IPFW Women's Soccer

Lauren McCracken Blog #3

2009-10-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

Hey IPFW soccer fans, it’s been a while since the last blog, but I promise I wasn’t procrastinating... I was just waiting for the winning streak to get underway! We just finished playing UMKC earlier today, which ended in a 2-0 victory for your Dons. This was the third consecutive win for our team, improving our season record to 3-5-1 and our conference play to 2-0-0. We are off to a great start in the Summit League, and can only work to continue this lead for the remainder of the season, beginning next weekend in the Dakotas.

In the past weeks we had suffered some tough losses, which took a toll on all of us mentally and physically. We had hit a minor speed bump in our season, which required every single member of the team to step up in order to overcome it. After a few long discussions, and an increase in intensity at every practice, we were playing much more effectively as a team.

This lead to our first victory a week ago today versus Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. We started off slow, but battled back to score 2 quick goals in the second half, achieving a 2-1 victory. This was exactly the confidence boost we needed and it put us right back on track just as conference play was beginning.

This past week, the weather cooled off slightly but nonetheless, we have been training hard every morning with great intensity in order to prepare for the upcoming games. We only have 3 weeks left of the season, and there is no room for any setbacks or slacking. With the way we have been training and practicing lately, we have created our own luck, and have earned every victory that we have achieved. The Summit League tournament is in clear view and our fate is in our own hands. It is up to us to make it happen. It will not be easy, and it will require a lot of hard work, but I know that we are very capable of winning it. So the next time I write to you, I will be writing about the success that awaits us, but until then... GO DONS!

What it takes...

2009-09-06T15:58:00.001-07:00

We've been talking as a team the last few weeks about what it takes to compete and win at the Division I level. With a team made up of one senior, two juniors, 10 sophomores and 7 freshmen experience is not something we have loads of at the moment. What we do have is desire and we've shown that over the past few weeks.

We started off the season not doing what it takes. It sounds harsh but it's the truth. The players realized this when we discussed it and since then they've really elevated their level in everything--effort, focus, intensity, everything. The performances have been good, very good for stretches. The results thus far have been disappointing. There's a hump we need to get over and once we do the team will take off.

This weekend we faced two teams that beat us comprehensively last year, 4-0 and 3-0. Playing them in the same weekend this year to come out with a draw and a 1-0 loss that really could have been a win for us shows that we have what it takes. We're at the level of all of our opponents, it just comes down to some execution in critical moments and victory will be ours. And once we get the first one, watch out becauase it won't be the last!

A week to get ready for Detroit Mercy in an odd early evening start time Sunday. Hope to see a lot of you there for the first W of the season!

JD

Pre-season making way for the real deal

2009-08-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

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

First Big Test Awaits

2009-08-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

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.

Lauren McCracken returns!

2009-08-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

> 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

Pre-Season Update #1

2009-08-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-07T18:03:00.001-07:00

IPFW Women's Soccer on Facebook

Last Day of Summer Vacation

2009-08-04T06:42:00.000-07:00

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

Lauren McCracken Summer Update

2009-06-30T11:21:00.001-07:00

Hey there!

Well first of all, I'd like to wish everyone a very happy Canada Day! And for you American folk, a very happy 4th of July! With that in mind, May and June have flown by rather quickly, leaving only 31 days until pre season training camp begins! AHHH! This will be my second season as a Don, which makes me a sophmore.. wow, that's weird to say! Having one year under my belt, I have a much better idea of what to expect for training camp, as well as the upcoming year. I am very excited and anxious for this season and I can't wait to see my second family again!!! =)

Although our fall season last year lacked a few "Ws" on the board, I think that we accomplished a lot as a team. Being very young, we were inexperienced, but over the course of the fall, winter and spring, we improved both as a team and as individuals, proving that we have what it takes to be successful. Coming off a strong spring season, I am confident that this fall will show a much more mature team, and we will be able to accomplish a lot of the goals that we have set for ourselves!

