Natty Champs again | Fundraiser event

Hi again.

If you didn't hear, the Messiah College Men's and Women's soccer teams won the NCAA Division III Championships AGAIN this year.  I was very fortunate to be able to watch MWS win the trophy down in San Antonio, TX.  (Wasn't able to make the men's game.)  MWS played well against a team that they had previously lost to early in the season (Emory).  Honestly, I don't think that MWS was ever threatened, and I was confident that we would come out with the win, after we scored the game's first and only goal.  I must confess, this is the first time that I've been to the final four/final since I was a player back in 2002; so yeah, i guess it's been 10 years...and yes, it was the first national championship win that I had been a part of.  How awesome.  Brandon Fisher tweeted: "Even as my piece of Messiah Soccer tradition gets smaller and smaller I find myself prouder and prouder of that tiny contribution." Well said brother.  Hmm - 5 stars looks soooo much better!

So Christmas is less than 3 weeks away!  WTF.  I'm not ready!  i'm kinda stressing about gifts.  I was just in NYC for work and it. was. crazy.  i felt like the grinch, bc i was like, walk faster and get out of my way and stop taking pictures to all of the tourists. arg.  

Big event coming up this Sunday.  Stop on by and support a great cause!

Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die.

In case you missed it

MWS won it's 4th national championship this past saturday!

2011 National Champs! (pics from NCAA.com)

It's craaaazy awesome!

Also, I finished The Messiah Method, a book written about the Messiah soccer programs.  (the first book i think i've ready from cover to cover in about 20 years.)  It's a great read if you are a coach, especially if you are a soccer coach.  The method however, can be applicable for any organization or institution.  It's awesome to be able to read and feel the emotion that each of the men and women who were interviewed displayed through their testimonies.  Such special program!  If you want to read, lemme know.  I'll let you borrow my copy!

Ugh!! Christmas is in 2.25 weeks and i need to buy a Christmas tree, decorate my house, and do ALL of my Christmas shopping!  too much, too little time!

Back to the National Championship

I was up early.  bc i went to bed early. bc i was beat from riding all day yest (Taos, NM). and bc the time is 2 hrs behind here in the west.  Unfortunately, i was unable to watch MWS' nail biter win (1-0)  yesterday afternoon.  but fortunately, i was receiving updates via text from a teammate.  (I heard they dominated).  I shouldn't have been so nervous, but i was, based on the 0-0 tie earlier in the season.  the win put MWS back in the NCAA final.  ..and back in the final with Wheaton College, IL.  woo.  this is so great.  playing this team in the final is ideal, bc you know you will be playing a quality, clean team.  MWS got to play wheaton one time when i was playing on the team ('02, i think). and it was a great experience, not only because they were a great soccer team and had quality athletes, but the fact that after the game (which btw, we won), we circled and prayed together, as teams, individuals, but also sisters in Christ.  Although, we were opponents; we were more importantly bonded in JC.  when does that ever happen in NCAA?  So while no doubt this will be a battle with the 2 best D3 Wsoccer teams in the country, i think there will be a mutual respect for 2 great programs, and respect for each player. and at the end of the day, the loser will love the winner and the winner will love the loser, each and collectively playing for an audience of ONE. 

oh and btw, here's the NCAA link to the highlights of the game.  game winner was siiiick, starting at 0:32.  i already watched it like 6 times consecutively.  

On Campus at Messiah College

This was posted on the NCAA's website. just say'n. (through min 6:00)

Happy Thanksgiving! Now I shall go babysit my little niece.

2011 Final Four

This years' MWS team is so great.  Each woman who represented MWS this weekend on (and off) the field was a true testament to what the program is about.  I am at a loss for words how grateful I am to have been a part of such a special program.  The (current) team has pushed through several challenges to make it back to the final four.  Maybe we should have expected it, but as Coach Frey said...

