the field, since coming to UWM. Firstly, I must thank and old coach of mine, Bob Spielmann. Coach Spielmann was the person to pull the trigger on bringing me to UWM. He convinced me that it was the right place for me to come, and regardless of spending such a short time together at UWM; I’m not foolish enough to forget the thanks owed to him for the opportunity he gave me. I’d also like to thank Chris Dadaian for his positive influence for my first two seasons at UWM. Without him being around, I’m sure that I would have walked out. But most importantly, I’d like to thank the new coaching staff that arrived for my last year of soccer: head coach Chris Whalley, and assistants Ben Shepherd and Kyle Zenoni.
A complete change-up was exactly what not only the current players needed, but the program overall. I still have my notes from our interview with Coach Whalley when he was applying for the job and the things that I wrote down that impressed me the most were his blunt honesty and ambition. I could tell right away that this would be a completely different approach from those in the past. Despite watching all of our game film from the previous year, he gave us all a clean slate-which is what I have to thank him for the most. It could have been so easy to walk into his new job with approach of giving up on the upper-classmen and focusing on the future with younger players and the players that he’d eventually be bringing in himself.
Instead of hearing, “you’re not one of my guys, I didn’t recruit you here,” which is something I had heard in the past, it was “I’m going to play the players who give me the best chance at winning the game”. I felt like I finally had something to play for again and it was a huge lift to have a coach who had your back; shouldering the responsibility when we lost, and diverting the acclaim to us when we won.
Furthermore, I’m thankful for Coach Shepherd as well for everything he brought to the team/program as well. Coming in at half time and to training sessions following games, he’d always have great insight for us players. You can really tell he has a great knowledge of the game, because when he speaks, he doesn’t usually say a lot, but the substance of those few words means more than a coach who just talks your ear off. Last, but not least, a big thanks goes out to Coach Zenoni. I’ve known Z a long time and I know there’s nobody more deserving of a coaching position at UWM than him. Nobody cares about the UWM Men’s Soccer program more than Kyle Zenoni.
When he had just finished his collegiate career, he was helping out with my club team as a favor to a skill coach of ours, Jerry Panek. Seeing first hand, what the next level demanded to be successful was extremely helpful for me and I had never forgot the advice he gave me when I asked for help about reaching my goals of getting there. His incredible work ethic, no matter if he was doing something that will continue to aid the program in the future.
Lastly, I have some people to thank who were there from the beginning ... my family-not only my parents, but sisters and brother as well. I remember bothering both of my older sisters from day one and wouldn’t be who I was without them. My brother John also gave me somebody who made me feel responsible for being a role model-the verdicts still out on how I’ve done there I suppose! Then come my parents ... although we butted heads for much of high school, I can’t begin to thank them enough. Always encouraging me to follow my dreams, despite disagreeing at times the right way to achieve them, their support was paramount. And despite those disagreements on the right path, my mom has always backed and fought for me through everything; which can make all the difference. And then there’s my dad who has been the ultimate role model for me. Not only on the field, but also off. I know that if I become half the man he is, I’ll be more than content.
Well, that’s a wrap. Thanks for joining me through my final season here at UWM. Hopefully, if anything it was a good read and somewhat insightful to boot. Cheers.
Joga Bonito
