08/12/2009
Women's Soccer Competes in First Preseason International Game

The Clark University women's soccer team departed on August 11 to Costa Rica for an international preseason trip. The 8-day, three-game trip will include time in San Jose and San Carlos. This marks the first time Coach Brady, in his ninth year, has taken the team on an international trip.

The trip will include three games against local club teams, opportunities to train and a number of popular cultural attractions. In addition, the team will take part in a community service project. The players will visit a childrens community center that cares for and educates 200 low-income children between the ages of 1-12 years old.

The players will team up during the trip to provide daily updates from Costa Rica.

Day 2 (Wednesday, August 12, 2009) Provided by the juniors

Today we had an early start with breakfast at 6:45 am. We headed out to a morning training session at 8 am. After training we went straight to a local community center to spend time with young children. The center provides a safe place for children from at risk home environments. We played with the children ages one to five. They really enjoyed sitting on our shoulders and taking pictures with our digital cameras.

Towards the end of our visit they taught us a spanish version of the hockie-pokie and some other spanish dances/songs. One of the young boys said a prayer for us before we left.

Back at the hotel before our first game we had a delicious Costa Rican lunch. We headed out for our game against first division professional team at a nice field-turf staduim. We lost 2-1 but the game was a great experience. Kellie, who played in net the second half, was awarded the MVP by their coach. Kristen scored her first international goal. The team was very creativity with the ball.

We ended our day at the "The Stadium" a local restaurant for dinner and to watch the Costa Rica/Honduras World Cup qualifier game. It was cool to be surrounded by Costa Rican fans while watching an important match. After the game we all went to bed early to get ready for our 2-day trip to the rainforest and second international game tomorrow.

-- The Juniors

Read About Day 1