The year was 1999, and four true freshman were left to ponder their futures after a 4-15-1 season, including a 2-7 record in the Southeastern Conference.
Defenders Ashley Mitnick and Leigh McGovern, midfielder Melissa Shelton and forward Mandy Heintz may not have seen in their wildest dreams a chance to play in two SEC tournaments.
But with Sunday’s tie against Arkansas on Senior Day, the intercollegiate career of all four will continue for another day, Thursday, in the SEC tournament Oxford, Miss., against top seed Auburn.
It is the second time in the three years George Fotopoulos has been the head coach that LSU has qualified for the tournament.
“It’s unbelievable,” Mitnick said. “Ask me my freshman year, and I would have never thought I would go out like this. To have another chance at the SEC Tournament with this team — this team is so special and there’s something about it — going with them has meant so much.”
Mitnick and McGovern came from different parts of the country — Mitnick from Lilburn, Ga., and McGovern from Shreveport — but both shared the same goal. The two were in charge of shutting down opposing offenses and have been instrumental in LSU having the top statistical defense in the SEC.
LSU has allowed only 14 goals this season and .78 goals per game.
Both Mitnick and McGovern started all 77 games of their careers, and Mitnick is the Tigers’ all-time record-holder in assists.
Heintz leads the SEC with 22 goals and 48 points. A native of San Antonio, Texas, she battled injuries throughout her career, including taking a redshirt after her freshman year. Even though she has another year of eligibility, Heintz will forego the year, as she is graduating with a degree in kinesiology (human movement).
Shelton, who hails from Mandeville and is an undeniable leader on the team, gutted through an ankle sprain Sunday for the Tigers. She has recorded 27 points in her LSU career.
“I said this in my closing speech,” Fotopoulos said as his eyes watered. “These girls are going to be missed. These girls are so very special to our program. They are very special to me.
“They believed in me. Through my NCAA investigation and through my probation, these girls could have easily sold me out to dry and said ‘hey, how could we have a coach that’s broken the rules?’ But they knew about me, and they believed in me.”
Fotopoulos reflected on each of the four.
“Pressure can mold diamonds, and that’s what these kids did,” he said. “Ashley put in the penalty kick [Sunday], when Mandy had no legs, she went through it. Mo [Shelton] — just giving us as much time as she could. By Mo playing, there’s a fire and there’s a desire. What can I say about Leigh McGovern? She’s the catalyst of the defense, and I’m so very proud of her and what she’s done both on and off the field.”
Heintz spoke of the pride she feels as she tried to hold back tears.
“Just wearing the LSU uniform makes me feel so proud,” Heintz said. “It’s very emotional, but at the same time, it makes you very proud to know that I’ve been chosen to represent LSU for these four years.”
Mitnick also remembered her special day. The four were honored after Sunday’s game. They were each given a large action photograph of themselves, along with flowers.
“We walked into the locker room and each one of our lockers were decorated and we had flowers,” Mitnick said. “You walk in, and tears just start flowing. It’s hard, because some of us, we don’t know what were doing after this. Today may have been the last time we touch a ball. To walk out on this field for the last time is very emotional.”