Alumni Game

Saturday morning started off with an awesome breakfast in Heritage Hall for all of the returning alumni who came back for the soccer games that afternoon. Alumni Director, David Earle came in and spoke to the crowd welcoming everyone back and encouraging the future alumni to continue to return because events like the one we were having is what keeps Sterling College going. The room was surprisingly full of alumni, in recent years not as many alumni have been able to return and play but this year was different! The women’s side had 17 returning players to take on the 2010 team. As the women’s team headed off to prepare for their game the men stayed behind to catch up, eat more food, and reflect on memories of the past.

The women’s game started at noon with the plan of playing 3- 30 minute periods. At first the alumni weren’t shaping up too poorly and held off the ‘young’ ones for the first 23 minutes of the period. Then the scoring began. The 2010 team came in hard and fast with quick passing and a lot of talking. Before the Alumni knew it, it was 2-0 during the first break between quarters. The 2nd period didn’t get any better, the alumni were tired, out of shape, and going against the wind, 3 things that make it VERY HARD to try and come back on a team full of girls that can outrun you, out dribble you, and mostly out score you! After the 2nd period Alumni made a deal with Coach Morris that we’d play a 3rd period but ONLY for 15 minutes (we prayed we could make it that long!).
While Coach Morris and the girls worked out some issues on their side the Alumni were quickly scheming a way to somehow get some more goals in this game! As a team we all decided we would start out with our 11, and every minute or so a girl from the bench would make her way onto the field while not taking off a sub  Getting all the girls on the field went off with out a hitch, by 5 minutes into the last period our bench was cleared and there was almost 2 alumni for every SC player on the field. Although the plan of scoring more goals didn’t work out as much we all enjoyed the last bit of the game asking the SC girls for a break against all of us ‘old’, worn out, and losing Alumni. They showed no mercy scoring 2 more goals in the last period to make the final score 7-3.

Although the Alumni didn’t win we all had a very good time getting back together, playing together again, and seeing everyone’s growing families!

Colorado Pictures

PS
Alumni game update on its way!

Scrimmage WIN

Last night we traveled to Hesston JuCo for a friendly scrimmage. We played 3-30 minute periods, trying different line-ups and formations. The scrimmage was a success for the new Lady Warrior Team with a 7-0 win over the Lady Larks. Goals were scored by Kylie Yates (4), Morgan Martin, Emily Gloshen, and Lacey Rhoads.
It must have been the game of ALL MY COWS that got the girls ready for the game :) they played well, communicated effectively, and overall had a fun time finally getting to play.

The coaches we were all excited to see the girls playing together and working so well together after just a week of knowing one another!
The next test is Saturdays match up game against the Alumni, which will be entertaining in itself! If you can come out and watch the Lady Warriors take on the Alumni Lady Warriors at noon :)
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!

3-A-Days

Ah, 3-a-days, they're finally over! I know the girls have been looking forward to this day since they started on Tuesday :) The week went well, with a lot getting accomplished. We have two days off before we're back to practice on Monday afternoon.
Wednesday we have our first scrimmage then the big ALUMNI game Saturday afternoon. I know the girls are excited to finally get to play instead of running 3X a day :)

Hope everyone has a good and relaxing weekend!

We have made it through our first day of 3-a-days!! In the morning we started out on the track with the cooper-test, 5 200's and 5 100's. In the afternoon we headed to the field to get some touches on the ball. At the end the girls played a little 8 VS 8 which made all of us coaches very excited for the season :) It was so nice to finally see all of the girls together and have a ball at their feet. We then ended the day with a swim workout that all the girls seemed to love.

This morning we started out on the soccer field working on some agility's and shooting, 2 more practices left for the day!

Thank goodness the weather has cooled down and we're able to get some good practice time in. Ah gotta love the fall season!

HOME

Well we all made it back to Sterling safely and glad to be back!

This morning all the girls are registering for school and putting their rooms together, tomorrow morning we start our first full day of practices!
Pray it all goes well and that the weather stays nice :)

Pictures will be posted soon from our camping adventures!

All Packed Up

Yesterday afternoon we headed into town to check out Gold Rush Days the town had going on, they had all sorts of vendors selling everything from food, to towels, to wooden carved bears. It was neat to walk through and a good time waster for the afternoon :)
After a good meal of pasta and watermelon the team changed and headed to some hot springs not too far away. It was a little weird at first... it was filled with mostly couples and had signs encouraging soft voices. That all changed when we showed up. Couples got out and the noise level definitely went up. We did get a few mean looks and comments but overall we had a good time and were able to relax in the nice warm water.
When we got back to camp the shower lined formed, the fire was started, and the smores got busted out once again. The rest of the night was spent just hanging out by the fire, laughing at one another, and vi sting with one of the campers from a neighboring campsite (okay not all of us, but a few of us).

