What do Division III players do in the off-season? A Players Perspective

After hearing (and maybe reading on a blog somewhere…) about some rumors swirling around about what was going on this winter, I thought it would only be appropriate for us to clarify the truth of winter workouts.

Here are some real life tales from some real life players this winter 2012 off-season:

1. After deciding that the lifting program was too simple, Katherine Rush and Lauren Abraham have begun bench-pressing each other for a new challenge. Meanwhile, Ainsley Daigle uses both of them and attaches one to each side of the bar for squats. Coach Schall has yet to report on the safety of these new techniques.
2. While running the cooper test, Alex Todd and Hannah Sackfield decided 12:00 was too easy and went for a double cooper. Estimates say they ran to Lynchburg and back during this time.
3. An old goalkeeper or maybe a grandma has teamed up with a current general for the annual winter 2v2 tournament. Her application was late and thus all teams are now playing this combo during their assigned “bye” week, but based on the skill level it might as well stay a bye week. Kingsley Schroeder pretends she does not know this grandma when she sees her on campus.
4. Alexis Blight has troubles doing ladders even on the ones that are taped down upstairs in the gym. Sources say that boot girl is still afraid to leave her boot but that Jasmine Soo carries boot girl on her back when she jump ropes before lifting.
5. KJ Lancaster was really spotted biking like a grandma as Katie Rossi spent time in the weights section “cleaning” while the men’s lacrosse team was doing one of their weekly lifts. Haley Ward ignored both of these events while running on the treadmill for hours on end because she is now 100% cleared.
6. Liz DePlautt and Lauren Williams spent roughly an hour attempting to detangle their jump ropes while Madeline Forrestel turned the entire drawer upside down in order to find her lifting sheet which had “gone missing”. Reports say it had accidentally been placed in the boy’s soccer area since the sheets are the same color for no apparent reason other than to confuse us.
7. Coach Suzanne and Holley Beasley were seen with handfuls Blue Sky (also known as Big Sky to Suze) chocolate chip cookies after they were spotted leaving the Salerno’s buffet lunch. Beasley also participated in a cheese ball eating competition later that afternoon which she won.
8. After completing their first lift, Taylor Devoe and Emily Scott high fived with Katie Howard while she was biking. Insider info says they then headed down to the racquetball courts to work on some footskills but instead ended up in the squash courts without any realization that there was a difference.
9. Coach Cunningham has run out of treats in his office. Please send some ASAP before his sugar low kicks in. Also if walking from the sorority house after lunch to class on the hill, he enjoys chocolate.
10. Regardless of the information- factual or not- you have read up until this point, each general has been actively participating in winter workouts with enthusiasm and energy. No matter what hour of the day you go in the gym or drive through Lexington, you are bound to find one of us doing a winter workout. Though the weather outside may sometimes be overcast, we’ve all got sunshine on our minds with thoughts of next year and what the future holds.

Yours Truly,

Lucky # 13

What do Division III players do in the off-season?

This is a great question and one I get asked all the time by recruits and their parents as they explore the best college experience. During the winter months, even though temperatures in the mid 50’s hardly qualify as winter, (unless you are Mad Dog who is from FL and whines daily about any day she has to go outside) what do the athletes do that are used to competing year round in soccer for their club teams and high schools.

Here are some observations, rumors and gossip that I have heard in and around the office. The semester is still so young.

1. All our 11 freshpants enjoyed the singing, dancing, non-stop talking and festivities associated with sorority rush. I heard that even Anne Masich held a conversation that lasted more than 4 mumbled words.

2. Hannah Sackfield is a Horse. That’s what I heard at first until it was explained that she was “hoarse” after so much singing during rush. Tomato, tomato.

3. Weight training has started for the players and rumor has it that Liz and L-Dubz can actually lift 2lb dumbbells. (not sure if that is together or each) KJ was also spotted riding the stationary bike like an old grandma.

4. The Cooper Test is apparently not a popular fitness work-out. (Katie Howard specifically requested it)

5. Some of our graduating seniors have already started to fully embrace the notion that it is now time to start getting ready for doing some “life sports”.  K-Law was spotted in her Wimbledon Whites, tennis racket slung casually over the shoulder off to the tennis court. Deisher signed up for a Boot Camp class, which is an 8am Fitness class run by 2 football coaches. (Why is no-one surprised by this?) Page Minton has taken up Basketball for Geriatrics at the retirement home and Kat and Dory have been spotted in matching work-out gear but never actually working out. (Just kidding)

6. Coach Suzanne has been extremely busy enjoying sorority house lunches, Blue Sky Bakery sandwiches and eating Susan’s cookies. Nothing new there then!

7. Allie Espina has been reported missing since November.

8. Coach Cunningham surprised all the players by actually reading a book. I have actually been dragged into the cult otherwise known as the ‘Hunger Games Trilogy” Two down and one to go….