"I couldn't be prouder of this group of kids. Some years you just have that feeling, but this group has had to battle through everything - injuries, illness and they have come through" (Cumberlink.com)

They are a true inspiration and make all of us alumni proud to (still) be part of this special program.  Thanks MWS.  I loved every second of the games this weekend.

i really wanna a dog

a lil guy like this

btw - games this weekend are at Messiah.  3 really good teams and 1 not so good one made it through to sectionals.  can't wait to watch some good soccer and see some familiar faces.
my firm's big industry conference is tomorrow.  good because there will be crab cakes for lunch.  bad because i sit and listen to some boring lecture(r)s with boring slides and have to wear the 'dress to impress' business attire.  thank God for the iphone and a simple ball point pen.

Upset City

I know I brag and talk a lot about my soccer team, my college, the one i once played for, Messiah College.  but it's because they are worthy; and because i had such a great soccer experience, because i respect the coaches; because the program has had so much success, success that i feel i have experienced along with them and at one time contributed to and continue to participate in.  pride, baby, pride.

MWS National Championship 2009

NCAAs are currently in sesh.  i love it.  i have only been to one game this past season (men's and women's); but no different than any other year, i am engulfed with d3 soccer fever this time of year.  NCAA Regionals kicked off this past weekend and both the men's and women's teams hosted this first and second round of the tournament.  Well, as expected, the women's team (MWS) cruised through the first (Elms) and second (Skidmore) rounds and are now awaiting times and location of games this coming weekend for sectionals.  i was hoping that this round would be in Baltimore, MD (at Johns Hopkins University); however, i presume that it now will be at Messiah.  Here's the shocker:  Generally, there is a trade off every other year with the men's and women's teams for home field advantage at sectionals since it is (usually) pretty certain that both teams will make it to that round.  However, this year, the men's team got upset in overtime against Neumann College (and the shocker is really not the fact that they lost, but that they lost in the second round to Neumann).  sooooo, no conflicting tournament scheduling is on the table and that means top seeded MWS may be hosting this weekend.  good for the team, bad for me.  good for MWS, bad for JHU.  [side note:  Hopkins has an impressive 21-0 record.  whoever ends up having home field advantage, will def have just that.  And not only because of that, but based on the surface of home field.]  MWS plays on grass; JHU on turf.]  it's fine.  whichever venue it happens to be at, i plan to be there, and will bet that this will be the best game of the season (for both teams). [another side note:  this is the first year, as far as i am aware, that MWS has made it farther than the men's team. (finally)]

MWS National Champions 2009

so besides all that recent hoopla, i had a pretty good weekend. how about you?  mine consisted of sushi and starbucks, playing soccer in great weather, coaching soccer to a win (finally!), football practice, church, brunch, friends, Sunday football, plenty of sleep, and netflix.  relatively, good weekend, i'd say.  i cannot believe Thanksgiving is in less than 2 weeks.  craazzzzy!

MWS in The Equalizer

Messiah's national exposure one more time...this time it is for The Equalizer, the #1 source for women's professional soccer news.  A few years ago it was USA Today; and then last it was in the New York Times blog.  and not to mention The Messiah Method that was published last month.  I can never say enough about THE/my Messiah Women's Soccer team (MWS).  I am so proud to have been a part of this dynasty; well, barely.  They have become that since I've been a part of it.  The Team and Frey were no-namers back in the day.  We were becoming MWS in those 4 years.  but i still feel the thill of victory and "One in Heart and Mind" with every win and especially when I see an article like this.

Currrently, the team will be playing for another Commonwealth Championship tomorrow after a win in last night's semi's.  I'm sure it'll be a good game.  It's always a good game under the lights on the Shoe, especially on a beautiful fall evening as anticipated this weekend.  and when i say "good game," i just mean, MWS dominates and plays MWS.  Plain and simple; clean and tiiiiiiiight.  Good luck, ladies.  Win another title for an old lady like me, who still day dreams about running fast and looking good on the pitch.  I DID wear my MWS jersey today to work for "Purple Friday" (Baltimore Ravens) football jersey day to honor and support the team(s) just because.

Go Ravens.  Go Falcons!  Fly EAGLES Fly.

Never disappoints. Always gets it right.

