In their last season donning the iconic white and purple UP jerseys, men’s and women’s soccer seniors bid farewell to their beloved Merlo turf and their teammates—or family, as they refer to each other. Although each player’s post-grad plans vary, they agree that they will miss each other’s company, both on and off the field, the most.
Men's Soccer
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m planning on finding a job in the field of finance, but I’m still deciding where I want to live. I grew up in Portland, but I have family in Seattle and Boston, and since Portland doesn’t have too much in the way of finance, I see myself moving to one of those cities. I love both of them, so I’m eager to start a new chapter in my life somewhere different from where I’ve grown up.
What was your proudest moment as a Pilot?
I’d say it was earning the WCC Academic Honorable Mention. I was really proud of being part of the team because it showed the balance I had to strike between academics and athletics, and the award shows I was successful in both, which is the reason I chose to come to UP. I wanted a place that had a good soccer program as well as a high-profile academic school.
What will you miss the most?
This is the last year I’ll be playing soccer at a competitive level, so it is sad that it’s coming to an end. I have always loved the game and the competitive environment it brings, so I’ll just miss being able to go out and play the game I love. Most of all, I’ll miss my teammates and my friends at the University. Even though I’m planning on moving out of town, I hope I can stay close with all of them.
What are your plans after graduation?
I don't plan on playing professionally. I'm going to pursue a career in marketing, and hopefully get a job right out of college. However, I will definitely keep playing soccer for fun because it’ll always be a big part of my life.
What was your proudest moment as a Pilot?
A: Probably scoring my first goal at the beginning of my junior year. Scoring goals is always a great feeling, but finally getting that first collegiate goal was the best feeling ever. The fact that it was on the incredible Merlo field made it that much better.
What will you miss the most?
Hanging out with the team. We've all been through a lot together and it's going to be hard not hanging out with all of them in the locker room every day. We have the closest group of guys a teammate could ask for, and it really made my experience as a Pilot that much better.
What are your plans after graduation?
Ideally I’d love to go play professionally, so right now that process looks like the coaches are reaching out to teams locally and overseas and hopefully setting me up with the opportunity to go trial for some teams. I’m open to going anywhere and gaining experience playing at a high level, so anywhere I could land would be a dream come true for me.
What was your proudest moment as a Pilot?
There’s lots of good memories, but I’d say walking out on Merlo and starting my first game as a freshman was a big deal, playing underneath the lights, and having thousands of fans there to watch you. Playing with so many great guys over the years, it’s so hard to pick just one.
What will you miss the most?
I’m gonna miss the guys the most, the locker room environment—going to work every day with your brothers and your best friends. We’ve developed all these amazing stories and family relationships with the guys that come in and out of the program, and we’re going to maintain these relationships for the rest of our lives.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on moving back to California and I’m hoping to find a job down there. I would love to work in the field of athletics and hopefully work in marketing for the San Jose Sharks hockey team.
What was your proudest moment as a Pilot?
The proudest moment I had while being a Pilot was playing in and winning the first ever game we had freshman year against OSU. It was the proudest moment for me because of all the hard work I’ve done throughout my club and high school career to get to play college soccer, and when I went in that first game, [I felt that] finally all my hard work had paid off.
What will you miss the most?
I think I’m going to miss being with the team every day. These guys are like family and I’m going to miss being around them whether that is at practice or just in the locker room before hand, its going to be pretty boring without them around. Secondly, I will miss playing in front of the fans at Merlo field. It’s given me goose bumps my whole career when I hear the Villa Drum squad so I think I'm going to miss that a lot as well.
Women’s Soccer
What are your plans after graduation?
So far what my plan is shaping up to be is me staying here, whether that means applying to grad school or looking for a job. All of my resources and all of my friends are here, so staying here seems to be the best place for me.
What was your proudest moment as a Pilot?
When we all play collectively there are smiles on everybody’s faces and it’s really enjoyable—so when I’m able to contribute to that, and we’re all playing well, and it’s all coming together with everyone having a good time at halftime—to me, that just embodies Portland soccer. So if I’m able to contribute to that, I did a good job, so every time that’s happened over the last four years has been a proud moment. If my team is happy, then I’m happy.
What will you miss the most?
The community. Traditionally, UP has had a really strong soccer following, and having professors and students rally behind you is not something I think any other school can embody as well. They might try to, but UP will always be the best at it. I’ll miss the fans, and being on Merlo.
What are your plans after graduation?
Currently, my plans are to stay in Portland. I’m going to apply to three different grad schools. I’m actually planning to live with Bekah!
What was your proudest moment as a Pilot?
My proudest moments are always at the end of every season. Even though we never won a national championship, each of us was still able to say that we were proud of what we did and proud of being in a team together. We felt we had won in so many other ways besides a national championship.
What will you miss the most?
One, just playing on Merlo and playing in general since I’m done playing soccer. And second, the locker room—having all those times before and after games, messing around and being a family.
Emily Sippel, Forward/Midfielder
What are your plans after graduation?
Nothing’s set right now, but since I actually graduate in December, so I’ll hopefully get a job and apply to medical school in the upcoming spring. I’d like to get a scribe position or something like that and then take the MCAT.
What was your proudest moment as a Pilot?
I always have proud moments at Merlo, but last year when we played at Stanford, which is always a big game, I ended up scoring within the first ten minutes. My extended family was there, and the Villa Drum Squad had come down, so although it wasn’t at home, it was a cool moment to have down there.
What will you miss the most?
The team. We just have really great relationships and have a lot of fun together, so just being around them every day.
