Lauren Egbuloniou expects the waterworks to be turned around 4pm tomorrow at Turner's Cross.
But the 19-year-old wants to go out on a high as she prepares for life in Louisiana.
The Cork City striker leaves home in a fortnight and is relishing the prospect of a new adventure.
"I'm extremely excited," said Egbuloniou. "I can't wait to get over there.
"Some days I'm nervous, wondering what if it doesn't go the way I want, but basically I'm excited about what's ahead."
An ACL injury at 17 and then the Covid lockdown cost her close to a year and a half out.
The underage Ireland international returned last autumn and, while Cork have struggled this season, she has impressed.
Egbuloniou joined a UK-based agency to work out her options as she was keen on learning in a professional environment.
Given her time out, it was tough to get together enough footage to send to coaches.
But she gathered enough to generate interest and worked out the best course of action.
While at CIT campus, where she has completed the first year of a Sports and Exercise Management course, she was contacted by the Louisiana Tech University coach.
"He explained what he wanted but also what the University and the coaches could provide in terms of my development," the Cobh teenager said.
"I feel like it was the best option.
"I'll be the first Irish person to play there. I've already spoken to some of the girls, including a German and a Spanish girl who I'll be staying with.
"It's good that I'm not the only one going over."
Egbuloniou will be there for three years. "The game there is more physically demanding, that's partly why they bring in Europeans," she said.
"When I was injured I had a reason to go the gym, to do weights - that's definitely a plus now.
"Going pro isn't easy but the schools and universities give you that set up."
Leaving will be tough. "I started with Cork with the under-17s, played in the local leagues with and against a lot of the girls. It will be bittersweet," she said.
The Leesiders reached the FAI Cup final last season but were well beaten by Peamount, before losing Saoirse Noonan and Maria O'Sullivan.
"Last season was brilliant. Unfortunately the final didn't go our way," Egbuloniou remarked.
"But the experience of what we did was unreal and I'm not really sure what happened this season, we came in on such a high."
Cork had to wait until a fortnight ago to pick up their first win of the season and are tied with Athlone at the bottom.
"Everyone's saying it's a young squad, but it's a great squad that's maybe lacking that bit of experience," she said. "The girls will figure it out.
"That first win was definitely needed for our confidence. Results haven't reflected our hard work.
"There were some big boots to fill and I applaud the girls who have stepped up - people should give them a bit of time to grow into their boots.
"And I'd love to bag another goal or two before I leave."
