Student teachers get more than they bargain for. I thought I was prepared for wild sixth-graders, crazy eighth-graders or lessons on life from middle schoolers. I was not. My curriculum at Western prepared me to teach students about volleyball and soccer. But it didn’t prepare me to handle 40 kids on half of a basketball court while 40 more screamed on the other half.

It took some time, but fifth-year senior midfielder Christi Banas is emerging as a leader this season. “Right now, she’s the best leader we’ve ever had,” coach Jason Neidell said. Banas is leading the team in goals (seven) and points (16) and is second in shots on goal (15) this season.

Though the record doesn’t show it, the Lady Topper soccer team took some important strides this season. In only its fifth year of existence, coach Jason Neidell’s team had to rebound from the loss of 11 seniors after last season and play its toughest schedule ever with its smallest roster ever.

One night after the biggest win in the history of the program, the Lady Toppers’ season ended with a goal in the 89th minute. Western and North Texas were tied at 1 when Sun Belt Conference player of the year Heather Hutyra scored her eighth game-winner of the season.