TQL former college athletes spotlight: Brooke
Being a college athlete takes hard work and determination, and Total Quality Logistics counts many of these standouts as team members. We share their stories in this feature.
Brooke L. normally didn’t take penalty kicks for the Malone University women’s soccer team. She was a defensive player, after all, for the Division II program. A four-year outside back.
But when the Pioneers’ 2021 Great Midwest Women’s Soccer Championship quarterfinal match against rival Ohio Dominican stretched from regulation and two overtimes to penalty kicks, Brooke’s coach needed her help.
“The offense usually took the PKs, but my coach said, ‘You’re good at them. I’m putting you in the lineup.’ I was so nervous,” Brooke said.
She knew she would shoot the soccer ball to the left of the goalkeeper but maintained a blank expression, careful not to project her aim. Brooke booted the ball to the left corner of the goal. She scored.
Malone ultimately out-shot Ohio Dominican 5-4 on PKs to secure the victory and a place in the G-Mac Tournament semifinals in Columbus. A timely save by the Pioneers’ goalkeeper ensured the upset over the second-seeded Panthers as well as the Pioneers’ first semifinals appearance since 2016.
Although seventh-seeded Malone lost its ensuing match to third-seeded Cedarville, the triumph over Ohio Dominican still resonates with Brooke.
“Having that happen my senior year was so exciting. I didn’t even know if we’d have a season because of COVID, so beating a rival in the conference tournament was the cherry on top,” Brooke said.
She could have returned to Malone for a fifth season afforded by COVID, but she’d already accepted a position at TQL and was ready to launch her career. The Logistics Account Executive Saturday Group Leader officially started in June of 2021.
Brooke’s legacy at Malone included starting 38 of her 50 collegiate soccer matches, including the last 29 straight. She took with her the attributes she developed along the way, like competitiveness, multitasking and teamwork.
She’s a firm believer in reaping what you sow in all aspects of her life.
“What you put into something, you’re going to get out. If you’re not willing to put in the time and effort, nothing will come of it,” Brooke said. “It’s true in college sports, and it’s the same at TQL.”
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