After 8 days of pre-season we faced two exhibition games in three days to help prepare us for the regular season. Saturday we faced Murray State at Hefner Soccer Complex and while giving a good account of ourselves we made some key mistakes, especially on set pieces, and gave away three goals in the process. While we were encouraged to score two goals of our own the result was disappointing.
There wasn't much time to feel sorry for ourselves as we headed to Charleston, Illinois Monday morning to take on the Eastern Illinois Panthers. It was a hot day, our first road trip, the second of the two games and EIU was playing their only pre-season of the match of the season for new coach Summer Perala so we knew we'd have our work cut out for us. The truth of it is we just didn't show up prepared to play mentally or physically. We were a bit lucky to only have a 1-0 deficit at halftime and though we started the second half much sharper our luck ran out when we were called for not one but two handling calls in the box resulting in two PKs and two goals for EIU.
There were some positives to take from the day but we need to get much, much better in some key areas to get where we want to be this season. That's exactly what we'll focus on the next four days as we prepare for our first regular season game Saturday against the Chipps from Central Michigan. The game is part of the National Soccer Festival which we're very happy to be part of. Lots to play for then Saturday so come on on and cheer on the Dons!
Joe
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
First Big Test Awaits
Eight days of pre-season are past us and now we face our first competitive test of the season against Murray State tomorrow. In some ways the time has flown by but in others it seems like we've been in season for weeks already.
The fitness level improved nicely during the week and we're at a level that we as a coaching staff were fairly happy about. There are the natural bumps and bruises that are to be expected, nothing serious yet which is always good news. We'll continue working hard to both improve fitness levels as well as prevent injuries during what is always a tough, physical season.
So tomorrow is the day. Big test of where we're at and, of course, it's always good to get off to a winning start.
The fitness level improved nicely during the week and we're at a level that we as a coaching staff were fairly happy about. There are the natural bumps and bruises that are to be expected, nothing serious yet which is always good news. We'll continue working hard to both improve fitness levels as well as prevent injuries during what is always a tough, physical season.
So tomorrow is the day. Big test of where we're at and, of course, it's always good to get off to a winning start.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Lauren McCracken returns!
> It’s hard to believe that my last blog was over a month ago! With the last bit of the summer flying by, we are already in the midst of our pre season! Coming off of a well deserved and very relaxing day off yesterday, we are 15 training sessions in, working hard, sweating lots and giving it our all.
I arrived back in the Fort two Fridays ago, and our captains’ practices began the next day! We trained hard amongst ourselves for the first five days, twice a day, working on offense and defence, and of course, fitness. Having a strong core of returning players this year, the freshman and new faces instantly fitted in, and gelled exceptionally well with the rest of the team, even before the coaches’ practices began.
After sitting through numerous compliance meetings, the coaches took control, and the true “pre season” was underway as of last Thursday. We started out our first practice with our little friend we like to call the Liverpool, aka. fitness test numero 1... unfortunately, with this “little friend” it’s more of a love-hate relationship. LOVE when we are finished it, HATE when we are doing it. But, we all got through it, and in the end, it can only benefit us!
In order to play, the coaches have set a rule that players must pass 2 of the 3 fitness tests. Only a few players met the times for the Liverpool, but we still had a chance to earn our field time, as we completed the five cone test on Saturday and the beep test earlier this morning. Although we have been pushing ourselves continuously, some of us have yet to pass two tests, but we are lucky enough to be given the opportunity to redeem ourselves, as we can redo a test on Wednesday this week! HUGE congratulations to the girls who are in the clear and have passed either 2 or all 3 of the tests, what an accomplishment! As for the rest of us, Wednesday is our day to shine! Lets do it up ladies, we know we can!
Obviously we’ve been doing much more than just fitness. As a matter of fact, defensive skills have been the main area of focus thus far. Our hard work in training is really paying off because I think that our defense both individually and as a team, has improved drastically from both last season and day one of training. PRESSURE, COVER, BALANCE!
Tomorrow night, instead of training, our AWESOME coaches are taking us to Indianapolis to see the Irish National team take on Notre Dame. It should be a great game and a great experience, one that we can learn a lot from! Judging from the past week and a half, our team chemistry on and off the field is very strong and impressive for our youthful team, and I can’t wait for our first game this Saturday! We’re only 6 practices away from our first show as a team, and despite the hot, humid weather that we will be faced with for the rest of this week, we are cracking down, and giving 120% in every session. As of 7pm Saturday night, Murray State will be in for a battle. I am confident that we are going to jump start our season the right way, with a BIG home field W on the board... but trust me, this will only be the beginning!
GO DONS!!!
Lauren
I arrived back in the Fort two Fridays ago, and our captains’ practices began the next day! We trained hard amongst ourselves for the first five days, twice a day, working on offense and defence, and of course, fitness. Having a strong core of returning players this year, the freshman and new faces instantly fitted in, and gelled exceptionally well with the rest of the team, even before the coaches’ practices began.
