Friday, November 22, 2024
The Weekly: Get top MTSU stories in your inbox by subscribing to The Weekly, a Sidelines newsletter delivered each Wednesday.

Soccer Senior Spotlight: Grace Stewart

Date:

Share post:

Story by Jacob Young / Staff Writer

Photo by Brent Beerends / MT Athletics

Tyler Lamb / Sports Editor contributed to this story 

Middle Tennessee Soccer is closing in on the end of the 2016 season as the Blue Raiders wrapped up their final home game Sunday against UTEP on Senior Day. With bright futures on and off the field, MTSU soccer’s four seniors will soon say goodbye to their collegiate soccer careers. Defender Grace Stewart is one of those seniors.

Coming to MT from Baylor High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., the Blue Raider atmosphere was what led to Stewart’s choice to move to Murfreesboro.

“Once I got on campus and got to see everything, I felt like it was the best fit for me,” Stewart said. “I thought that everyone was super friendly and down to earth, and I liked that a lot.”

After a highly decorated high school career including All-State honors in 2011, an injury prevented Stewart from seeing playing time during her freshman season.

She bounced back strong with 532 minutes logged in her sophomore season in seven games played, five of which she started. Stewart kept her consistent play going into her junior year, starting seven games and playing 663 minutes.

Even though an ACL injury would bring an early end to her junior campaign and prevent her from getting on the field in her senior season, Stewart hasn’t let that take away from her experience at MTSU.

“The memories that I’ll remember the most are just being with the girls on the bus rides and out of season,” Stewart said. “We are all so close and we hang out together and that’s what I’ll take away.”

Stewart said during her playing days, she always had a couple of pregame superstitions.

“I always wore a white headband, and then I had my pregame playlist,” Steward said.

“This might come as a shock, but I’m a huge Future fan, and I love Young Thug and other artists like that.”

Stewart will soon be able to attend many concerts as she plans to get a job in Nashville after she graduates in May with a degree in public relations.

Even though Stewart will be just down the road, she said she will also miss her favorite restaurant, The Boulevard.

“I’m going to miss The Boulevard, honestly,” Stewart said. “I love their sweet potato fries. They’re so good.”

But on a more serious note, Stewart’s message to her teammates and the Blue Raider fans was grateful.

“I appreciate all the support over the last four years, and I’m going to miss all the girls that I played with and that are going to continue to play here,” Stewart said.

For more sports stories, follow us at www.mtsusidelines.com, on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on Twitter at @Sidelines_Sport.

To contact Sports Editor Tyler Lamb (@Tlamb35), email sports@mtsusidelines.com.

Sidelines
Sidelineshttps://mtsusidelines.com
MTSU's digital daily news source

Related articles

MTSU club hockey earns No. 5 spot in latest rankings

Feature Photo by Caitlyn Hajek Story by Ephraim Rodenbach MTSU club hockey made history this past week by earning its highest ranking in team history. After a series sweep of in-state rival Vanderbilt that included an 8-0 shutout, the Blue Raiders climbed to the No. 5 spot in Division II club hockey rankings.

MTSU volleyball senior day photo gallery

Jaeda Jackson and Caitlyn Hajek are photographers for MTSU Sidelines  To contact the Sports and Assistant Sports Editor, email...

Lady Raiders defeat Tennessee Tech 69-52

Feature Photo by Paige Mast Story by Brett Walker Middle Tennessee State women’s basketball (4-1) defeated Tennessee Tech (4-1) by a score of 69-52 at home on Tuesday night.

A brief history of MTSU club hockey

Feature photo by Ephraim Rodenbach Story by Ephraim Rodenbach When it comes to the local sports scene at MTSU, the...