Indiana University Athletics
IU Seniors Excited For Program’s Future
10/30/2015 9:44:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The disappointment was clear as Purdue celebrated with the Boot at midfield. The Indiana seniors found comfort in hugs from teammates, embracing the underclassmen who thanked them one last time.
In the team's final huddle, head coach Amy Berbary took time to reflect on her seniors' careers—anything to lighten the mood. She thanked them for their work and recognized what they've accomplished over their Indiana careers. She didn't want the cruelness of a home loss to overshadow her seniors' final moment at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
Even in defeat, Bujouves smiled. No tears. Just pride.
"The weird thing is, as we were standing in that circle, although I was sad we lost, I'm really excited," she said. "This is going to sound so weird—I'm excited for the future of these girls. I don't feel like I'm necessarily leaving Indiana soccer."
Indiana's final game featured the same frustrations that have plagued the program all season.
The Hoosiers fell behind early, conceding a goal in the seventh minute when senior keeper Sarah Stone lost her footing trying to make a diving save. Offensively, Indiana couldn't take advantage of scoring opportunities, most notably failing to convert on an open header in the 80th minute of a 1-0 game before conceding a penalty three minutes later with a hand ball in the box to finalize the 2-0 final.
It was a frustrating end to an oftentimes frustrating season plagued by injuries and a few too many missed chances. But as Stone glanced around at her teammates after the game, she was more optimistic than sad.
"It's hard realizing everything," Stone said. "A lot of emotions. Just knowing that the program is going up and looking around and seeing all these young girls that you know are going to improve so much and help the program was an awesome feeling. It's hard to realize it's all over."
Over, but only as a player.
"I'm never going to put on the jersey again," Bujouves said, "but I'm sure going to follow."
That sense of optimism impressed Berbary, who said her players handled the adversities of 2015 better than she did. Never once did she have to tell her seniors to pick their heads up or to stop feeling sorry for themselves.
Even after allowing a backbreaking goal to the Boilermakers to all but guarantee a loss, Indiana immediately looked for a response. That's just the way her seniors played.
"It's unbelievable," Berbary said. "They've really been through so many ups and downs and been such good examples of people, and I know that sounds weird, but they have really showed those younger kids how to act properly on the field and off the field. I think we'll reap the benefits of that in the future."
The future, Berbary insists, is bright. And not just because of the players currently on the roster, Berbary said, but because of the ones who walked off Jerry Yeagley Field one last time Wednesday night.
But before walking away for good, Bujouves hugged sophomore forward Mykayla Brown—who's year ended on an injury before the season even began—and offered one final piece of instruction. More of a challenge, actually.
"You better score against them next year," Bujouves told Brown.
Sound advice from a program alumna.
