Whitney Piendak - Midfielder; Southlake, TX 2003 - 2007
	2006 NSCAA All-American 4 time 1st Team All-ASC 2 time NSCAA Adidas All-Region 2 time ASC All-Tournament Team Team MVP 2006 and 2007 Set ASC record with 30 goals and 13 assists in 2007

Playing soccer for four years and graduating from Hardin Simmons University is bitter/sweet.  Bitter, because I will miss my teammates, my coaches, playing competitive soccer, HSU and even Abilene, TX.  Sweet, because I had the best four years of my life. 

I moved to Texas when I was 16, having grown up on the east coast.  I grew up in a small town in New Jersey, just outside New York City, as a true “Jersey Girl.”  While Abilene, TX is not New York City for shopping, it is a great place to live and has a lot to offer as a community and in southwestern culture.  While a little girl in NJ, I dreamed of playing soccer in college, winning championships, scoring lots of goals and assists, being a contributor and leader on the team.  All my dreams and goals were exceeded during my four years of playing soccer at HSU.

Getting back to my career at Hardin Simmons University…let me just start off by saying four conference championships, (not Tiffany’s, but very nice rings, not bought but earned), two sweet 16 appearances, an elite 8 appearance, trips to Virginia, Seattle, Louisiana, Mississippi, Chicago, Holland and Germany.  In my senior year I became an All American and had the honor of playing with 3 other All Americans throughout my career, along with 7 All Region players, and countless number of All Conference players and with their help I was able to set conference and team records.  Not only is Hardin Simmons Women’s Soccer an amazing team to be a part of and always full of great talent, but they are the most hard working, motivated, driven and competitive group of girls. 

What made a big difference for me at HSU was Coach Marcus Wood.  From the moment he started recruiting me, I knew I would like him, but I didn’t know how much I would come to respect him and learn to become a better soccer player and prepare me for a life after and a career.  As soon as I met Coach Wood, I soon realized what a dedicated and determined coach he is.  Having good and bad coaches in the past, I can honestly say Woody is the best and showed me a whole different side of soccer.  He not only has the will and the drive, but he has the heart and true love for the game, as I do.  Watching how long and hard he studies the game, the players, the footage, techniques, formation, he just isn’t satisfied until you feel comfortable enough to go out there and get the job done.  Woody pushes you as an individual, but he makes certain you always play together as a team.  This sense of competition and hard work is what I enjoyed.  I loved being pushed to my limits; I loved that feeling before every game knowing I was going to leave everything I had on the field.  Coach Wood is not only an amazing, dedicated coach, but he dedicates himself to the team, to his players and he is there for you all year round.

The hard work and dedication comes from the team and support of its great leaders.  The Cowgirls always have leaders on the team because Woody challenges his players to take responsibility, not only for themselves, but also for their fellow teammates.  What we went through every season was not just hard work and very competitive soccer, but we also faced adversity and tough challenges, which will better prepare us to face difficulties in life.  At HSU, you will be taught values and to set goals for yourself and together.  You will also be taught steps to achieve these goals.  We were so successful over the last four years, not only due to talent, but due to hard work.  The HSU Women’s Soccer team is a real family, not just a bunch of players, but a family I will have forever.  This family includes the parents, fans, faculty and staff.  The school is so supportive of our games and sticks with us through thick and thin.  You walk to class and your fellow students and professors know who you are, how the game went and what you did during the game.  The soccer parents are the most dedicated fans I have ever been around.  Whether it was before, during, or after the game, or whether in Abilene, Louisiana, Mississippi, or even Seattle, the parents weren’t just there, they were there with bells on, horns and signs cheering as loud as they possibly could.  This team, not only has the thickest bond I have ever been a part of, but anyone that has ever been a part of the team, knows there is a bond that will be there forever. 

Hardin Simmons University is a winning school with a winning women’s soccer team.  We never take losing lightly at all and if it does happen, you are all going to study why and work until it’s figured out.  HSU Women’s Soccer sets goals high and the expectation is to do whatever it takes to meet those goals.  Winning anything is always a good feeling, but winning four consecutive conference championships is an amazing feeling that not many people will ever get to experience.  It was more than I ever imagined and dreamed I could have ever been a part of.  For those of you who may be recruits, feel free to contact me at any time as I would love to tell you more about my experience at HSU and all of the wonderful things the school, team and coach have to offer.  Coming and being a part of this team is one of the greatest things I have ever gotten to experience and the Hardin Simmons Cowgirls will live in me forever!!!