Photo by: Jaylynn Nash LLC
Pack Perspective – Lulu Guttenberger
2/4/2021 9:50:00 AM | Women's Soccer
*Editor's Note: Due to a depleted roster as an indirect impact of COVID-19, NC State women's soccer opted out of the 2020 season. Captain Lulu Guttenberger was one of the international members of the team who ultimately was unable to return to Raleigh in the fall amidst the pandemic. The following is a piece written by Guttenberger on her perspective and journey over the past 10 months.
When I left the United States in mid-March of 2020 after (NC State's) campus shut down, I obviously had no idea that I would be leaving my teammates, coaches and friends for 10 months. Looking back at it now, it was definitely the right decision to go home and spend these unprecedented times with my family.
It was the first time since moving out from home six years ago that I have had the chance to spend as much time with my family as I did from March until January, and I wouldn't want to change that for anything. It was a time to take a step back, slow down and figure out who I am outside of soccer. I never thought I'd graduate from NC State while being in Germany, but I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to finish my studies with the support from my NC State family.
The decision to stay home and not return for the fall season was probably one of the hardest I have ever had to make. I knew I wouldn't be able to be with my team to prepare for the fall season, and I knew I was not going to be able to see my friends for another six months. At the end of the day, this pandemic has affected millions of people around the world; people have lost their lives and many more have had to mourn unmeasurable loss. To me, soccer became secondary and I knew that it was time to take my individual interests and put them aside to make sure that everyone around me is safe.
I was devastated when I heard the news that the team would opt out of the fall season, as I knew of the work that everyone put in day in and day out. I really admired the team's reaction to the news and how they approached the unusual fall semester. From our first practice of the spring to now, I've seen the tremendous work everyone put in and how much the team has developed over the fall semester.
Going into this spring season, I feel extremely grateful that I am able to be back at the place that I have been privileged to call my home for the last three-and-a-half years. Being with my teammates and playing the sport that I love is something that I will never take for granted again. We are extremely privileged to be able to play games this spring and continue to improve as a team. It is a huge opportunity for everyone to finally get back to the field and get better against great opponents. At the end of the day, we are all here to win, and this is how I will approach every single game we play this spring season no matter the circumstances.
The world is still not back to normal, so being able to get back some sense of normalcy has been invaluable to me. Despite the fact that I was thousands of miles away during this unprecedented time, I never once felt like I was distanced from the team or program, proving the point that we really are always part of the Pack!
-Lulu Guttenberger
When I left the United States in mid-March of 2020 after (NC State's) campus shut down, I obviously had no idea that I would be leaving my teammates, coaches and friends for 10 months. Looking back at it now, it was definitely the right decision to go home and spend these unprecedented times with my family.
It was the first time since moving out from home six years ago that I have had the chance to spend as much time with my family as I did from March until January, and I wouldn't want to change that for anything. It was a time to take a step back, slow down and figure out who I am outside of soccer. I never thought I'd graduate from NC State while being in Germany, but I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to finish my studies with the support from my NC State family.
The decision to stay home and not return for the fall season was probably one of the hardest I have ever had to make. I knew I wouldn't be able to be with my team to prepare for the fall season, and I knew I was not going to be able to see my friends for another six months. At the end of the day, this pandemic has affected millions of people around the world; people have lost their lives and many more have had to mourn unmeasurable loss. To me, soccer became secondary and I knew that it was time to take my individual interests and put them aside to make sure that everyone around me is safe.
I was devastated when I heard the news that the team would opt out of the fall season, as I knew of the work that everyone put in day in and day out. I really admired the team's reaction to the news and how they approached the unusual fall semester. From our first practice of the spring to now, I've seen the tremendous work everyone put in and how much the team has developed over the fall semester.
Going into this spring season, I feel extremely grateful that I am able to be back at the place that I have been privileged to call my home for the last three-and-a-half years. Being with my teammates and playing the sport that I love is something that I will never take for granted again. We are extremely privileged to be able to play games this spring and continue to improve as a team. It is a huge opportunity for everyone to finally get back to the field and get better against great opponents. At the end of the day, we are all here to win, and this is how I will approach every single game we play this spring season no matter the circumstances.
The world is still not back to normal, so being able to get back some sense of normalcy has been invaluable to me. Despite the fact that I was thousands of miles away during this unprecedented time, I never once felt like I was distanced from the team or program, proving the point that we really are always part of the Pack!
-Lulu Guttenberger
Players Mentioned
Defender
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