Calumet of St. Joseph’s College Crimson Wave Women’s Soccer forfeited their third game this season on Sept. 25, this time against the Trinity International University (TIU) Trojans. The Crimson Wave, 0-12, are battling a variety of injuries in addition to a slim roster this season.
Despite the forfeit, TIU Women’s Soccer traveled to Indiana for a combined training session with Calumet to encourage them and show them love. Led by the inspiration of Athletic Director and Coach Patrick Gilliam, the women’s soccer team desires to be others’ focused this year, and not just an ideal set aside for the off-season, but a mindset lived out during the predictable, and unpredictable, demands of the Fall.
The decision to go was made by the Trojans via a 36-party conference call at 10:45 p.m. the night before. Typical teams would have used the forfeit as an opportunity to go scout other league matches and be better prepared for future opponents. Robert Morris College and Trinity Christian College, both top teams in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC), had games the same evening.
“Success in soccer is not the most import thing,” said Gilliam. “The most important thing is how when we see somebody in need we reach out and minister to that need.”
On Tuesday afternoon, 30 TIU women’s soccer players joined seven Calumet players, traded names and training t-shirts, and a cheer. The teams ran sprints, performed a Dutch passing sequence, a shooting drill and competed in a full-field 11 v. 11 scrimmage under the leadership of a combined coaching staff.
Lightning and thunderstorms emerged from a clear sky, and although the blinding wind and heavy rainfall made training all the more difficult, it made it all the more exciting and energetic.
“I have to say you are a classy bunch of ladies,” said Calumet of St. Joseph’s College Head Women’s Soccer Coach Emily King to the Trojans in a the post-practice huddle. This is King’s first year at Calumet. She graduated in 2006 from Valparaiso University where she played soccer for four years.
When the training time expired and the rain did not, the group huddled as one, hands in, and on a three-count shouted “unity.” The players stripped off their soaked shirts, shorts, shoes and socks, and took refuge in a gym to eat pizza and fellowship.
Coach Gilliam, reflecting on a time when he coached a high school team that had similar injury and roster setbacks to Calumet, prayed aloud for Coach Emily and her developing program. The Trojans didn’t plan to engage in direct evangelism that afternoon, but trusted that if they were hearers and doers of the Word, the Holy Spirit would do His work.
“Hopefully along the way they ask ‘what’s inside of people that makes them give up their afternoon to drive down here and do it joyfully and excitedly’,” said Gilliam.
The teams have continued contact through Facebook, an online social utility.
“We had a lot of fun and enjoyed you guys coming out,” wrote Calumet women’s soccer player Jorie Arnold in a Facebook message. “It lifted our spirits… We thank you very much!”
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