J. Crew always gets it right and never disappoints.

MAC playoffs begin tonight for Messiah.  As expected, both teams are at the top of the conference seeding and have home games tonight.  I do not expect anything less than 2 wins tonight and a chance to compete for the title on Saturday.  Unfortunately, I do not think that I will be able to make the game, given some prior events scheduled for that day (unless the game is later and I do a 'lil shady-dip).  I have faith though.  MWS never disappoints.  They always get it right.  NCAAs for sure.

soccer season is underway

Happy Friday!  It's ugly out today though.  rain and dark this morning.

I don't blog much anymore.  Soccer has taken over my life, well not really, only twice a week...and the weekends. so that counts.  but i also obsess about MWS.  you know last night, i was wearing a MWS shirt at LoyolaU and some guy pointed it out and said, "you must be good."  ahhh, made my night.  i shrugged it off though and said, "used to be..."  i was running with a bag of cones, to the field...so i couldn't chat.  but i overheard him talking to his friend.  he said, MWS is goooood.  they win national championships.  Yes they do and continue to do...team is legit this year AGAIN. 

I recently completed the Friday Night Lights series...tear.  so good.  so i've been trying to find another feel good series on Netflix to start.  (MadMen, yes - in the future when i have a little more time.)  I chose Felicity.

Alumni weekend and new at Glide Surf Shop

I am excited.(!!).

Tomorrow is the annual MWS alumni game.  legit.  we get to play the best team in the country!  ok, that's the least of my excitement.  i'm even more excited to see all of my former teammates and other alumni coming back to support the program, team and game.  This program is so special.  "One in Heart and Mind".  it's been awhile since i've blogged much about my team, but they are in the offseason (and training hard).  i am motivated every time i think about the efforts that i used to give every spring season.  wish i was young and well again, but i had my chance.  now, a new chance for new players and a new team.  that is equally exciting!

Today is beautiful! (as was yesterday).  unfortunately, tomorrow's weather is suppose to blow.  like rain and wind and coldness here in the mid-atlantic.  boooo.  the game will most likely be played on the turf field.  booo again.  Actually, i think playing on turf will give our alumni team a chance.  first of all, the field is much much shorter and smaller.  Second, who plays well on turf anyways?  this might set the current team a little off their game.  Lastly, the surface does not lie.  i can get a good bounce on that volley to score a sweet goal. 

I need a dress for my brother's wedding.  Ugh.  I hate dress shopping.  maybe i'll just wear sweatpants with a jogging blazer??  why?  is it bc it is made for jogging?  yeah, that would look amazing with a pair of short shorts coupled with a sports bra.  and my new Nike Free's.

Yo - but check out these sweet original shirts and other cool brands featured at Glide Surf Shop! and make sure to visit them in Normandy this summer when you vacation at the Jersey Shore!

Shwood sunglasses ::  will def be getting me a pr (or 2) of these bad boys.  Love cool shades, love wood products - total dopesause.

Christenson surfboards ::  i don't surf, but these are rad.

today is 4.15.11.  did you file your taxes?  you have the weekend slackers.

NCAA Rankings National Women D-III {10.27.10}

I realize you already knew that I am obsessed with MWS, but just in case you doubted the program's superiority and awesomeness, below are the rankings for 10.26.10:

NCAA Rankings National Women Division III

Rank School W-L-T
1 Messiah (Pa.) 15 - 0 - 0
2 Hardin-Simmons (Texas) 15 - 0 - 0
3 Illinois Wesleyan 15 - 0 - 1
4 Otterbein (Ohio) 14 - 0 - 1
5 Loras (Iowa) 16 - 1 - 0
6 Emory (Ga.) 12 - 1 - 2
7 Trinity (Texas) 13 - 1 - 0
8 William Smith (N.Y.) 12 - 2 - 2
9 Wheaton (Ill.) 15 - 2 - 0
10 Eastern Connecticut State 13 - 0 - 3
11 Ithaca (N.Y.) 11 - 2 - 1
12 Wisconsin-Stevens Point 14 - 1 - 1
13 Dickinson (Pa.) 12 - 2 - 1 [beat 6-0]
14 Williams (Mass.) 8 - 3 - 2
15 Augustana (Ill.) 12 - 1 - 3
16 William Paterson (N.J.) 11 - 2 - 4
17 Johns Hopkins (Md.) 13 - 3 - 0 [beat 2-1]
18 Stevens Institute of Technology (N.J.) 14 - 2 - 1
19 Rowan (N.J.) 14 - 1 - 1
20 California Lutheran 16 - 1 - 1
20 Thomas More (Ky.) 12 - 0 - 3
22 College of New Jersey 13 - 2 - 1
23 Carleton (Minn.) 11 - 2 - 1
24 Rochester (N.Y.), University of 10 - 3 - 2
25 Centre (Ky.) 14 - 2 - 0

