Kansan File Photo

Meghan Miller, senior goalkeeper (No. 1), Rachel Gilfillan, senior forward (right of Miller), and Monica Brothers, senior forward (No. 11), celebrate after winning the the Big 12 Conference Championship last October. Miller, Gilfillan and Brothers, along with four other seniors, were part of the most successful class in KU women’s soccer history and will go their separate ways after graduation this spring.

For a team to be successful in college athletics, it needs to have senior leadership. This year’s Jayhawk soccer team had plenty of that. The seven seniors led the Jayhawks to their most successful season in school history with an 18-5-0 record and a Big 12 Championship.

Since their arrival in 2001, these seniors have helped to lead their team to new heights and records for the University. During their first season in 2001, the Jayhawks set a school record for having the best record in school history, a 13-7-0 mark. They made their first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Following that impressive season in 2002, the then-sophomores helped lead their team to a 6-1-1 start, which was the best start ever for the Jayhawks at the time. In 2003, the girls marked the Jayhawks’ first victory over Big 12 conference-rival Nebraska. They also beat Big-12 foe Missouri twice that season, both times in Columbia, Mo.

To conclude the 2003 season, they led the Jayhawks to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. This past season topped it all off for the seniors when the team beat Iowa State on Oct. 29 and clinched the Big 12 Championship.

Senior Meghan Miller said the championship was the most memorable event of the season.

“I think the moment that I will remember most was winning the Big 12 championship,” Miller said.

For most of the seniors, this season was the last time they would be able to play organized soccer.

Senior Gabriela Quiggle knows that the opportunities to play soccer after graduation are slim.

“There are not too many opportunities to play soccer elsewhere seeing as there is no pro league,” Quiggle said. “I have flirted with the idea of playing overseas, but finishing school right now is my main priority.”

Now all that is left for these seniors is memories of the past four years. Senior Monica Brothers says the off-field memories of this season will stay with her forever.

“Rachel Gilfillan would always do a ‘routine’ before every Sunday game,” Brothers said. “It was the last game we played against Nebraska, she was in the locker room, doing her ‘routine,’ and when it was over she tried to make a good exit and she dove into a cart and flipped over and fell hard. Every single player was on the ground laughing.”

One of senior Stacey Leeper’s lasting memories was from a game this season.

“My favorite memory from the year is beating A&M;, basically securing at least a share of the conference title,” Leeper said of the team’s 1-0 victory against Texas A&M.;

Whether it is memories from off the field or on the field, the seniors will not forget their time spent as a part of Jayhawk soccer. For Miller, Jayhawk soccer has become important enough to her that she plans to be back next season.

“I am helping coach the Jayhawks this spring and next year because coaching is something that I want to give serious thought to.”

Quiggle said she felt that the team’s success made it easier to say goodbye.

“This was a great season to end on for the seven of us,” she said.

Four years ago Brothers, Leeper, Miller, Amy Geha, Quiggle, Gilfillan and Lauren Williams started their journey with the Jayhawk soccer program, and they now leave a legacy at the University of Kansas that can’t be forgotten. Leeper said the turnaround in Jayhawk soccer is one she will never forget.

“It is a great feeling to know that we were a part of turning a program completely around. It is a great accomplishment that I will remember for a lifetime,” Leeper said.