Preseason has finally come to a close and now I am realizing the real work is beginning. We had our first scrimmage this past week against SYC Patriots. As a new player, even this little scrimmage was a little scary. The team had to focus on playing together and working hard. We had to face the struggles of the heat, the pressure of impressing the coaches, the fact we have never played together and the desire to come out and win. There is nothing like stepping onto the pitch for the first time in your college career. The moment was invigorating and something I will never forget. The team ended up with a 0-0 tie, however we demonstrated hard work, good ball control and amazing transitioning.
The next major event this week was the dreaded individual meetings and cuts. Even though we lost a few of the friends we made during preseason, it was a relief to finally have our team. The real bonding was to begin. Coach said from the start, if we are going to win the ODAC championship, we have to start practicing like a team that should win the ODAC championship.
Practice has been hard but the team has really stepped it up. I now know why the college level is so different from club and high school soccer. The team and my own personal intensity have improved so much from day one. I walk off that field drenched in sweat, with aching muscles and the intent to go back to the dorm and sleep. But, I realized that it is the best feeling in the world - the feeling that I worked hard for my team and that I feel I will contribute to this team going far. I know everyone on this team pushes themselves to that level every practice.
ODAC conference, watch out, the Bridgewater's Eagles are coming! We can prove this with the team's new motto: “Witness the Rising”. We will live everyday to make sure that motto becomes a reality.
As freshmen, we have had a week of orientation. The team has had to push extra hard. As tiring as it is to sit all day in meetings after meetings, the freshmen have to put all that aside when we walk onto the field. As I walk out to practice, I know I can not think of the professors I j ust met, or the new people in my PDP class, we have to focus on coming out and working hard to accomplish a quality practice.
We mean business. The team will look to prove that on Tuesday when we have our first game of the year. The team will travel to Baltimore, Maryland to take on Stevenson. This will be the first opportunity to show how much we have improved and how we are going to be a threat this season. I have a lot of faith in the team to do what is needed to get the job done. Wish us luck as we travel to Baltimore and see if all of our hard work will pay off.
Megan Ryan
