Coming to an End

 

              It was a long weekend of emotions. The last games of the season were winding down with the necessity to win both SUNYAC games and senior game making it bittersweet. Unfortunately we lost 1-0 to Brockport which made the game against Fredonia just another game. It was senior game, posters were made, balloons were blowing in the wind, and our mere two seniors had the game day to themselves. Emily LaLone and Lauren Gonyea are not only our seniors but they are also the captains of our team and the leaders. Through the three years I have played with them it has been great and they have always been people I could go to if I needed. It was a chilly day and everyone was bundled up on the sideline. It was tough not being able to get the win for the seniors since they deserved it but it was a good game and we stayed in it. We had the treat of two of our own to sing the national anthem. On Friday Assistant Coach Shay Gestal sang and Hannah Saccocio sang for us Saturday and they were both fantastic.

Even meditating the practice before did not get us the win so it seems these past two seasons that entering our spiritual side (Buddha) has not really done the trick.

 

                A special thanks to all the parents that attended the “tailgating” after the game and to those who brought any food that is much appreciated. It was nice to see everyone come to together one last time before the end of the season. Celebrating with the massive cake it seemed impossible for everyone to eat after they had stuffed themselves with tacos and cookies. Thank you to Mr.  & Mrs. LaLone and Mr. & Mrs. Gonyea for helping to set everything up and for everything you have done for us this season and past seasons. We will especially miss the coconut bars Mrs. LaLone is famous for because those are delicious.

                We traveled to Vermont yesterday to play Norwich who had a short bench. The game resulted in an 11-0 win and everyone got their fair share of playing time as it was our last time playing together for the season and the last bus ride. Cammey Keyser could not get over the chicken club sandwich she had ordered on the way home; according to her “it was the best on the planet.” It was tough not making it into playoffs because every year that is one of our goals. These next couple of days at the end of the season will feel weird not having to go to practice and be ready to play in games. There will be time to relax, do homework, and rest up after a long season. With finals week right around the corner there will be plenty of time for studying, not that anyone would want that over a game of soccer.

Fear has Two Meanings

It was a tough weekend for us with an eight hour bus ride all the way down to Buffalo State. We played to their level and showed them that we came to play. We managed to tie it up with five minutes left in the game with a goal from Diana DiCocco. We had momentum but they got a lucky goal from a free kick that we just could not keep out. After such a good game against Buffalo we hoped to bring that level of play to the Fredonia game who was lower in the ladder of conference play. We did not play to our full potential and after getting down 2-1 we just could not come back. It was hard to see our team with their heads down after the game knowing we could have beat them but it just means we have to hit that much harder this coming weekend with our last home games of the season. These two games are crucial and we must win them both if we want any shot of being able to get into playoffs. There is nothing we want more than to see our seniors and captains, Emily LaLone and Lauren Gonyea to finish their last year strong. As we huddled in the locker room before the Fredonia game I won't forget what Em LaLone said, "Fear means two things either Forget everything and run or Face everything and rise," that is a quote that we are challenging this past weekend and again we must do this weekend and I know we can face it.

 

We had an adventure on our long bus ride allowing us to watch a total of six movies even after having to wait in the beginning of the trip. I must say that Princess and the Frog was my favorite. Assistant Coach Pat Shaughnessy had a “birthday” surprise when we went to Joey’s in Syracuse for dinner Friday night. The chocolate mousse slice of pie had everyone’s mouth watering and I was sure to get a bite.

 

We were back on the bus and everyone seemed to fall asleep after a nice dinner and we got to the hotel quick where we were welcomed to the Double Tree by Hilton with a warm delicious cookie.

 

 

 

 With the long bus rides we always do a pre warm up routine led by Shay so we can get rid of our bus legs. Saturday morning we did something a little different and it seemed to have everyone relaxed but it’s hard to tell if it actually helped us before the game. Pat was able to get a nice picture from his room of our visualization tactics but some may say we looked like dead bodies, or like we are taking a nap. If you look closely you can get a good look at all of our white shins from the soccer tan or lack thereof.

  
 

Of course there is nothing like a little dancing by Wiley to get us laughing and energetic before a game as she lip syncs to her music. Notice the flexibility and strength she still has as she hangs from the top of the bus!

 

Although it was a long bus ride it was worth it to be with a team like this. We had a good time but it could have been a whole lot better if we could have come out with two wins. That is something that we can work on to change for this weekend.

Some of the players were caught sleeping! Each with their own blanket and pillow to keep them comfy, everyone has a preference!

 Our lovely Captain Emily LaLone in her Steelers Blanket

 Charisse Abellard with a quick pregame nap

 

 Ashley Pagano getting real comfortable

 

 Maddie Rattray gets up close and personal with her stuffed animals (Photo Credit to Pat)

 Ashlie Guinness I dont think that looks very comfortable

 And of course coaches need their sleep too, the one and only Pat Shaughnessy

 

 

Long Bus Rides and interesting Coaches

There was no better feeling that beating rivals Oneonta this weekend. Although it is considered a tie, since penalties kicks do not count until playoffs, it almost felt like a win. Kristy Kirkpatrick had a beautiful save in the penalty kicks that allowed us to take advantage. Megan Colby, who was in a splint from breaking her arm during the game stepped up and scored one of the penalty kicks and proved that she came to play. That energy boosted us into a win versus New Paltz with freshmen Vicky Scott and Heather Marko stepping up and netting a goal each and Cammey Keyser starting the series of goals. This was a good weekend for us because it showed that we can step up to the plate and play Plattsburgh soccer.

