“Notes From the Field” with Erin Matson on Chapelboro.com is proudly presented by Chapel Hill Tire.
Erin Matson is a Tar Heel, world-class athlete, team player and champion. Here, in “Notes From the Field,” she’ll be sharing some of her thoughts in an ongoing series set to cover anything and everything on her mind. You can find the full series so far here, on Chapelboro.
There’s nothing quite like your arms becoming sore from holding a trophy for too long.
“C’mon Mom, only one more quick picture; my arms are getting tired!”
Wait, did I just say that…?!
“Alright, I call dibs on taking pics with it next.” “Sorry, I already called it – You can have it after me!”
Alright, I guess there are worse things to have to wait for.
Honestly, there’s nothing quite like watching the final seconds on the clock count down when you’ve secured a championship win. Trying to hold in your excitement even though you know “it’s not over till it’s over” doesn’t necessarily pertain to 00:03 seconds left when your team has possession on the opposite end of the field. Finding whoever is closest to you to hug and jump up-and-down with before joining the rest of the team. Seeing the amazement, shock, and joy in the eyes of the Freshmen who are experiencing this celebration for the first time. Being handed a trophy bigger and heavier than any of the pictures you stared at as a kid could depict.
This past weekend was another one to remember. This season has had a lot of those. I feel like it’s the case every time I’m here talking to you guys!
The girls and I worked our butts off, brought UNCFH’s 25th ACC Championship home to Chapel Hill, and celebrated with our friends and families. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it was nice playing at Dook since it was the closest thing to a home game that we were going to get. (Hopefully, you somewhat get my humor by now.)
Heading into the weekend, even with a championship on the line and high-pressure situations left and right, it was just like any other point in the season.
We had a game to win before we could think about what comes next. And it was another opportunity for us to apply what we’ve been working on together and do what we love. Nothin’ crazy.
Okay, sure, it was nearly impossible to stifle the memories of the prior years’ celebratory hugs and happy tears and post-game photoshoots. But (1) if you know how to manage those thoughts, (2) accept that they’re intangible and currently non-existent, and (3) use them as motivation to earn those feelings again, I personally don’t see an issue with that.
We knew what we needed to do, who we needed to look out for, and how we wanted to represent Carolina Field Hockey out on that field. We had a game plan and were on the same page on how we were going to execute it. There was a common goal and no room for any of us to allow anything to get in the way of that.
Just another weekend.
High-pressure situations? We train them, so we’re confident when we’re in them.
Being comfortable with the uncomfortable? We embrace it. Being uncomfortable means growth.
Unbearable nerves? Maybe anxious, but not nervous. We train way too hard and way too much to not trust in our preparation.
Championship on the line? Just another chance to simply do our jobs.
I believe most championships and big-moments aren’t won with grand gestures or miracles or stuff that makes the crowd go “ooo”. Usually, it’s the stuff the crowd doesn’t notice. The parts of the game that allow for the memorable moments to happen.
The extra lead that opens up space for a shot. Finding a way to communicate when your lungs are screaming, “I can’t.” The Point-To-The-Passer when your teammate makes you look good. The fifty-yard recovery sprint you see your midfielder making so your defender’s job is easier. Understanding and executing that balance of relentless composure. Doing your job – nothing more, nothing less – and doing it well.
Chances are, you won’t remember those moments. Because they’re boring, rudimental, and often forgotten. That’s okay, and they’re okay with not getting the attention. But that doesn’t mean they stop. They are the reason you can remember the replay-worthy goals, sick eliminations, big-time defensive saves, and post-game celebratory hugs, happy tears, and photoshoots.
Just another lead.
Just another relay of directions.
Just another recovery sprint.
There’s something about postseason being this grandiose ordeal. Something about having to earn another game. Something that makes certain people get worked up and nervous and gives them an excuse to get lost in their emotions. Something about that trophy and title being so close yet so far away, the fear of it all slipping through your fingers.
But in fact, we have just another game, folks. That’s all. Our next game, the most important one of the season because it’s the next one. Goodbye, 2022 ACC Championship weekend. You were great, and now, you’re just a memory.
We’ll keep doing the things that you won’t notice. We notice them, and that’s all that matters. And they give us the chance to notice even more things you won’t.
Like the extra long hug you hold a teammate in, not feeling the need to say any words, automatically understanding how proud you are of each other. Or the string of clicks a camera makes when the photographer is trying to capture every moment for you. Or how the cold, smooth base of a trophy feels when you first touch it after an adrenaline-filled game.
We’ll take the unnoticeable moments and remember them forever. But those aren’t the memories we want. The trophy we were holding up this weekend isn’t the one we truly care about. A satisfying weekend for some didn’t satisfy us.
So I challenge you to try and notice more. What are you going to pick up on this coming weekend?
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
