Roides works her way back

by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor

In all accounts freshman year didn’t go exactly how Marisa Roides had hoped it would. The Caledonia, NY native had high expectations coming into her first season with Buffalo State.

But, those were quickly dashed as she sustained an injury early into preseason camp. The injury knocked her out most of the season. When she was finally able to get back on the pitch, the Caledonia-Mumford grad was just trying to get her legs underneath her.

“Last season was a roller coaster for me. I got injured on the second day of preseason, which was tough because it meant I had to sit out for most of the season,” stated Roides. “But I worked really hard to regain my strength, and when I finally got back on the field, I was able to get into a handful of games. The experience was eye-opening”

Just getting back out there, and being able to compete, was a win for Roides. It made all the long days of rehab worth it knowing she can try and help her teammates on the pitch. It was also an eye-opening experience when it came to the speed of the game.

Roides learned quickly that the college game was faster than in high school. While she was a dominating force for Caledonia-Mumford, Roides saw the space close quicker, and players getting less time to make something happen with the ball.

“The speed of play in college is so much different from high school—everything happens so fast, and you have to make decisions in a split second. It took some time to adjust, but those games taught me a lot about the level of intensity and focus that’s required at this level,” stated Roides. “And honestly, just being out there on the field is an indescribable feeling. After everything I went through, getting to step back onto the field made all the hard work and rehab worth it. It’s a feeling I’ll never get over, and it’s what keeps me pushing to get better every day.”

Pushing is what she has done. No one likes the feeling of being injured, and not playing. Missing time is tough, missing valuable time as a freshman was even tougher. It kind of put her behind the eight-ball a little,

Balancing the recovery time, with school, was not easy. Roides could have easily said why me, but she didn’t.

“Getting injured right at the start of preseason was really tough—it meant missing out on valuable time to adapt and prove myself,” stated Roides. “Balancing the recovery process with trying to catch up was a significant hurdle. But overcoming these challenges taught me a lot about resilience and how to navigate the demands of a college athlete.”

This season, Roides has appeared in a handful of games. After missing most of the last year, she is still trying to find her role on the team. It can be tough at times, Roides wants to get out there and prove that she can play at this level.

But, she is also trusting the process. She is as motivated as ever, and continues to work on all aspects of her game - as the season continues on.

“Adjusting to a different role was tough at first, but it gave me a new perspective. Not being on the field as much fueled my motivation this season,” stated Roides. “It pushed me to work even harder, focusing on improving every aspect of my game. Embracing this mindset has made me more determined than ever to contribute to the team in any way I can.”

As the season continues, Roides is focused on growing and building on what she did last year. She knows her time will come, and when it does she will be ready to shine. Roides is still working on her decision making, and wants to be the best teammate she can be.

“I’m focusing on continuing to grow and build on what I learned last year. I expect to be more confident and consistent, both in my play and my approach to the game,” stated Roides. “I want to improve my decision-making under pressure and work on my communication with teammates. Overall, I aim to be a stronger contributor on the field and help lead the team to success.”

Roides has also been working on her mental game. We all know soccer is a very physical sport, but what people don’t see is the mental toll it can take on someone. If you are a goal scorer, and that ball isn’t going on, it can take a toll.

She has done a nice job continuing to work on that side of her game. Gaining confidence in herself, so when it is time for get out there and perform Roides will be ready.

“I’ve worked on the mental side by staying positive, managing stress, and building confidence. Visualization and mindfulness techniques help me stay focused and calm, allowing me to make better decisions and perform at my best,” stated Roides. “Balancing sports and life is essential for thriving both on and off the field. It’s important to manage your time so you don’t get overwhelmed. Allowing yourself some downtime helps you stay refreshed, focused, and effective in both your studies and athletic commitments. This balance is key to succeeding in all areas and enjoying your college experience.”