"Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you will be able to see further," wrote writer/historian Thomas Carlyle.

SIOUX FALLS -- It was a little surreal. Just 19 games into their senior season, the careers of Hallam, Neb., native Sydney Nieveen and Belleville, Ill., native Lindsey Mossman came to a close.
 
In a year ravaged by CoVID-19, two of the University of Sioux Falls Softball's best-ever softball players, if not student-athletes, shed a few tears, hugs and moments with teammates and family when the final out of the team's final game was recorded. And, as the talented senior duo left the field this spring, it was with sadness, but also appreciation and with vision of a future that holds promise.

 

"It was hard to believe that the season was actually ending," said Nieveen, who was a standout at first base and on the mound and with Mossman helped lead the Cougars to 96 wins in four seasons. "I just remember watching ESPN and seeing everything start to get canceled in the sports world. I had this horrible feeling that our season would end," said Nieveen, who had a .330 career batting average (sixth all-time at USF), was a three-time Academic All-NSIC honoree, two-time All-NSIC performer, and one of 11 USF student-athletes to receive the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award (3.75 GPA or higher) in 2020.
 
Yet, Nieveen, who late this spring was named a CoSIDA All-District Academic honoree, knew there was no turning back and only recognition of work completed and a commitment to forge ahead with support from family, friends, teammates and coaches.
 
"If it was going to end the way it did, I was lucky to have my family there with me and support me through everything. It was hard, in that we wouldn't get a chance to show off all our hard work from the summer, fall and winter," said Nieveen, who has taken a position as assistant general manager at D-BAT (indoor baseball/softball facility) in Sioux Falls.
 
For the seniors, the final game was emotional but offered closure to four years of blood, sweat, tears, laughter and growth. Despite a loss, the chance to cross the lines with teammates one last time will be a cherished memory, related Mossman, a three-time Academic All-NSIC honoree, who twice was named to the Easton-NFCA All-American Scholar Team.   

 

"I struggled to keep my mind on each pitch that game because I knew that I would be done after it was over. I wanted it to keep going. But, we only got seven innings. It all happened so suddenly and our good bye to softball was so accelerated, I do not think I processed it that day," said Mossman, who will be part of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Master's program at the University of Mary in 2020-21 where she will be a graduate assistant working with U-Mary and a local gym, called Proximal50. "I do know that I learned the true meaning behind, 'play every game as your last,'" she said. 
 
In sport, rarely do athletes control that final moment when a career closes. Few leave with a walk-off hit. All leave with memories embedded in their soul and love in their heart for a game and for teammates.
 
Mossman and Nieveen played with passion and for their teammates, leading by example through memorable moments that filled up albums, noted USF Head Softball Coach Shannon Pivovar.
 
"Syd and Lindsey are irreplaceable off the diamond as they were on it. Both are scholar-athletes and graduated with honors. They will go on to do amazing things in each of their fields," said Pivovar. "They left USF Softball better than they found it. They helped leave me a better coach than when I came in. And, for that, we are all forever grateful," said Pivovar.

 

Road to USF – Paved by support from family
 
Like a lot of young athletes, Mossman had her start in tee-ball around the age of four or five. But she didn't start competitive softball until she was 11 years old.
 
"My mom (Julie) played softball while she was in the Air Force. She loved the game and I think that rubbed off on me," said Mossman, who had a number of influences from days playing 12u through high school and then joining the USF program. She credits her U12 coach Randy Wroten as her first influential mentor. "He taught me the basics of how to be a good player and a human," said Mossman, who also cited mentors which included Coach Luke Patton, Coach Ashlee Heady, Coach Lindsey Toenjes, Coach Rita Menke, and Coach Natalie Peters from her high school days in Belleville, Ill.
 
Peters so impacted Mossman that the No. 43 she wore at USF was her former coach's old number. "I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn from her and all of those who gave me valuable support. In college Coach Piv, Coach (Chris) Aggen and Coach (Zach) Mathers made me even a better person," she said. "They all hold a special place in my heart."
 
Influences during a life in competition has the ability to drive, if not inspire, young athletes. From her mom to the many coaches she has had, Mossman developed a love for softball while playing with grit, toughness and unbridled enthusiasm.  
 
Pivovar called Mossman a "workaholic" who led by example and was always pushing herself for more.
 
"She cared about each of her teammates and was able to connect with them off the diamond which build trust and respect to take onto the diamond. Mossy was extremely dedicated to her academics, a leader by example with her study-habits, her constant yearning to learn, and just her overall zest for knowledge," said Pivovar, of Mossman, who appeared in 165 games (fifth all-time at USF) and hit .279 with 138 hits and 82 runs scored while competing for the Cougars.
  Like Mossman, Nieveen had her start at a young age (6) and teeball also represented her start in a game she grew to love. Through it all, she credits so many people who helped her develop as a student-athlete.
 
