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!