Each week a different Gonzaga University women's soccer player will recap the week prior. This week Kenzie Lubeck, a freshman midfielder/defender, shares the highlights from the past week.
Blog October 4, 2011
The week began with a much welcomed day of respite on Sunday. We used this day to rejuvenate our minds and bodies, and to get ahead on our school work for the week.
Monday rolled around and the team showed up at 3:15 p.m. ready to work. We started our practice with a quick but challenging lift and then headed out to the field for some technical work. Once we got out to the practice field the team was split up into attackers and defenders for some functional training. The forwards spent their time working on crossing and finishing while the defenders worked on positioning and shifting to provide cover and support. The team then came together to play the Nordic game (which is a fast paced game stressing heading the ball and finishing crosses and shots.) After the game we played a quick 11-v-11 scrimmage on a small field to work on positioning for our upcoming games.
Tuesday was a rough start with a 7:30 a.m. practice. The team dragged themselves out of their warm beds to practice in the chilling fall air.
Wednesday was a well-earned day off for the team. Once again we were able to use this day to rest our bodies and to catch up on homework and studying. Everyone enjoyed having another day to rest.
Thursday was the day we were scheduled to travel to Seattle to play our game against Seattle University on Friday. But before we could leave we had to undergo a quick technical session to get our feet and minds working from the day off. After practice we had an hour to get lunch and to get packed and ready to leave. We left the locker room at 1:15 p.m. to load the bus and head to the airport. In Seattle we had a welcomed dinner at Chinooks where players' families were invited to join the team. After dinner we headed back to our hotel and did a pool recovery workout. Then the team was free to hang out with their families in the hotel until 10:30 p.m.
Friday, GAME DAY!!! It was finally here, the day we had been waiting and working for all week. We woke up in the morning, got a good hearty breakfast and then went to watch some video on our opponents. After breakfast we had some down time before we left to go to the Seattle University field for a quick walk through and some team building. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a delightful café and picked up some pre-ordered lunch to take back and eat. Back at the hotel we had some more downtime to gather our things and check out. During this time all the players who needed taping and other services got that taken care of so we could be completely focused once we left for the game. We arrived at the fields and went through our dynamic and technical warm-up. The team was pumped up and ready to play. The game started and we scored early with a goal from Kasey Rubosky. Later in the half Tori Lee gave the team an insurance goal and we were up 2-0. The second half was a battle but we were able to hold on to the lead and finish with a 2-0 final. The day finished with a quick flight back to Spokane to snuggle up in our own beds!
Saturday morning some players recovered from the game with a pool workout, while other players had a brief training session outdoors. Both groups were preparing for the game against Montana on Sunday.
Sunday, another game day!! The game was a battle and we had to fight the whole time. In the first half Ali Ohashi had a text book finish of a direct kick to put the Zags up 1-0. Later in the second half Emma Dolcetti added a goal of her own to put the game at a 2-0 final for the Bulldogs. After the game, the players hosted a short clinic for kids 12 and under. When the clinic was finished we signed some autographs for the adoring kids. Sunday was a successful end to a successful week.
The team is now looking forward to using the coming week to train and prepare for the first West Coast Conference league games next weekend in California. Wish us luck, Go Zags!
Kenzie Lubeck
Blog 1 - Aug. 30
Blog 2 - Sept. 6
Blog 3 - Sept. 13
Blog 4 - Sept. 19
Blog 5 - Sept. 26
