Player Journal

The following journal entry was written by two players during the team trip to Minnesota in September. On this trip, Pomona-Pitzer played Macalester College tough in a 1-0 loss and drew 1-1 with Grinnell College. Freshman Nicki Maron and Lily Hitchner were injured and unable to play in the games this weekend. They were asked to record their thoughts on the team’s trip and the game against Macalester.
 

Lily & Nicki’s Bench Talk: Pomona-Pitzer vs. Macalester Game 7:30 p.m. on the bench at the Macalester Stadium, St. Paul, MN

Lily: So Nicki, how was your plane trip to Minnesota?

Nicki: I think that anytime you’re with any of these 26 girls, you are bound to have a good time! But what made the plane ride great, besides the amazing Swedish fish that we bought at the candy store in Claremont, was seeing how academics are such a priority at both Pomona and Pitzer. One of the reasons why I came to P-P was because of the balance between academics and athletics and I was so happy to see the girls all working.

Lily: Yeah, its funny cause on my club team some people would make fun of me for doing work, but with the team, everyone’s there to help. With all of the girls, at least one of them has been in your classes before. They can give you advice on what classes to take, what professors are good, which ones are crazy, and even lend you books (Thanks Melissa!). Being a freshman, its nice knowing that they all have been through the same thing, survived, and are there to help.

Nicki: So it sucks that we aren’t able to play this weekend because of both our ankles, but being with the team is so worth it.

Lily: Yeah I sprained my ankle in the last game and you sprained your ankle right before preseason (trying to get out of the Fartleks test, huh?). But we should both be back soon. The training staff has been helpful and the team has been really supportive. I thought it would be hard not having my parents to take care of me, but Caitlin B. brought me ice and taught me how to elevate my bed, Melissa and Caroline came to visit, Ashley and Lauren called me a bunch, Cailten S. brought me cheesecake (it was delicious), my sponsor group brought me a feast for dinner (6 full plates of food), and coach came in the morning to drive me to classes. I felt pretty well taken care of by everyone! Thanks guys!

Nicki: Well, aren’t you a celebrity around here? Being driven to classes, having cake delivered to your door, jeez Hitch.

Mac Fans: "Where’s your surfboard? Where’s your surfboard?"

Alex: "Leaning against out palm trees…."

Nicki: Sorry, I was distracted. But back to being taken care of, yeah, the training staff has been amazing, especially Kirk, Jed, Natalie, Caitlin, and Ahmed. They really treat you like pro-athletes, which is pretty cool. Everyone should be forced to go in the ice bath with the little booties because it’s awesome! Liz, Jenny, and Julia have also been great, visiting me and taking care of me with their crazy stories. But who knows, maybe they just want gumballs from my gum-call machine…Hey, why didn’t you come and visit me?

Lily: That 10 minute walk under the sun is just too much for me. Well anyways, back to the game: We are down 1-0 to Mac right now, but the team is doing amazing. This is our first big test this season and we are moving the ball around well, playing quick, and with a lot of heart. The bench (the coolest place to be) is so hyped and excited to be here. So what do you think of the game Nicki?

Nicki: I don’t think that I could be more proud of the girls right now. They are playing with heart, desire…

Pomona-Pitzer bench: "CHIRP...CHIRP...CHIRP...CHIRP...CHIRP"

Nicki: Sorry, I was distracted again…desire, courage, commitment…

Mac fans: "5-4-3-2-1-0" (the scoreboard shows five minutes left on the clock)

Nicki: Wow I am so happy right now. Every single person on this team stepped up and played so well. We really proved ourselves tonight. I am especially happy because we stepped up for coach, who was an All-American here at Macalester. Wow, tonight was a great night and I am so excited for what the future has in store for us!

Lily: Same.
 

Lily Hitchner is a first year student at Pomona College. She is from Bethesda, MD and played for the Reston Football Club in Reston, VA. Hitchner plays defense and midfield for the Sagehens.