"Sports have always been a huge part of my life and having the ability to continue playing it at the next level was not something that I was going to pass up," said Nieveen. "I had some great coaches as I have grown through the sport and between them and my parents (Janet and Lynn), I've always had them as my mentors helping me grow as an athlete and a person," said Nieveen, who this summer was named to the 2020 CoSIDA Academic All District VII Team.
 
For Pivovar, the one thing of many that sticks out about Nieveen is the unrelenting passion and competitive fire she brings to everything she does.
 
"There are a lot of memories I have of Sydney from the last couple of years. She brings competitiveness to a new level when we are playing Spikeball or doing relay races in the gym; the wait staff at many local restaurants know her by name and her entire order; I remember getting her to really be comfortable diving at first base and then watching her start to get more and more aggressive," said Pivovar. "I loved watching her work on the mound - I talk about it a lot but she just had this no-nonsense presence when she was out there that as a competitor was really cool to watch."
 
To the end of this season, Pivovar was motivated by these two seniors. One particular memory about Nieveen sticks with the second-year USF coach.
 
"Probably my favorite memory - and one that still gives me goosebumps - was watching Syd hit a home run on our final day of competition this spring - it was like it was out of a movie. I don't know exactly how she felt, but it was one of the best coaching moments I've had thus far," added Pivovar.
 
Beyond those moments in competition, Nieveen, as well as Mossman, exhibited leadership to her teammates through performance whether on the field, in the classroom or with community service.
 
"Sydney brought a presence about her to the softball team that is hard to explain. She led the team through her collective personality - whether on the mound or at the plate. She approached a strikeout the same as a double," said Pivovar. "Off the field, Sydney was the true definition of a student-athlete. She took her academics seriously and her study habits showed in the number of honors she received," Pivovar added of her senior standout who was active in USF's SAAC organization. 
 
In reflection, Nieveen and Mossman have experiences that will stick with them for a lifetime. Through it all, each step was backed by love of family, both at home and with teammates.
 
"My parents were some of the best supporters in all my years of softball," said Nieveen, who was named to the Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All American Scholar-Athlete Team in 2018-19. "They allowed me to have the opportunity to elevate my softball skills to the next level. As I was growing up they always drove me to practices, weekly pitching lessons, college camps, and tournaments year round and they really made this entire journey possible for me. My grandparents were also some of my biggest fans. My grandparents made it to so many of my college games and if they weren't able to be there in person, they would always check in after games and send me texts with supportive messages. My coaches and teammates have always been supportive of me and I can't thank them enough for that."
 
Mossman also knows that her success, whether in competition or the classroom, was built on the love of her family.
 
"My parents (Julie and Gordon) were immensely instrumental in my journey to USF. One thing that I took for granted with them is that they never forced me to practice or to play the game. They let me come to it as a kid and then as a teen they never made softball a job. But, they told me that what I put into it is what I would get out," said Mossman. "So, if I wanted to be great, I had to put in the work to get there. They taught me about dedication and hard work, yet kept softball a game for me. They let me love it," she said.
 
Moving on, both Mossman and Nieveen will always cherish the friendship of teammates. Both learned how important being part of a team is.
 
"Some of the best memories I've had being a member of the USF softball team are the fact that we just always have so much fun together, on and off the field," said Nieveen. "Being a part of the (USF) softball team is more than just being a team, we're a family and we are always there for each other and that's one of the best things that the team has given me," said Nieveen, a two-time All-NSIC performer who had 173 career hits, 16 home runs (7^th all-time at USF), 255 total bases (5^th all-time at USF) in 175 starts (6^th all-time at USF).
 
Nieveen recalled times USF defeated ranked opponents when the odds were against the USF squad. And, she said, those kind of wins showed that this team would never quit and always stood up for each other.
 
"I love how our team always had so much fight. In my four years as a member on the team, we've often  were the underdog. But we have beaten Augustana, Winona, and Minnesota State who all have been really tough teams to beat. With the Vikings and Mavericks being national champions in my time at USF, it is very cool that we beat them," said Nieveen, who ranks fifth all-time at USF with 92 RBI and ranks first all-time in runs scored with 133 while owning 39 multi-hit games and 22 multi-RBI outings.  
 
Beyond the winning, the two seniors will remember so many special moments, whether handing out valentines to faculty and staff, helping the community in service or bonding on road trips.
 
"Syd and I were on the team that set the D2 era record for a winning streak as sophomore. Those moments on the field were incredible but being at USF was more than that. It was all of the moments off the dirt that really solidified our family culture," said Mossman, who accumulated 26 doubles 11 home runs, 67 RBI and 14 stolen bases with 38 multi-hit games at USF. "We had countless hangouts where the Mafia (team nickname) would get a little out of hand or we would have a chili cook off. I think one of the things I will miss most is the bus ride jam sessions and card games."
 
 So many moments. So little time. And, life moves on.
 
 "I loved my time at USF," said Mossman. "And, it was simply because I was surrounded by the best people."