After sitting through numerous compliance meetings, the coaches took control, and the true “pre season” was underway as of last Thursday. We started out our first practice with our little friend we like to call the Liverpool, aka. fitness test numero 1... unfortunately, with this “little friend” it’s more of a love-hate relationship. LOVE when we are finished it, HATE when we are doing it. But, we all got through it, and in the end, it can only benefit us!
In order to play, the coaches have set a rule that players must pass 2 of the 3 fitness tests. Only a few players met the times for the Liverpool, but we still had a chance to earn our field time, as we completed the five cone test on Saturday and the beep test earlier this morning. Although we have been pushing ourselves continuously, some of us have yet to pass two tests, but we are lucky enough to be given the opportunity to redeem ourselves, as we can redo a test on Wednesday this week! HUGE congratulations to the girls who are in the clear and have passed either 2 or all 3 of the tests, what an accomplishment! As for the rest of us, Wednesday is our day to shine! Lets do it up ladies, we know we can!
Obviously we’ve been doing much more than just fitness. As a matter of fact, defensive skills have been the main area of focus thus far. Our hard work in training is really paying off because I think that our defense both individually and as a team, has improved drastically from both last season and day one of training. PRESSURE, COVER, BALANCE!
Tomorrow night, instead of training, our AWESOME coaches are taking us to Indianapolis to see the Irish National team take on Notre Dame. It should be a great game and a great experience, one that we can learn a lot from! Judging from the past week and a half, our team chemistry on and off the field is very strong and impressive for our youthful team, and I can’t wait for our first game this Saturday! We’re only 6 practices away from our first show as a team, and despite the hot, humid weather that we will be faced with for the rest of this week, we are cracking down, and giving 120% in every session. As of 7pm Saturday night, Murray State will be in for a battle. I am confident that we are going to jump start our season the right way, with a BIG home field W on the board... but trust me, this will only be the beginning!
GO DONS!!!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Pre-Season Update #1
Two and a half days into pre-season and things are going pretty well. We've had two fitness tests so far with good results including an IPFW best score in the second test. While the results of the first test on Thursday were a little disappointing, today's test yielded much better results with nearly everyone passing. One more test to go on Monday morning, the dreaded beep test! Some players will go into with a relaxed attitude as they have already met our program's standard for passing two of the three fitness tests.
We've been doing more than just fitness, though. In a little over an hour we head out for our sixth session in three days before a well deserved day off tomorrow. We've focused a lot on individual and small group defending so far while our goalkeepers have been focusing primarily on their fitness and mobility in goal. Overall the intensity of the session has been very good and the freshmen have been integrated very well into the team. With a week left to go before our first pre-season game there is still a lot to do to prepare but the feeling around the team is incredibly positive.
Look for a post from a player or two in the next few days to get their perspective on how things have gone so far! GO DONS!
Joe
We've been doing more than just fitness, though. In a little over an hour we head out for our sixth session in three days before a well deserved day off tomorrow. We've focused a lot on individual and small group defending so far while our goalkeepers have been focusing primarily on their fitness and mobility in goal. Overall the intensity of the session has been very good and the freshmen have been integrated very well into the team. With a week left to go before our first pre-season game there is still a lot to do to prepare but the feeling around the team is incredibly positive.
Look for a post from a player or two in the next few days to get their perspective on how things have gone so far! GO DONS!
Joe
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Last Day of Summer Vacation
Well, what seemed a far distant date in the future is nearly upon us. Pre-season starts tomorrow and with it great anxiety and anticipation. Will the players be fit when they start training? Just how good can we be this year? Can we avoid injuries? Just how long can we make the season last? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered in the next few days and months.
Youth will rule again as we have a squad with just one senior and two juniors. The sophomores should bring back a lot of experience and here's hoping the the freshmen will get over those early butterflies and help provide the attacking power we need this season.
In reality, pre-season training doesn't get underway until Thursday. Tomorrow is the necessary evil of doing all the housekeeping stuff--compliance meetings, equipment issue, meeting with the athletic training staff, team photos, etc, etc. Not a lot of fun in most ways but in order to start the fun we have to do it. So roll on tomorrow, fly by quickly and then on to the next day when the real fun begins!
Joe
Youth will rule again as we have a squad with just one senior and two juniors. The sophomores should bring back a lot of experience and here's hoping the the freshmen will get over those early butterflies and help provide the attacking power we need this season.
In reality, pre-season training doesn't get underway until Thursday. Tomorrow is the necessary evil of doing all the housekeeping stuff--compliance meetings, equipment issue, meeting with the athletic training staff, team photos, etc, etc. Not a lot of fun in most ways but in order to start the fun we have to do it. So roll on tomorrow, fly by quickly and then on to the next day when the real fun begins!
Joe
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