December 17, 2017

Behind the Scenes: Eagles created everlasting memories in Kansas City

JEFFERSON CITY, TENN. – Two weeks removed from the National Championship for Carson-Newman women’s soccer, there has been plenty of time to reflect on the 2017 year for Simon Duffy’s staff and his players.

JEFFERSON CITY, TENN. – Two weeks removed from the National Championship for Carson-Newman women's soccer, there has been plenty of time to reflect on the 2017 year for Simon Duffy's staff and his players.

Despite the only loss of the season coming at the hands of Central Missouri in penalty kicks, the trip to Kansas City, Missouri was a special one. For seniors Helen Seed and Lauren Wade, it would be their last hoorah in an Eagles uniform.

"I thought it was an amazing experience and a trip that I will never forget," Wade mentioned. "Even though the game didn't go our way, what an experience to play in the National Final. It was a proud moment for everyone involved and it was a fantastic trip organized by the NCAA. The way we were treated was top class."

"It was an incredible experience going to Kansas City," Seed added. "Looking back after my freshman year, I never thought I'd be in a National Final my senior season! It was great traveling with the girls and being in that environment is something I will probably never experience again.

"I think what made it special was the fact that we had fans travel all that way and my family was able to be there too. Just super proud of the team and what we have achieved this year."

For the coaching staff, the loss will still sting for a while, but they couldn't be more proud of what they accomplished on and off the field this season.

"The trip to the national tournament was an exciting one all the way around," Bryan Walker said. "It made for a very special experience for everyone involved. The banquet and tour of the Sporting KC stadium was an especially nice touch for the players.

"Making it to the National Final is special and not something to be taken for granted. At the same time, that is what we have set out as the expectation and goal for this program. The girls were completely professional all weekend, as they have been all season, and I think that that was a big reason for our success this year. Obviously we are disappointing that we didn't win it all but I couldn't be more proud of how this group battled and stuck together through everything."

"I thought the whole experience was very professional," Julianne Herrity explained. "It was an unforgettable one for me and for the team. From flying together to being picked up by the buses and being escorted by police, it was all enjoyable to be around. The morning we spent at the elementary school was definitely special and seeing how happy we being there made the kids was something special."

The 2017 campaign topped numerous school and conference records during its 23-game run.

21 wins is the most in program history beating the previous record of 20 in 2009.
National ranking of No. 2 is the highest the program has ever been since 2004 when they were No. 3
31 awards since the end of the regular season is the most in program history. 19 was the previous high.
22-consecutive games unbeaten tops a previous program record that sat at 12-games from the 2009 and 2015 seasons.
First team in women's athletics at C-N to make it to the National Final.
First team in South Atlantic Conference women's athletics to make it to the National Final.
Only team in SAC history to win three consecutive regular season and tournament titles in the same span.
C-N was the only team in South Atlantic Conference history to finish regular season and conference tournament unbeaten.
The only team in program history to finish regular season and conference tournament unbeaten.
2017 is the only year two Eagles were named All-Americans in the same year (Seed, Wade).
Six clean sheets in a row from Oct. 7 to Oct. 31 is a new school record.
Most wins under a first-year head coach in program history
The team only trailed for a total of 42:44 out of a possible 2112 minutes.
Remained unbeaten at McCown Field for the second-consecutive season. Have not lost at home since Sept. 11, 2015 against Ohio Dominican.