With that behind us we had two practices within 12 hours of each other after a long weekend, a late Tuesday practice and a nice 6:30am practice Wednesday under the lights as the sun was slowly rising. This upcoming weekend will be a long one with a trip that is at least eight hours all the way up to Buffalo State and Fredonia. It is an important weekend to keep up the tone of play and make sure we play our soccer and come out successful again. We are ready with all types of movies, games, homework and especially blankets and pillows to pass time napping on the long trip. Hopefully we will get some cute pictures while people sleep because eventually everyone finds a comfortable position to fall asleep in.

Meet the Assistant Coach

Although it is midway through the season, I have failed to give a little something about our new assistant coach. As we were sad to hear the B Mikes had to leave us, we welcomed Shay Gestal to the coaching staff and wish her good luck as she has to deal with 26 women and we all know that can be a little hard. Coming from Craftsbury, Vermont, Shay has let us in on a few interesting facts about herself such as the fact that she does not like to wear shoes. During our traditional mountain hike she roughed it up the mountain with her bare feet explaining that she never wears shoes and it is just easier for her. She is also a vegan who will cook meat and be around it but she just will not eat it, which is interesting since it must be hard to cook it when you don’t know the taste all that well. Growing up in Craftsbury is much different than Plattsburgh given the fact that it has about two stop signs, no internet and not much cell phone range. Gestal couldn’t be more proud of her small town and she loves everything about it. “I knew I wanted to be a coach once I figured out I wasn’t going to go pro,” said Gestal as Wiley sits next to me laughing at the answer. Shay is learning to deal with us and although we moan and groan when it comes to having to warm up and do exercises that help to prevent ACL injury we know it is beneficial in the long run. Shay thinks Plattsburgh is a great stepping stone to one day fulfilling her dream as a head coach at the collegiate level. “The opportunity is awesome and everyone in Plattsburgh is just so nice and lovely, I am happy to be working with the Waterbury’s since they have had so much experience and success,” she said.

 

P.S. This picture explains last weekend so well and the same thing is going to happen this coming weekend also. We all know what it means and if you're not having a good time now, I hope it gets the fire going!

No time to be sick

With a five hour trip to Cortland and our longest bus ride until Buffalo State we head to Oswego and Cortland. There was a trip to Moe’s and Panera and if you had chosen the Moe’s route, like me, you most likely had the misfortune of have to wait in line and eat the meal on the bus. Since so many of us went to Moe’s the line took forever and Panera eaters were done and on the bus before some of us could sit down. Eating messy Mexican food on the bus was not easy but after a stuffed stomach and a nice nap, we were able to be serenaded by a select few sophomores and freshmen. There were some Disney songs with a little bit of Grease.

(Under the Sea)

(Grease Summer Nights)

Our first away trip of SUNYAC’s did not end as we would have hoped. On a beautiful day in Oswego we went down 2-0 at half but coming into the second half we put all our hearts into the game. That heart is something we regret not putting into the first half since we had already dug a hole we could not escape. The momentum from the second half was carried into the competition against Cortland through which we had a difficult time agreeing with the decisions of the refs. After a questionable call inside our own box in the second half, Cortland put the first point on the board to make a 1-0 game. The rest of the half was a battle that was shot after shot on the Cortland goalie and finally a break through when Lauren Gonyea netted her third goal of the season. Everyone went crazy as we were tied up until the end of the game and headed into overtime. Not many changes were made on the field and the ball went back and forth to each side of the field we unfortunately were not able to stay solid through the whole overtime as they slipped through and finished the game winning goal to end in a 2-1 game.

It was a tough loss especially for the first weekend on the road in SUNYACs and with the heart put into each game. Emily LaLone was suffering from an awful sickness that seemed to be the flu but played like a champion and no one could have asked more of her. The momentum we played with will be carried into this week’s practice and onto the challenging weekend of facing long-time rival Oneonta Red Dragons Friday at 4pm and New Paltz Hawks Saturday at 1pm.

Ready for the Battle

SUNYAC play is no joke!

Many of you might rememeber our former mascot, Buddha, he is no longer with us due to the superstitions that have gotten the best of us this season. Many athletes understand that superstitions are not something to be tampered with and since last season did not end with the odds in our favor Buddha had to be dealt with and he is somewhere else now, in a better place. For now all we have is the team and the little superstitions we all have. Such as Devin McMahon, who wears a scrunchie in her shin guard that dates back to her Irish Step Dancing days. We also have Heather Marko, a freshman, who insists on wearing that red/black sequence headband whenever she plays and we are not exactly sure why.

With the first SUNYAC game of the season we went to our North Country rivals, Potsdam, and had a good battle that turned out in our favor. Lauren Gonyea scored our only goal of the game we won 1-0. Although we got the W, as a team, we were not happy with our overall performance because we felt that we could have played much better but with that it just gives us more incentive to play harder this weekend.

We are working hard this week to take on the competition on the road this weekend. Every Wednesday morning is a wakeup call for a 6:30 am practice. Although most of us complain about how tired we are and how we wish we were still wrapped up in the blankets of our comfortable beds, getting practice done with in the morning is worth it. Not only do we have the rest of the day ahead of us, but we also get to watch the sunrise, hear the birds chirping, and don’t have to play in the middle of the day when the sun is beating down on our backs. Unfortunately as I arrived at the field house doors this morning I came upon most of the team lying on their bags and fighting to keep their eyes open since we happened to be locked out. With our coaches still en route to us we could not do much except wait, and complain about how tired we all were which is something that never changes for early practice days.

I personally enjoy bus rides and being with the team for a weekend. Although many may not enjoy attempting to get comfortable in the seats or trying to finish homework, it’s a good time to bond together and see what everyone’s real tastes in movies are. We depart Thursday night after practice for a good five hour trip. On Friday we play Oswego and face off against Cortland on Saturday. We are up for a weekend of tough competition fighting for a spot in SUNYACS.