September 4, 2009

Hey Eagle Soccer Fans!

We’re back, and you know you missed us! Summer is over, classes are back in session, and a new season has begun. We reported to preseason camp August 9th and haven’t stopped since, except for the occasional thunderstorm that rolled through in the evenings, uncharacteristically giving the team a couple nights off. Ironically enough, lightning caused the ending of our only preseason game against Rollins College. The plan was to play 3 thirty minute thirds; however, ten minutes into the last third, lightning flashed across the sky and the ref blew the whistle, calling the game. With that familiar sound, preseason ended and the real work began.

The first week of school also brought the first game of the season against a very good University of Central Florida side on Friday, August 21. During our pregame meal at Olive Garden that afternoon, lightning struck again. Go figure, right? We walked out of the restaurant and stood under the overhang waiting for the bus to come around, counting the seconds between lightning appearances and deafening sounds of thunder. The storm was directly over us, although Gina and KC might have begged to differ. As soon as the bus came around the corner, we filed on and drove the fifteen minutes to school to wait out the storm. Eventually both teams were able to begin warming up in UCF’s field house, every once in a while attempting to walk out onto the field. One time we even got to jog halfway across the field before the sirens signaled another thirty minute wait. After a two hour delay, the game finally began. The first half was pretty even ending 0-0. Even though UCF had the shots on goal advantage, our defending and goalkeeping were stellar. The second half was a battle—I think a sniper was seen in the stands (can’t be sure though). Unfortunately, UCF broke through our brick wall with twenty minutes left in the half and again with about five. Ok, so our first game of the season didn’t go as planned.

Well, neither did the second. Four days later, August 25, we bused down to Coral Gables to play the University of Miami. We started strong, passing the ball well, being more physical than I believe we have in a while. Unluckily, they capitalized on our mistake and Miami was up 1-0 with ten minutes to go in the half. The score changed again eighteen minutes into the second half, when Miami scored again on another header. And seven minutes later they scored again. 3-0 would be the final score. To our credit, we never stopped fighting, just couldn’t find the back of the net.

So you’re probably thinking: Two games on the road, they have to have a home game next, right? Nope. We traveled back to the city of Miami to play Florida International University on August 30. We have played them four times over the past two years and have won each time. We were not about to start losing now. Right from the first whistle we knocked the ball around, creating chances on goal. Opportunity after opportunity just seem to miss by inches. Lindsay, Caytlan, Ashley, Bri, just to name a few, were just a bit unlucky in the box, causing FIU players to sigh in relief. The first half ended, tied at zero, as did the second. And then, overtime came. We were pumped to go and knew we needed a win. Golden goal. The first team to score wins. Well, we didn’t lose. The two ten minute OT halves ended, with the scoreboard still showing goose eggs for both teams. Sorry to get your hopes up.

There is a recurring theme in these games that we would like to change at tonight’s game against Tennessee-Martin. Finally it’s our season opener and our ever popular annual Embassy Suites Kick-Off Classic. Come out! The whistle blows at 7:00pm sharp. Anyway, back to this reoccurring theme—0s in the score column on the box scores. This is no good. I think we are just waiting to get home to give our fans some phenomenal goals to talk about at the water cooler after the long weekend. Yea yea, that’s it! The stage is set: Lady Eagles are looking for not only their first win, but let’s get that first goal too! The TM game is not the only one this weekend. Come out again on Sunday at 1:30pm to watch us play Army to finish opening weekend.

Until next time—Go Eagles!