Also receiving votes: Brandeis (Mass.), Lynchburg (Va.), Puget Sound (Wash.), University of Chicago, Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.)

Of course I am right! In two weeks I'll be up for the conference final. More on that to come.

MWS update

I just discovered this:

MWS has its own YouTube Channel - schweeet!

Btw, MWS is undefeated and still #1 according to NSCAA and D3soccer. The team beat Lycoming 10-0 last night. ew - so good.

Next week, Johns Hopkins (t-10) plays The College of New Jersey (3) and I will be at Homewood to see two great teams and no doubt some good soccer.

Last night

Last night, I went out with some friends to Royal Taj. I love Indian food; it tastes so good on my lips. Last night MWS spanked Eastern University and last night was also game 1 of the NLDS for my Phillies. (Thank God for DVR.) I was not disappointed.

Girls' night out is always fun. The Royal Taj had the best service i think i've ever had at a restaurant. Good friends, good conversation, good food. One thing that I will mention is that this place was not casual. Some were dressed for dinner dates, the atmosphere was dim, and even my friends came well-dressed (some straight from work, so i can understand). I however, was very proud to wear my Phillies jersey to dine. Fist pump!

MWS played Eastern last night at home. It was no contest (duh) as the Falcons proved that they ARE the best in the country. We win 7-0. I asked my friend how the game went and congratulated the team for being awesome. She replied, "we are good and they were not so good, but that's what happens on the Shoe." - Junior Leah Sipe.

Because I went out to dinner last night, I was only able to watch the first 3 1/2 innings of the Phillies game live. Fortunately, when i returned home, i was able to rewatch history. Ew. Doc Halladay is siiiiick. Roy Halladay became the fifth pitcher in baseball history to have two no-hitters in one season, and the first to have one during the regular season and one in the playoffs. I was truly inspired and i am now even more excited for the game on Friday. I think what I think a lot of people think. The Phillies are THAT good. With H2O unbeatable and the best line-up in baseball, it will be a very exciting playoff run. by the way, good thing i put a deposit on my ticket plans for next year, because they are already freaking sold out. Chumps. One more day till Friday - Praise Him.

New record

MESSIAH WOMENS SOCCER, awesome, dominant and in the record books...again! a new record was set in DIII women's soccer (previously set by OWU, the team that beat MWS in the finals in 2002). MWS beat York College last Tuesday 3-0 in York, PA (also witnessed by yours truly), which marked 61 unbeaten contests in a row. the team's last loss was during the 2007 NCAA national championship in 2008. can you imagine NOT losing? dang. i can't. i feel like losing is part of athletics and i can also say that in my career, losing is what builds character and what drives you to work that much harder. now, i cannot say that i would feel the same way if i was a part of a dynasty. the team has 3 ties during in this streak and therefore, i suppose that a tie = a loss. a tie is not a win and knowing MWS, the tie should have been a win. but in either case, congrats team. congrats coach frey. thanks for dominating.

Goals of the season

As I had posted earlier, I got to see the best in action over at Homewood field. As expected, the good guys pulled through and looked stronger than ever. Messiah never gave the Blue Jays any room to breathe - the team just continuously and unforgivingly attacked their back line like it was the first minute of the game. Impressive? Of course, but it is only the 3rd game of the season and, no doubt, this team will only get better! Check out these clips: Goals of the season from the first weekend. Well done, my friends, well done. I shall see you later in the season and most definitely in the playoffs; but hopefully, I can catch the team in action on the Shoe. “The girls are always excited to play on The Shoe,” Coach Frey states.