Coach told everyone our goal was to leave camp this morning by 930am SHARP. Then Morgan simply replied "we'll be ready by 830" and this morning they indeed were. People were up and packing at 6:45 this morning. The trailer was loaded and we headed out at 8:16 this morning and are currently on our trek home. We just went through Colorado Springs and the next stop... Limon for some souvenir shopping!

The trip was an awesome success and I don't think anyone can say they didn't enjoy it. Between all the jokes, games, and bonding that went on we had a good time and it makes for a delightful start to this 2010 season. I'll now leave you with some quotes from the weekend:

-During the hike
"I think...." (Ki while looking at her map)
"Uh, what if we get lost up here?" "we won't Yesina has been marking the trees with Ki's knife"

-Part of the safety talk before white water rafting
"We won't lead you astray! We're not going to tell you to go this way <--- towards the alligators and waterfall, we'll encourage you ---> that way towards the martini's and cabana boys"

THE Hike

Well yesterday (friday) was nothing short of eventful! The morning got started off with breakfast and a nice 2 mile run next to a nearby lake. The girls did a good job finishing well despite the higher altitude. After the run we relaxed for just a little bit and headed out on the adventure of the day... hiking. The plan was to hike about a mile and half up to Harvard lake take in the scenery and hike the mile and half back down. Yeah things didn't go as planned. We got to what we thought as the starting point and started up! Justin and EB took the lead while Ki followed up the back. Taking Ki's map leads we headed up the "easy" path... until we came to where the trail ended... to no where. So we headed back down the path disappointed of not seeing lake. When we got to the vans Coach Morris saw the sign that somehow all 17 of missed at the begining stating TRAIL <--- the way we DIDN'T go. After a good laugh, a bit of embarassing stories, some snacks and water we started our next adventure down the right path, which was much easier. But somehow this didn't seem to be the mile and half path either. After another hour of hiking up this trail and running into another fellow hiker on his way down, we realized the lake was not in short reach. Exhausted and out of breath we all headed back down the path, excited to get back down to the vans and to the campsite for lunch.
After our late lunch, and a few maps, Coach Morris and Ki put together a bit of a scavenger hunt for the girls do around the camp grounds. Seeing the girls run around in teams searching for granola bars was entertaining to say the least :) Even though we had a late lunch half the team seemed to be 'starving' just 3 hours later so we broke out the grill for hot dogs, built a fire and enjoyed the rest of the night. As the sunset and the night got colder we all gathered around the fire enjoying the cool weather, each others company, and of course smores!

This morning started off in a bit of craziness. Coach Morris was the first one up and I'm pretty sure all the girls woke up to "TIME TO GET UP! You have 25 minutes to be ready to go rafting!" Swimsuits and toothbrushes were being scrambled too as we all raced to get ready. Thankfully we were all ready to go by 830. The guides took us down the Arkansas River and through 7 rapids in which not everyone was able to stay in the raft but thanks to all the safety talk we all made it out SAFELY.
This afternoon we're taking it easy, exploring the town and I'm sure coming back with all sorts of souviners. On the schedule tonight? The hot springs, which all the girls haven't stopped talking about since we got here Thursday night.

Hope everyone is staying as cool as we are up here!

Despite a few setbacks (van battery dying & a few mistaken routs) we finally made it to our camp site, Arkansas Valley Adventrues last night. Even though it was dark, cold, and we had little light, we were able to set up 5 tents and get everyone a spot to set up and go to bed. After sharing a few bear stories in my tent we were able to finally go to sleep around 1am. The day was long but I think we could all say we had a good time in our vans getting to know one another.

Although we had a late night the majority girls were up and ready to go this morning by 8am! I'm not sure if it was the cold that made them venture to the sun or the excitment of our hiking trip today that made them want to get out and get ready :)

Stay posted, we'll keep you updated on this adventure!

On the Road

Well Thursday has finally come and we're on the road! We were able to leave just ahead of schedule with 2 vans full of excited girls (and good food thanks to Coach's wife, Karna). Kylie and BT are meeting us out in Colorado... hopefully BT doesn't have a problem finding it! :)

Stay tuned, we'll keep you updated about how hiking, white water rafting, and sleeping in tents turns out!

Not too much longer!

As the past few weeks have gone by, all of the coaches have been preparing for the upcoming season, mowing the field, putting up nets, painting, and putting goals together. In just a few short days, all the girls will be returning to Sterling to check-in and head out to Colorado for our team trip. All of the coaches are really excited about this trip and can't wait to get the team together. Everything from white water rafting, hiking, hot springs, and some team bonding will make up the trip, by the end of it, everyone will have a story and awesome memories to kick off this 2010 season.

Girls, REMEMBER to double check the packing list Coach sent you and if you can't get certain items, let us know IMMEDIATELY!

Can't wait to see everyone and have an awesome time Colorado!