The importance of having that Extra something.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Before each game, I always have a Jolly Rancher in the locker room\u2014whatever flavor I pull out of the bag. I also write the name of my late cousin, Ian, on one wrist and a bible verse or \u201cGlory to God\u201d on the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During warmups, I chew a piece of Extra Spearmint gum. I throw that out and have new piece at the start of the game and then a fresh piece for the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I never ran out of gum at Monmouth, but one time before a club soccer game, I forgot to bring any. My coach\u2019s wife ran over to the bleachers and luckily found a parent who had Extra Spearmint! Crisis avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Music for the mindset.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
What I listen to on game days varies. I like Kelly Clarkson and the Fray, but I\u2019m more into lyrics that inspire me before competition. One song I always listen to though is \u201cThis I Believe\u201d by Hillsong Worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pitch-perfect experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s been an amazing experience to form friendships with so many teammates. Your team is your immediate family on campus, but we have a much larger family of Monmouth student-athletes as well. I was able to connect with so many teams and athletes from different backgrounds. All fellow Hawks come out to games and support each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silence can be deadly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
My parents were both athletes, and some of the best advice they gave me was that if a coach stops correcting you, it\u2019s time to worry. When I was younger, I would get frustrated when coaches were critical of my play, but it\u2019s really a sign that they feel I have the potential to be a better player. When a coach stops correcting your mistakes, they probably believe you\u2019ve reached your plateau and will focus their attention elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can also be golden.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
I can get pretty upset after a loss. My boyfriend reads me well and knows to just agree with me until I have time to cool off. He was a football player, so he understands the competitive side and knows that silence immediately after a loss can be a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A real-life superhero.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
If I could choose one person to hang out with for a night, it would be Ian. Growing up, he was my hero. Ian was a little older than me, and I remember when I was about 5 years old, he came to my sister\u2019s soccer game. He knew he had to leave early and that I would get upset about it. But he also knew I was a big Marvel fan. So, he wore a Spider Man suit under his clothes and when it was time for him to leave, he left in costume and said he needed to go save the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just for kicks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
When I\u2019m not playing soccer, I like watching sunrises and sunsets, hiking, and stargazing. And I love to cook and bake. My apple pie is the best. I slice the apples super thin and make it with cinnamon. It\u2019s really<\/em> good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being all she can be.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve had issues with my ankle and tore my ACL playing soccer. Experiencing the atmosphere of physical therapy (PT) has inspired me to pursue it as a profession. My uncle recently retired as a four-star general and told me about a PT program offered by the Army. I\u2019m currently in the application process and hope join their Doctor of Physical Therapy program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passing the Torch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n There was one other ritual that Coach (Kylee) Flynn and I had since my freshman year. When we huddled on the sideline before taking the field, Coach Flynn always had to put her arm on my shoulder. My sister Charlee is coming to Monmouth to play next season, so maybe she\u2019ll continue the tradition with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Maddison Perna reflects on her Monmouth soccer journey and what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":20138,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"image_focus":"{\"x\":42,\"y\":26}","hide_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[94],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-athletics"],"thumbnail":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/Maddison_Perna_11_v2-225x300.jpg\")
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