Members of the Santa Rosa Junior College women’s soccer team, past and present, met to celebrate the program in the annual alumni game Oct. 6.
The current and alumni teams faced off in an exhibition match comprising two 30-minute halves as opposed to the standard 45. Slide tackling was prohibited to prevent injury.
The match was a celebration of the history and traditions of the team, traditions that continue this year as the current team is in the midst of a dominant 8-1-1 season and looking to compete for a state championship.
Former players arrived at the soccer field where the current team was already warming up. Friends and family flocked towards the shaded stands as the women went through three 10 minute rotations for warm-ups. The heat radiated before the game even began but that did not stop these Bear Cubs.
“I can tell you that my heart is full,” said head coach Crystal Chaidez. “It’s exciting. To not have [the alumni game] for three years because of the pandemic to have everyone come back to our home field just for soccer — men’s and women’s. It’s really cool to have them kind of come back and feel that culture.”
Jessica Harrow, who played as a holding midfielder in the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 seasons, reflected on the game and the program.
“I really felt like it kind of brought the community together because obviously the JC isn’t as big as a regular college, but you still get that community because we all live in the same area — the same county typically and I just feel like it builds a long lasting relationship. I played growing up and I still talk to all the people that I’ve played with,it just builds lifelong connections and relationships, really boosts your morale, you have all these supporters with you,” she said.
When asked about what advice she would give to the current roster, Taylor Brogden, goalkeeper from 2020-2023 said, “Hold on to every moment that you make. It goes by fast and I don’t regret a single thing and I don’t want anyone else to regret anything. Enjoy every moment and just take every last bit.”
As the heat intensified, the alumni game came to a close with many hugs and long goodbyes before a handful of the players and their families congregated over to a nearby restaurant to continue the celebration. As alumni games are hosted again, those who move on from the current roster this year will have a chance to play as alumni come next season.
