University of Minnesota Athletics
Final Home Game For Soccer Seniors
11/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sara Clancy and Dana Tripp will play their final regular season game as Golden Gophers on Friday, Nov. 6 when Minnesota hosts Indiana. It's only fitting that the game will be played at home, at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, the site of so much success for this pair of seniors and the Golden Gophers in their careers.
The pair came to Minnesota after stellar high school careers. They were each heralded as top-100 recruits nationally and were part of a highly regarded recruiting class. Now as seniors, and as some of the most experienced members of the Gopher team, they will leave as the only senior class to post four winning records at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, mounting a 28-9-3 record at The Robbie in that span.
In their final season, they have led the Gophers to a third straight winning record, and a second straight season of double-digit wins, with 11 on the year. The accomplishments of their last three years are made even sweeter when looking at the start to the tenures of Clancy and Tripp. When asked if their career were a song title, what would it be? Clancy and Tripp answered "Look How Far We've Come" and "Don't Stop Believing" respectively. And, how apropos those answers are when looking back.
The Gophers were 8-9-2 in 2006 with a 1-8-1 mark in the Big Ten. However, just one season later they were improved to 9-8-2, which included a 5-5-0 record Big Ten play. Clancy and Tripp each saw time in the starting line-up in 2007 to help spur the turn around.
When asked about the most memorable moment in their careers, each point back to that 2007 season. The moment, a home game against No. 8 ranked Penn State. The outcome, a 1-0 win in overtime. The Nittany Lions entered the game having won 11 straight against the Gophers. Minnesota's win broke the streak and stood as they only blemish to Penn State's Big Ten record in 2007. The game remains one of the biggest in program history, as that Nittany Lion team is still the highest ranked opponent ever beaten by the Golden Gophers.
As memorable as that moment is, no Golden Gopher soccer fan will ever forget the return to glory and whirlwind season of 2008. In their junior campaign, Clancy, Tripp and the Gophers reached new heights with their first Big Ten title since the 1997 season, and the programs third overall.
More than on the field though, the personal growth of these two players is more important than any number or stat. "I have definitely grown up a lot over the past four years," Clancy said. "When I came to college, I was a little shy. Now I feel more outgoing and willing to try new things and create new experiences."
A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Clancy made an immediate impact in her rookie campaign as the only freshman to appear in all 19 games in the 2006 season. She was a starter in 15 of those matches, and registered her first career goal by scoring the game-winner in a late season overtime victory versus the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City.
In her career, Clancy has appeared in 62 total games, making her one of the most experienced members of the Golden Gopher squad. As a junior last season she appeared in a career high 21 contests and opened the season with a career game against Northern Iowa. Clancy added the final two goals in a 5-0 rout to open the season. The two goals and four points each remain single game highs. In her final season she has added two more goals, including the game-winner for her first goal of the season in the 4-0 win over North Dakota State.
When summing up her career Clancy said, "It's definitely been a great experience, and an experience that not everyone can say they had being a college athlete. Meeting people throughout the years and meeting your best friends in college. It's been fun and it's been a challenge, it's been humbling, just been a great overall experience. "
"It may not be the most glamorous, but definitely the most fun, on and off the field," Tripp said if her career. "I'm still a goof ball but have learned to become a more considerate person."
She came to the University of Minnesota from nearby White Bear Lake High School. After a prep career that saw her named Minnesota's Ms. Soccer as a senior, she began her collegiate career earning time on a defense that pitched six shutouts. The following season she earned her first career start, but after three seasons on the back line she moved to the front line as a senior. In 2009 Tripp has aided a Gopher attack that ranks among the Big Ten leaders in every offensive category.
She got herself in the scorebook with a goal in the early-season win over Nevada in the Minnesota Gold Classic. There, the new forward knocked in her first career goal, a score that would go on to stand as the eventual game-winner. She was back in the scoring mix again later in the season adding a goal in the 9-0 win over South Dakota, a game that is still the best offensive performance in the Big Ten this season.
"I've met some of the greatest, coolest, nicest girls on this team," Tripp said. "That's what I'll probably take away the most is my friendships I've made. I have made friendships that will last forever."
With a whole future in front of them they are set to join a new class as proud alumni of Golden Gopher Soccer. Exceptional student-athletes, they will each leave the University this spring as graduates. Clancy is the owner of a 3.72 grade point average and will earn her degree in Elementary Education, while Tripp holds a 3.50 grade point average and is set to earn her diploma in journalism.
And as for advice to their teammates who all-to-soon will be in their position. Clancy said, "Don't take anything for granted, don't take your teammates for granted, you never know when it could be your last game."
Tripp added, "Don't give up, and play for your team. It's so much more fun playing for your team. Play for the girls around you."
One last time at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, the Golden Gophers will rally around, and play for their seniors. Senior Night is set for Nov. 6, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m.
