For Caroline Soucy (Beverly, Mass.), UNH has been a home away from home for the past four years. As she reflects on her time as a Wildcat, she looks back on the memories with teammates on the court and the beauty of Durham off the court. MAKING THE CHOICE TO BE A WILDCAT
"I chose to attend UNH not only because of the amazing coaches and teammates that I had met and the relationships I developed with them through the recruiting process, but because I felt so comfortable on the campus. Out of all the colleges I visited, UNH gave me the feeling of a home away from home. I knew from the moment I stepped on this campus and visited that this was going to be my second home." Caroline Soucy
Soucy is thankful that she made the choice to attend UNH and wouldn't trade it for anything.
"I can confidently say I made the right decision coming here. I couldn't see myself spending the last four years anywhere else. UNH was easily one of the best decisions I have made for myself."
UNH was a great experience for Soucy and left a lasting impact on her.
"UNH holds a special place in my heart because of the amazing friendships and relationships I have formed since being here. I met some of my best friends here not only on my team but within other sports teams as well. I have also developed such incredible relationships with my coaches that I will cherish forever. Even after I graduate, I know that the relationships and friendships I have created here at UNH will carry on into the next chapter of my life."
She had some of her best times on the basketball team with her teammates, on and off the court.
"My experience on the women's basketball team was absolutely incredible. I really don't have words to describe how grateful I am to have been a part of such an amazing program. I created so many memories with my teammates and coaches and developed an unbreakable bond. My teammates and I truthfully were together all the time, we literally saw each other every day and in that way we all became sisters. From my freshman year all the way to my senior year, there was never a dull moment and I'm forever grateful to have been a part of it." Soucy and her teammates MEMORIES FOR A LIFETIME
The most memorable moment for Soucy came in her first year.
"The most memorable moment I have as part of the team is when we won the America East Regular Season championship my freshman year in 2016-17. We had such an amazing season going 26-6 and to be awarded the regular season championship was such a special moment to share with my teammates and something we had worked so hard for." The team celebrating winning the 2016-17 America East Regular Season Championship.
A certain game that Soucy would love to go back and relive came in her final year.
"I would have to say this past year when we won at Albany. It was such a hard-fought win by the entire team. We won right at the buzzer, when Ashley Storey basically tipped the ball in and the feeling at the end of the game was amazing. We all ran into the locker room, spraying our water bottles on each other and the coaches, celebrating the win. It was just a moment of pure happiness and joy. If I could relive any game from this season, it definitely would be that one." LIFE OFF THE COURT Senior Day Soucy gained some life lessons from her time at UNH.
"One lesson that I will take away from UNH is to never take anything for granted. So often we get caught up in our own lives and the sports we play, that we forget to take a step back and realize how lucky we are. These past four years have flown by and if I could go back and relive them I would make sure to not take certain moments for granted. Now that I am at home due to COVID-19, and don't have my senior spring to spend time with my teammates and friends, it has given me a chance to reflect on my time at UNH and appreciate it that much more now that it's over. If I could give any advice to other students, it would be to never take for granted the experience that you are going through here as student-athletes. Before you know it, the four years are up and it's time to move on."
As a student-athlete balancing academics with athletics is a challenge Soucy was prepared for. Caroline Soucy
"I would say that best way that I balanced academics and athletics was time management. Scheduling time each day around practices and classes to complete my homework was huge for me. Some days were tougher than others especially when all you want to do is sleep! It definitely was tough when we were on the road during the season and missing classes here and there but communicating with my professors and going to office hours definitely helped me and made it easier for me to balance everything."
Soucy had a place in Wildcat Country that she could escape to.
"A spot on campus that is meaningful to me is at the top of the football stadium, right outside Lundholm Gymnasium, that looks out to the entire football field and beyond. I have always used that spot to clear my head when feeling overwhelmed and have seen some of the most incredible sunsets from there. It is definitely a spot I will miss next year." Caroline's favorite place on campus.
As for life after UNH, Soucy is still balancing everything out.
"I plan to get a job within the media field but have also been looking into sales as well. I am an open book, basically just taking it day by day right now and weighing out my options. Ten years down the line I hope to be a media coordinator within the sports industry."
Overall, Soucy thrived in her time at UNH both on and off the court and found a home as a Wildcat. She takes away lessons and experiences that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Please check back to UNHWildcats.com as we continue our Senior Reflections series.
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