Laura Newton of the Women’s Soccer team give us a behind the scene glimpse of the team’s journey to Buffalo N.Y. to play their season opener in the Daemen College (N.Y.) Invitational over the holiday weekend. They play their season opener Friday vs. host Daemen and will play upstart program SUNY ESF on Sunday. Newton will check in daily to give us an update on the happenings of your Royals women’s soccer team while on the road:
September 6, 2010
Today was our last day in chilly Buffalo, New York.
We had pretty much the same routine as Saturday morning. Got up for breakfast at the hotel and then packed to head to our last game.
One thing was different for Saturday.....we had a MUCH better result for us today! We won 2-0 with goals from Danielle "Cig" Ciglar and Abby Frook. Things are starting to click but we still have some work to do. It's back to the Proving Ground on Tuesday! However, the win did make getting on the bus for another 22 hour ride that much easier.
After the game, we showered and loaded the bus. We made two more stops before hitting the road. One for lunch and a Wal-Mart run for snacks. We are a team that likes to eat!
All in all, it was a successful trip.We did some things right on the field and we became closer as a team. All things that will benefit us when we enter conference play in a couple weeks. Great job this weekend, ladies!!!
Well, we are on our way back to Lake Wales! See you all when we arrive!
THANKS AGAIN to Coach Nelson, Coach Beto, Coach Lou, and Coach Julia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 4, 2010
Today was game day! Alarms went off for us to be downstairs for breakfast at 8am. Must say it was much nicer to sleep in a bed instead of on our bus.
We loaded the bus to head to Daemen College at 10:30am.
Unfortunately, we lost our game today. We played well but made some mistakes that we all know we have to clean up before conference play starts.
After our game was over we headed to Niagara Falls!!!!! It was absolutely beautiful!
We started our visit with a ride on the "Maid of the Mist" boat. The boat takes you in front of the fall. Saying that you get wet on the boat is an understatement. It would have been much worse without the ponchos they give you.
After the boat ride, we went to the Niagara Fall Theater and watched a movie about the legend of the Fall and people who have tried to tackle the fall and survived.
Last but not least, some of the girls took on the "Cave Of The Winds." You took a pathway up to the Fall and stood on a platform right under the waterfall. The platform is called the Hurricane Platform and when the water hits you it is like being in the middle of a hurricane, which means you got DRENCHED! Mandatory Niagara Falls sandals and ponchos had to be worn.
Be sure to stop by Profe's on Tuesday. I'm sure he'll have them on!
Back to the hotel we go! Another game awaits us tomorrow!
September 3, 2010
The team spent the majority of the day on the bus as we continued onward to Buffalo. We stopped this morning in West Virginia to have breakfast and stretch our legs. The cooler weather was a surprise for most of us.
We arrived in Amherst, New York around 4pm this evening. We got our room assignments and began to settle in. Our hotel, The Lord Amherst, is quite unique. Something you think you would only see in a movie.
Next up, we took a team trip to a local mall so we could walk around and loosen up our legs after sitting for 22 hours.
Of course this was no ordinary trip to the mall. We kicked it off with a scavenger hunt. Each room (4 players to each room) was given a list of things to do and each one had to have photo proof. First team to complete all 5 items within 25 minutes won. My room lost by 15 seconds :(
After some of us stretched our legs and wallets, we headed back to the hotel.
It's now time for us to all turn out the lights and begin to mentally prepare for tomorrow's game.
Continue sending us your positive and good luck vibes!
P.S. Congrats to our soccer brothers who won tonight 4-2! Well done boys!!
September 2, 2010
New York Bound!!
Today was the day we've been waiting for!! We are on our way to Buffalo, NY to get our 2010-2011 season underway.
Two weeks ago, we all arrived on campus ready to start preseason. With a very strong group of returners and rookie class, we began to prepare to finish this season in the top 4 of the Sun Conference.
Our first test as a team awaits us upon our arrival in Buffalo.
Before we left the Warner campus this evening, we took our team photo in front of the school's entrance.
With the bus packed with all our bags (you can imagine how much stuff that is with 28 girls), coolers full of food and drinks, and equipment we began our journey at 6:20pm.
Not long into the drive, the "Rookie" class (freshman and transfer students) was made aware of the team's policy to have them perform their version of American Idol. Here's how it works....Rookies, one at a time, go to the front of the bus with their song choice and iPod. They must turn their headphones up all the way and "serenade" the team with their own personal version of whatever song they chose. With 9 Rookies in all, there was a vast variety of musical genres performed. GREAT JOB LADIES!!
The remainder of today's trip has been spent on the bus, watching movies, doing homework, and resting for weekend ahead.
I'm sure I speak for all of the Warner Women's Soccer team when I say Thank You for all your support!!!
And a special Thanks to our coaches for putting up with us for 4 days straight! :)
GO ROYALS!!!