On a totally different note, I am going to buy a new car today. Yay, boo...I mean, Yay. I mean, Boo. Ugh, one of those bitter sweet moments, for sure!

MWS

I look forward to a lot of things. For me, the fall is not football season, it is soccer season. And not that long ago, I played for the greatest collegiate program in the country, at least now it is. Messiah College Women's soccer is an awesome thing. If you have any respect for the game, take a night and go watch this team play. They are back on top this 2010 season and tonight they play right here in my town, Baltimore, MD baby! #1 MWS plays #8 Johns Hopkins. This is the game I look forward to every other year. Not only is it in my back yard, but JHU is a fierce team, always athletic and always a team that plays well on their home turf - you know it will be a great game, quality soccer, quality. I hope this debacle won't interfere with my plans to attend. Otherwise, I'll be waiting another two years for this!

New York City

This past weekend, I went to New York City to eat, shop and visit with my sister. Fun times - I mean, seriously, it was nice to get away. I must say though, I love observing the people of this great city. Fashion - yes, but with a price. First of all, people like go all out when they shop, like wearing heels to walk around for multiple hours? Who does that? It's like they have to prove that they are fashion forward to be worthy of the shopping. The price you pay for brands are literally ridiculous and if you don't hold yourself back, you can definitely spend more than you can afford. On the other hand, I love Uniqlo, I mean, not only is it like gnarly, but fits my Asian bod. So anyways, the NYC Soho store was our first destination after grabbing breakfast and coffee. Unbeknownst to any of us, the store was launching their new +J line by Jil Sanders...when we showed up 1/2 hour before the store opened, there was a short line and by 10 am, the line way, way back...ew. I mean, don't get me wrong, Jil Sanders is freaking money and her line was incredible...and actually affordable, but sheeesh. Well, it does add up AND I did spend :)

Check out the related blog by the New York Times. Makes me laugh...We tried to check out Brooklyn on Saturday, but it rained all day. Good thing I had my sweet NIKE rain jacket. Hopefully, next time I visit NYC, we can explore a new territory. Hmm, food was Southern Indian, American cafe/pastry-ish, and Vietnamese - like real good though I gained a few unwanted pounds - haha. In soccer news, Messiah women "banged past Albright 5-0" for their first conference game and win. The team's schedule in the next few weeks is on the light side with conference games + Eastern. The next test will most likely not be until regional finals.

Messiah vs. York

Corrie, my roommate, and I were anticipating a slaughter. Messiah was playing at home, under the lights, against the once rivaled York College of PA. When it rains, it pours and that it did - not literally, but the team poured goals into the back of the net and onto the scoreboard. It actually began by York scoring first, but followed with a burst of speed from the forwards and wingers unrelentingly pressing forward, overlapping, outrunning, and OCCASIONALLY finishing. Occasionally - meaning it could have been way worse, given the plethora of opportunity for the Falcons. Ew - yes the team is that good. I believe that the greatest asset of this team however is the depth of the bench. Coach Fry made at least 6 substitutions in the first half, in which the quality of play was only slightly diminished, if any. I've seen that every single player on the team sees time in virtually every game that the team steps on the field...a luxury for a coach. As a player, I remember the games that we had only 11 players see the field...As a coach, only having exactly 11 players on the squad - yikes! Now 22 (or whatever) quality players who can play at such a high level and run at an exhausted team? priceless. Ok, so I do have to say that it wasn't an overly exciting game, yet moments of excitement - goals themselves are always exciting. Like always, I will mention the fact that I would be extremely surprised if the team does not take home another championship - they are just solid and with the potential of being that much better! Amazed!

http://www.messiah.edu/athletics/sports/womens_soccer/articles/0910/sep-30.html

yet still on top

http://www.nscaa.com/seniorRes.php?it=1081