Senior Spotlight: Women’s Soccer

Closing remarks by four seniors at the end of their final season

As the Women’s Soccer season draws to a close, we interviewed four seniors for their perspective on the highlights of their former seasons, and what they have planned once they leave the University of Dallas.

Livia Le, Midfielder, Hometown: Katy, Texas, Major: Chemistry

1. My plan is to go to dental school following graduation.
2. My favorite memory is when we would go to our favorite bakery on our San Antonio trips. 
3. “The Iliad” by Homer was one of my favorite Core books.
4. My goal for the season [was] to bring positive energy to the team.
5.  I would want my teammates to continue to love the sport and to continue to play for their teammates, coaches, and themselves.

Claire Reed, Midfielder, Hometown: Harlingen, Texas, Major: Biochemistry

1. I plan on going back home, spending quality time with family and friends…then matriculating into dental school in the fall of 2025!
2. Such a hard question, there’s honestly too many funny memories. Scoring game winning goals is always fun, but my favorite memory would have to be watching all of the freshmen soccer players sing and dance for initiation every year. It never gets old.
3. [I] loved Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” shoutout Dr. Sarah Berry!
4.  By the time this is published our season will be over, but I hope we can continue our win streak and end the season with a win! 
5. I want my teammates to continue competing every single day, to continue getting to know each other outside of soccer and to enjoy their time left with UDWSOC–it goes by way too fast! 

Britney Zapata, Midfielder, Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas, Major: Psychology

1. Continue with the psychology masters program here at UD.
2. Making it to the conference tournament my freshman year and traveling with the girls.
3. To get to know the girls more and enjoy the time we have left with each other.
4. To always remember to work hard. Have fun while playing but also push [your]self and others around. Lastly, to enjoy every game because college ball does not last forever, sadly. 

Miriam Skinner, Midfielder, Hometown: Irving, Texas, Major: Politics

1. After graduation, I plan to spend the summer doing mission work in Honduras, and then return in the fall to apply to law school.
2. My favorite memory with the soccer team was when we stayed in San Antonio my sophomore year and went to the Pearl.
3. “Mansfield Park.”
4. I hope to finish the season strong with wins in our final week and, most importantly, to find joy in playing my last games.
5. I hope that after I graduate, my teammates will carry on their love for the game and keep pushing themselves to improve each day. I want them to remember to enjoy playing and being part of the team because these moments pass by faster than you think. I hope they hold onto what first inspired them to play and what drives them now, using that as motivation to grow into their best selves, both on and off the field.

The Women’s Soccer team plays a critical role in the culture of UD. Though their time playing for the university is coming to an end, their discipline and dedication to the sport is an inspiration to future players.