Women’s Soccer Team Excels On and Off the Field

With an overall record of 8-4-2 and a current second place Horizon League record of 4-1, the UWM Women’s Soccer team is gearing up for another run at the playoffs and a Horizon League title. After a disappointing end to the season last year, the team put in extra work that has already paid off during this season. However, for a few members of the team, their participation in the sport is not all of what defines them.

Cassidy Blanchard, Erin Corrigan, Madeline Tetzke, and Anny West are also members of the Honors College. Although the Honors College is a voluntary program, these women have decided to challenge themselves both on the field and academically.

Tetzke describes her experience by stating, “Being a student athlete does create a very busy schedule with balancing traveling, practices and games with academics. However, I have found having a structured schedule has taught me to be productive and make use of all the time I am given.” In addition, West describes her relationship with her Honors professors in an incredibly positive light. “The relationships I have had with my professors in the Honors College are so much more meaningful and impactful than in my other UWM courses, and they are usually extremely supportive of my being a student-athlete.”

Yet the care of the professors is not the only support these women get. Having older teammates is also invaluable. As Corrigan explains, “Having older teammates who have experienced exactly what you are going through is absolutely amazing. I have gotten the best advice about dealing with hard classes, handling busy times in soccer, and just balancing the college life as a whole from my teammates.”

With a focus in critical thinking, the Honors College philosophy makes students think differently about the world around them. As Corrigan explains, “My essay writing skills have improved drastically from taking courses through the Honors College. I love the wide variety of classes the Honors College offers. I have learned so many things from my Honors College classes that I wouldn’t be able to learn in any other offered course at UWM.” Tetzke continues by saying, “Because [the classes] are mainly reading, writing and discussion, the work outside of class is extremely different than most of my other classes. I enjoy reading about new topics as well as learning from other students’ experiences and interpretations. I feel as if the classes I have taken in the Honors College have expanded my worldview and general education base.” 

Being a student athlete has given these women a unique perspective on their time in college. As upperclassmen they are now transitioning to the important responsibility of being a role model for the two new Honors College freshmen, Gabby Schwartz and Caroline Serkaian. “I enjoy mentoring the younger teammates and it’s exciting because they are the future of the team,” says Blanchard. Corrigan continues by saying, “Now that I’m an upperclassmen, I love giving advice to the youngsters! I really enjoy sharing with the freshman, especially those in Honors, what I have learned from my college experience.”

As the season rolls on in search of a long playoff run, the UWM community should feel confident knowing that the stars of their women’s soccer team are continuing the proud legacy of achievement in the Honors College.