Today we came together as a team and refocused on what we were really here to do.  We played our best soccer of the tournament and battled for a 1-0 lead at the half.  We continued to control the game but fatigue and injury set in and we lost momentum.  Some special efforts by individual players on the Texans landed them three goals.  We were all disappointed leaving 0 and 3 but we will cherish this experience and the time we got to spend with some of our closest friends.  We will be back next year. 

Krista and Ashley

Today we had a game against PDA. We lost 1-0 and they definitely had the better of us for the majority of the game. We're not discouraged because we know we can play much better; being our first time at nationals we did not really know what to expect and we're ready to get a win tomorrow. Luckily the other two teams tied 3-3, so a 1-0 loss is not a detrimental result. Winning the next two games will guarantee us a spot in the finals. After the game we had a delectable lunch at Palmer's Deli and ate away our sorrows. We just got back from dinner at an Italian restaurant called Biaggi's. The parents joined us there as we celebrated Megan's 18th birthday. The dinner was fun; and after we came back to the hotel for a short meeting. Now it is off to bed because we have an 8 o'clock game tomorrow! Good night!
  

Ali,Jasmine and Amanda reporting today after their first game

 

 

We woke up this morning at 7:25 to go down to breakfast and then head off to practice.  As we ere departing from the hotel there was an unexpected down pour with thunder and lightening.  After a short practice at the fields we rushed back to the hotel to get "beautified" for the luncheon.  It was inspiring and got us excited for tomorrow's game.  After the luncheon we came back and napped at the hotel hanging out and bonding as a team.  We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory which was very exciting because everyone was starving and we sere allowed to order "the works". After we left the restaurant we had more rain  and when we got back to the hotel there had been a power outage because the hotel supposedly was struck by lightning!  As we walked into the lobby dark there was a reporter that interviewed us on the events of the night.  We had a team meeting but because of the dark it got moved to tomorrow morning.  We had to hike up 11 flights of stairs to get to our rooms!  Oh what fun!! Finally we are back in our rooms and relaxed and preparing for tomorrow's game.
 

Hallie Huston and Caeli Abeyta

   

Hey Guys
 

Today was our travel day and we flew from SD to Minnesota then finally from Minnesota to Des Moines.  Our first leg of the flight was long, but not eventful but the second leg was a whole different story- delay stormy , more delay and then when we finally got up in the air,  major turbulence hit.  Thank goodness the flight was only one hour long because the turbulence was definitely not agreeing with Kelsey's stomach.  But in the end we reached Des Moines safe and sound without having to use the "motion sickness bag" that Elaine made into a puppet for Kelsey's distraction. We had it better than the group who left San Diego two hours before us because we landed before them!!  After the airport, it was time to get into the rental cars and head to the Marriott. This was a little complicated because everyone know Cali girls don't pace light.

We (Kelsey and ALex:) are roomates and give the beds a 5-star rating on the comfort scale. After getting settled, the day was pretty low key - we took a jog as a team through the sky-walk, which is this really cool above ground glass tunnel walkway thing that connects all the buildings.  Just take our word for it-its chill!  A low key dinner with quality tater tots and to bed. Tomorrow our first full day in Iowa! We are Ready!!

Go Surf

Kelsey and Alex