As far as preparation goes, I have made quite a few changes in my daily regime this summer compared to last. Last summer, I was really busy with my soccer season, and instead of following the workout package, I figured my soccer, as well as the gym, was enough to keep me good shape for my freshman year. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, especially not for Division 1 soccer. This in turn made pre-season a really hard two weeks, and I had to work my butt off to get where I needed to be for the beginning of season. By the end of my year, I felt great and was in the best shape I have ever been in. My goal for this summer was to maintain my fitness and further continue to enhance it. I have followed the workout package religiously and have not missed a workout yet. In addition, I am still playing competitive soccer, which keeps me in the best possible soccer shape. My advice to any freshman as far as the workout pacakge goes is to follow Nike's lead and "just do it." It doesn't take too much time out of your day, and the benefits afterward will go without saying! If we all come into preseason in tip top condition, we can focus more on building as a team, as opposed to our fitness levels, and take off with jump start for what will be a great 2009 season!

After writing all of this, the excitement has just set in and I can't wait to be back in the Wayne with all of my lovely ladies, doing what we do best! With my psychic abilities, I see a very bright future this fall season for the IPFW Women's Soccer Team ... GO DONS!

Summer Update

2009-06-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Well as predicted it's been a busy summer. We have just finished with our camp for high school age players. It was a great camp with some very good players from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Vancouver, and Ontario. The quality of play was very good and we really enjoyed working with the players. Hopefully we'll see everyone back next year, especially the group from ANB Academy which is a quality group of players, coaches and parents. Thanks to everyone for taking part in our camp!

For me the camp was sandwiched around Notre Dame camp the previous week and ODP coming up in July. It's been a hectic few weeks that have been fun but I haven't had much time to spend much time in my new townhouse. I'd like to think that will happen soon but with upcoming camps and pre-season around the corner I am not too sure that will happen. All in good time I suppose.

It's so hard to believe it's nearly July! The players will be coming back to town in about a month and then the season will be over before you know it. Time just flies!

Hoping to get some viewpoints from players in the next few weeks so check back for that!

Joe

Canada, Premier League, Shannon Lynn and what not

2009-05-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

Well, we spent a nice weekend in Canada at the Umbro Top Rated Showcase. There were some very good teams and excellent players so it was a great trip even if the weather didn't always cooperate. We also had dinner with some of the parents of our Canadian players as well as some other friends which was absolutely fantastic.

Other than the fact that Mags' team--Man United--pipped my team--Liverpool--for the Premier League title there was not much to complain about. The 'Pool will get them next year...finally...I hope!

Another positive from the weekend was IPFW alum and good friend Shannon Lynn played in her competitive debut for FC Indiana which is ranked as the #6 women's club team in the world. Of course, she's played two exhibition games for them by shutting out WPS team Sky Blue FC for the 45 minutes she played and then helping FCI beat the Chicago Red Stars also from the WPS 3-2, however this was the first game of their W-League season as the team tries to get back to the final in August. On this occassion Shannon not only got her debut but also her first clean sheet as FCI beat Chicago Red Eleven 4-0. Maybe, just maybe, the Canadian National Team will come calling soon!

Lastly, our spring season summary is up on our website so check it out! It was a great building block for the fall as make a push to become the top team in the Summit League! http://www.gomastodons.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/051909aad.html

Here we go....

2009-05-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

Well, we've set up our Facebook fan page, Twitter so now it's time to add a blog. I'll probably contribute most of the time but from time to time during the year we'll have players and maybe even Mags, our head coach, chime in with their thoughts.

Anyway, it's a quite time of year...at least for the players. They've wrapped up finals and have headed home for the summer. Meanwhile we have a lot going on here in the summer--a couple of camps of our own, some camps we'll be working elsewhere, preparing for the 2009 season and on top of it all coaching the Fort Wayne Fever W-League team. There's not much "off" in the off-season from a coaches perspective.

Meanwhile I will be spending any spare time I can find this summer by moving into my new townhouse and finally dragging the family from Ohio after my older daughter graduated high school and heads off to college.

Well that's about it for now, hope you keep checking back from time to time!

Joe