Makinen was the perfect fit for replacing national player of the year Cindy Daws at central midfielder and she played a major role in the Irish reaching the 1997 NCAA semifinals and the '99 title game. Another run at the title remains the goal for 2000. I don't want to win by being lucky, instead of by playing well and playing as a team. Makinen is viewed by college soccer insiders as having a strong chance to follow Daws as Notre Dame's second national player of the year. But she's having nothing of it.
Soccer is a team sport.
While many of her classmates were busy applying face paint in preparation for the season-opening football game, Makinen was relaxing in her room. She likes Notre Dame and appreciates what it's done for her, but she has a reserved personality. The quality of her relationships are important to Anne, not the quantity. But I'm very grateful for the education I'm getting and for the friends that I've made. Just the whole experience of being by myself has really developed my individuality and helped me grow up a lot.