9. Ainsley Daigle is still apparently bitter about LSU’s pathetic performance in the National Championship Game and keeps tweeting messages to Coach Miles.

10. Katie Rossi folds a mean towel. You could actually cut yourself on the creases.

More to come…..

PLAYER ACCOLADES

It is always a proud moment for a coach when your players get recognized by other coaches and organizations involved in collegiate athletics. We get to see our own players every day and see the qualities that they bring to the team all the time. It’s always refreshing to know that other people notice and give them their just rewards. This fall was good for the program and individually for some of our players. I just wanted to take a few minutes to highlight some of the best of the best.

HOLLEY BEASLEY: Freshman. Virginia Beach, VA. Midfield

All-Conference, All VA State and NSCAA All Region. Also named C0-Conference Rookie of the Year.

Holley made an enormous impact on our program as a freshman. In an attacking central midfield role she scored 12 goals which was tied for first on the team and she also posted 4 assists. Equally as impressive was the 3 pizzas she consumed while watching a field hockey game. (Just kidding Holl) Holley was impressive every day at practice and her work rate is something to marvel. Not just a talented student-athlete and fierce competitor on the field, but a great person with amazing leadership potential.

KATHERYNE LAWSON: Senior. White Post, VA. Center-Back

All-Conference; All VA State; NSCAA All-South Region; All-American

K-Law finishes her career as the school’s only two-time first team All-American. An amazing accomplishment considering she transferred in as a sophomore. Her decision to attend another institution as a first year is still the only mistake I can remember. K-Law finished the season as an ever-present as always and Captain of the Generals. Her impact on the program is impossible to put in words. She has raised the level of our play with her not willing to lose attitude and she has been an amazing role model for younger players. Tough when she needs to be, but overall just a big kid with an infectious personality. A great example of what a student athlete should be. Great student, player, mentor and friend.

EMILY LEARY: Senior. Cincinnati, OH. Goalkeeper

All-Conference; All VA State; NSCAA All-South Region. School record holder for shut-outs.

Emily Leary started the program as a quiet girl from Loveland, OH who dreamed of being from the big city of Cincinnati, OH. She leaves the program a legend! The first player I can remember with her own fan club that came to games regardless of the weather to cheer her on and sometimes the rest of the team as well. A very popular person and amazing ambassador for the program and the best example of what it means to be a fully engaged student-athlete at Washington and Lee. Involved in so many things, has been a two-time Captain of the Generals and did I mention she holds the record for most shut-outs by a GK at Washington and Lee and career goals against average.

PAGE MINTON: Senior. Bowling Green, KY. Defender

All-Conference.

Have you ever seen those movies where they send for the specialist, or hire an assassin to take care of something that needs to be done? No fuss, very few words , but the job just gets done. This is who Page Minton has been to me and the program in her four years. She is the player that you can not leave out of the team as she holds everything together. A smart player and positionally the most versatile I have ever coached. Page is hard-working, tougher than anyone I know yet never loses that southern girl calm demeanor. She has been Captain of the team and probably the most influential player I have ever coached. However, be warned because her sharp wit can cause serious damage. I was delighted when finally someone else in the league saw what a great player she really is and she was recognized.

KATHERINE RUSH: Freshman. Cornelius, NC. Forward

All-Conference; All VA State.

Krush,  as she became known as soon as she came to campus at Washington and Lee had an amazing first campaign. Asked to play as a forward she did an awesome job finishing as the team’s joint top scorer and she lead the team in points with 12 goals and 5 assists. Katherine made an instant lasting impression with our players as soon as she arrived with her work on and off the ball and her energetic runs. As Krush becomes more comfortable with her position she will just get better and we expect her to lead the line for the Generals for many years to come. A great student, player and you could not ask to be around a nicer kid.

Suzanne’s Holiday Road Trips

This is my first blog article! I hope everyone is having a good start to their new year. My holiday break started with a trip to NYC with my mom. Back in October, I came across a really good deal on airfare to the city. I try not to get to obsessed with crossing things off my bucket list, but NYC during the holidays always has sat at the top. Apprehensively I called my mom assuming the 24 hour deadline to buy would overwhelm and destroy my little kid excitement. Maybe it is because I don’t live near my parents, but she surprisingly said yes without hesitation. I’m still proud that my mom could be spontaneous.

We did everything. We hiked up Fifth Ave, saw the holiday store windows, saw a Broadway play, walked through the memorial at ground zero, shopped at the holiday markets,  even tried summiting the Rockefeller Christmas tree and then walked some more.  We even woke up at 5:45 to get in line for the Today Show and yes I became a superstar… we were on TV 4 times. Although we declined an interview with Ann Curry to allow an older woman who was turning 80 to shine, we still managed to stand out of the crowd. It could have been our good looks or my bright yellow Angry Birds hat that I bought for $5 while standing in line. The trip was a success and we hope to do it again sometime soon.

