University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Athletics Family Mourns Loss of Athlete
July 30, 2002 | Women's Soccer
July 30, 2002
by Jorma Kansanen
The Maroon & White
Blades of grass were swept away by her feet. Unintentionally, they would sometimes be uprooted and fly into the air. Her gentle, fluid pirouettes and strokes upon it would sometimes leave the grass helpless to defend itself.
Blades of grass were swept away by her feet. Yet, that is not a surprise. A lot of things were swept away by Stephanie Santos whether she was on or off a soccer field-with no defense against her inimitable talent and charm.
In a harsh reversal of fortune on Sunday, June 9, Stephanie was in turn swept away. Whether it was an opponent or a friend, the person who could make either vulnerable to her talent or charm was subsequently left helpless to defend herself.
Late night. Passenger seat. Invulnerability. Speeding. No seatbelt. Telephone pole. No defense. Worst nightmare.
The passing of Stephanie Santos after a tragic car crash left the entire UMass, local and regional soccer community in shock and disbelief. Swept away. In her hometown of Ludlow, Mass., the budding local legend and All-Everything selection at her high school was venerated by thousands at her wake and funeral.
On the field, the gifted disciple from a town founded upon the sport ran gracefully and successfully amidst the growing, yet technically uninventive, world of women's soccer in this country. No defense. Stephanie's talent evolved from many angles and influences.
Watching her play, an educated soccer observer could espy many things. Stephanie's skill level and joie de vivre with the ball would remind one more of the male side of the game: the touch, composure and flair of Portugal's Luis Figo; the flashy dribbling and take-on ability of Ryan Giggs from Wales; and, the natural goal scoring ability from anywhere around the penalty area of England's Michael Owen or Brazil's Ronaldo.
Nice trap. Great pass. Poise. Good run. Hard shot. No defense. Goal.
When she was at the top of her game, Stephanie could leave an opponent without a conscious option to defend itself. Swept away. She was a natural, culminating with her becoming the leading scorer-as a freshman-for the University of Massachusetts, while being named to the preseason and postseason Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie teams.
Off the field, Stephanie's charm was all encompassing. After the tragedy was announced to the UMass women's soccer team and family, the shocking incident left one parent to remark, "She was just so warm and friendly and had that twinkle in her eye. She loved life and valued every new experience as an adventure and allowed us to share in her excitement. We will miss her more for this gift than for her performance on the field."
Eloquent. To say the least. Truthful. To the letter. Tragic. To the point.
Yet, that is exactly what Stephanie did to the people closest to her. No defense. With no evil thought or negative consequence or result in mind, she unknowingly garnered the highest accolade one could receive in a lifetime: universal love and respect from friends and peers.
It does not stop there. This occurred with acquaintances, too, and may well be the most telling of all the physical and psychological facets she possessed. Matt Vautour (UMass beat writer for the Daily Hampshire Gazette) noted similar sentiments in a well-written piece just days after the tragedy, concerning the first time he had interviewed her:
"After her team had won, she immediately switched from a focused and talented soccer star to a playful 18-year-old. That game took place on Sept. 16, shortly after the terrorist attacks. When I look back, I remember Santos' refreshing levity that afternoon as one of the first signs of life returning to some level of normalcy. That ebullience was typical of Santos, which makes it that much harder to come to grips with her death."
Infrequently, sitting. Frequently, scoring. Consistently, scintillating. Always, smiling.
And that was the best part. From a lofty perch, Stephanie Santos treated me like an equal. Swept away.
Jorma Kansanen is a staff member of the women's soccer team.
For those who would like to send a donation to the Santos Family, please contact:
Stephanie Santos Memorial Fund
Woronoco Savings Bank
431 Center Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
