Brenna's Thoughts On the D-3 Final Four

I know. I know. I haven't written much here lately. Too much work on the house, which has been under construction in one form or another for the better part of two years.

Anyway, the NCAA tournament is upon us and I am happy to say that seven women from the Medford Strikers Xtreme played for four colleges in the tournament: four at Rowan, one at Virginia Wesleyan and one at The College of New Jersey in Division III, and one at Bloomsburg in D-2.

Now, after the first weekend of the tournament, only one is still playing. That would be Brenna Rubino, who had a banner year at TCNJ. While Rowan lost, 4-0 to Messiah in the 2nd round, Bloomsburg, 2-0 to West Chester in the 2nd round, and Virginia Wesleyan, 1-0 to Hamilton in the first round, the Lions roared past Christopher Newport, 4-0 and Ithaca, 3-0, to advance to this weekend's Sweet 16 match-up with Johns Hopkins at Messiah College. Brenna, the team's leading scorer, picked up a goal and two assists in the two matches.

With TCNJ aiming for another trip to the D-3 College Cup, it seemed like a good time to print Brenna's account of last year's journey to San Antonio where TCNJ lost, 1-0, to eventual champion Messiah in the national semi-final. The goal came with 24:24 left to play and was the only score the Lions' defense allowed the entire tournament.

Here's what Brenna wrote last year after returning to New Jersey following the heartbreaking defeat. The words are hers, although I've edited a bit to clean up some typos.

The experience of going to the NCAAs was awesome and unforgettable. From the first plane ride leaving NY to the last plane ride heading home, the trip was amazing. I feel so blessed to have been able to experience that amazing opportunity.

There were lots of different events that we went to as a team that the NCAA set up for us. They financed our air fare and lodging and some of our meals. However, TCNJ is lucky enough to afford to go out to the nice restaurants as a team in the surrounding beautiful city of San Antonio.

The hotel we stayed was the Menger, which is conveniently located right next to the Alamo. Each team got the opportunity to get their picture taken in front of the Alamo professionally and each player received a copy which was an awesome gift.

There was a final four banquet where head NCAA members were recognized and one player from each of the four women’s teams and men’s teams gave speeches and discussed their team.

After the banquet each team got their own boat and was able to experience what is known as the “Riverwalk.” It’s a huge tourist attraction there in San Antonio which is partially a man made river with lots of beautiful restaurants, shops, and buildings located along the water.

We were given a police escort from the hotel to the field for each prctice to ensure that we arrived on time. We felt like celebrities. Ha ha.

We got the opportunity of reaching out to their female youth soccer players from an inner city middle school where some aren't handed opportunities to go to college like we are. We got to play with the young and talk with them about the importance of prioritizing school and sports as well as friends family and coaches. As a result they came to the game and cheered us on.

Before each team’s first game we were able to do a walk through on the field and take pictures by all the signs which by the way was grass and was immaculately kept. On top of all of this each player on the team received a really nice book bag free with lots of cool NCAA stuff.

When it came to game time each team was allotted its own tent area which was heated due to the unusually inclement weather in San Antonio. The game started and ended like any other game would but the level of play was just amazing to see on both sides. Each team was displaying its peak performance and the game was clean, tough, fair, and highly skilled.

Even though my team happened to lose on a tough goal we each received an individual semi finalist trophy and as a team we received a big trophy. Being there and getting a taste of what its really like to be there gives each player on our team the motivation to work even harder in the off season and during the following season to make sure we get another shot at it next year.

For TCNJ not making it to the final and winning the championship was a disappointment because each year that is our number one goal. I don’t doubt that TCNJ can get back there next year and win it all.

Overall, the road to San Antonio was rough and tiring with all the traveling and long weekends but it was all worth it in the end to be there and be apart of something great. I feel so blessed to have just been able to contribute and be apart of a team that was able to make it to the final four. It was an amazing experience as a team and as an individual even outside of just practicing and playing the game. I pray that TCNJ gets the chance to go back there next year.