My holiday was spent in Columbus OH with family members and lots of yummy homemade Christmas cookies (the real reason I love the holiday).  My presents this year showed my age. Tearing off the wrapping paper to find a sweeper, a salad spinner and luggage immediately prompted excitement to such practical gifts.  After the holiday, I caught up with lots of friends from high school and college. Christmas is the one holiday where almost everyone still comes home.

-Suzanne

WE ARE BACK….Totally!

It is 2012 and we are back baby! We apologize to the three people who were avid readers of the BLOG but we felt it necessary to shut down operations temporarily to think about alternative methods of spreading the good word about Generals Women’s Soccer. Needless to say after a couple of months of travelling doing revivals and preaching in front of huge crowds we felt it was better to get behind a computer and just churn out some more ramblings mixed in with occasional interesting reading. So here we are again…..

What have the soccer staff and team been up to in the last couple of months? RECRUITING, RECRUITING and RECRUITING. Lots of mileage, eating at Panera and Sheetz and  if I hear Party Rock Anthem one more time on the radio I will drive my rental car off a cliff. We took in exotic locales such as Bethesda, MD; Raleigh, NC; Kirkwood, DE; Williamsburg, VA and Atlanta, GA. Oh the glamorous life of a soccer coach!

We will follow-up later in the year with a more detailed report on our new recruits when the class for 2012 is complete.

The staff also enjoyed a welcome break for the holidays. I for one was extremely grateful for spending time with my other family.  Christmas through the eyes of a 6 and 8-year-old is way more fun and they get cooler gifts. There are only so many pairs of black socks a Dad can wear…right Dads? Now the Easy Bake Oven and a Karaoke machine provide much more entertainment, and does anyone not like Legos? Needless to say it was a lot of fun waiting for Santa ( My 6-year-old Daughter could not sleep as she was “too excited”) and Christmas morning was awesome even though it obviously started very early. After the festivities and enough food to feed everyone at Hogwarts some members of the household attempted a little catnap only to wake up to the sweet melody of Beauty and the Beast ( performed by a 6-year-old angel)and the not so sweet rendition of Oh Danny Boy. (performed by an older person that definitely was never referred to as an angel)

After the relatives depart it has been customary for myself and wife to escape to the big city for a couple of days and go shopping in the sales. Leaving the kids in the capable hands of grandparents we bolt for the cultural life of DC only to be sidetracked by malls and shopping. I will not bore you to death with too many details but I have some questions that always seem to be unanswered. Here are my top 3.

1. Why do women like shoes sooooo much? After the 15th trip to the shoe department at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus the sales guy and I were on first name terms and drinking coffee together. I am still not sure if we bought anything or not, although I suspect we did.

2. Why does DSW only have two aisles of shoes for guys, 104 for women and still no big screen TV’s?

3. Does anyone ever win that Jaguar or Porsche that is always parked in the mall and everyone fills out one of those cards to try to win it? It’s amazing to me that people actually think they will win. Is this one of those American Dream things? If you are the winner of one of these competitions please send me a picture of you with the car. It may help with at least one of my questions. I know I will not see a solution to the first two.

OK that’s it for now. More to come about the actual team in the upcoming days. Please respond if you can help me with questions 1 and 2.

Washington and Lee Soccer Camp Save the Date

MY LAST BLOG….EVER?

Our final player of the week award goes to our senior Captain, Page Minton. Having been out for a week with a broken finger nail, or a concussion  (cannot remember which one) she came back stronger than ever. Page put in a great week of work at practice and had an outstanding game in midfield against Bridgewater. We missed her when she was out as a player and more importantly as that inspirational leader that she has become. Good Job Pager!

November Tournament Schedule

A member from the Washington and Lee soccer staff will be present at the following tournaments this month. Email us your schedules!

Bethesda Soccer Showcase
November 11th-13th

CASL Visit Raleigh Soccer Showcase
November 18th-20th

Kirkwood Soccer Showcase
November 25th-26th
 

GO GENERALS!

A TEAM OF CHARACTERS

Last week our team decided to have a bit of fun with some old jerseys that Baner our equipment and uniform manager decided to hand out by mistake. As you can see they are very ugly and sleeveless. Some fit well, some were like crop tops but either way they were just flat out ugly. I think our team knew it would give the staff a good laugh and it certainly did that. Maybe we should wear them in the ODAC playoffs?

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kingsley Schroeder

This week’s recipient of the Player of the Week award is our sophomore GK from Dayton, OH. Kings has had another stellar week of practice and enjoyed her first minutes on the field in the 3-0 win against Emory and Henry. Even with two beat up fingers and in obvious pain she has kept her positive outlook and is the model team player. Determined to improve every day and at the same time make the team better serves as an inspiration to all our players. Great job, Kings!