Women's soccer team travels to Trinidad.
J. Breen Mitchell, News Editor, thejambar.com.
Issue date: 5/22/08
Four years ago, coach Anthony James took his former team, West Virginia Wesleyan College, to Trinidad, and ever since, his women's soccer team at Youngstown State University has wanted to go, too.
"I have been looking forward to it for two years now, and yet it is hard to believe we are leaving in a matter of hours," said Katelyn Bonn, who plays center midfielder for the team, before the trip.
From May 10-17, the women's soccer team went to Trinidad and Tobago, on a trip designed to expose the team to a culture other than their own, where soccer is the top sport in the nation. James said soccer is like a religion in Trinidad.
James and his assistant coach are both originally from Trinidad, but he said that there are many other reasons for the trip.
"I have always believed that education not only revolves around what goes on in the classroom," James said, "so to be exposed to a different culture and get the chance to see how other people live will be a great opportunity."
Before they left, James and the team talked before the trip about their expectations.
"I want the girls to be able to appreciate all that they have here in the U.S.," he said.
James said the team will also have the opportunity to enjoy the beaches and historic places.
James said the three games the team played against the Trinidad national team would provide a great environment and an opportunity to showcase YSU's team and potentially become a recruiting hotbed in the future. The YSU team won all three games.
Team members said that they were excited for the trip.
"I am obviously excited for the sandy beaches, sunny skies and crystal clear water," said right outside defender Carrie Mae Wack.
Wack said that while packing for the trip caused some extra stress during finals week, she was sure it would be worth it.
Another source of excitement and nervousness were the gameĀs the team played on the trip.
Wack said that the crowd would be the largest she had ever played for, but that she expects them to appreciate YSU's play, which she described as "finesse soccer."
Bonn said that she also thought that the team's style of play would be respected by the national team, saying that, while soccer was not the main focus of the trip, she is confident that they would play well.
"More than anything, I think this trip will be a great bonding experience," said Bonn.
Striker Natalie Brady agreed, saying that the team has been looking forward to the trip for a long time.
"We are all just really glad it is here and we can all have a good time together and share the great memories," she said.