Bring On August!

Megan Wingenbach

We are quickly reaching the end of July, and the thought of August brings one word to the minds of all Lady Hawk soccer players. That-Which-Must-Not-Be-Named, the word we all dread… (preseason). Today as I was struggling to recover after a long run in 100 degree heat, I started rethinking what actually is our biggest hurdle to get through in preparing for the season. Yeah, our two-a-days are beyond rough; they cause you to groan every time you get out of bed and hurt in places you didn’t think you were even using. But I think what we put ourselves through even before that point is overlooked.

For three months we are entirely on our own. It is up to us to come back to school in the best shape we can possibly be, and that is a hard task to accomplish without having someone there pushing you. A lot of the girls, like myself, work full time and the last thing you want to do after a long day at work is go out in the heat and run. It’s easy to think it is just a little too hot for a workout today and skip it, or tell yourself you’re tired and can’t keep going when no one is watching. It takes something inside to constantly fight for all those weeks to get better and come back as physically ready as you can.

Mastroianni and Wings
Center Midfielders

There is one huge highlight of returning to school, and that is our team. When it comes to our preseason at Quincy, let’s be honest, there is no easing into it. From day one we hit the ground running, or sprinting I should say. Being that this is my fourth time around, you would think things get easier after each year. They don’t. However, I have never been on a more supportive team before, and we get through every challenge and every minute of those days together. You can hear the encouragement on the field from all aspects, whether it’s fighting through a fitness test or someone’s shot to the upper 90. We push each other far beyond our limits, and that’s what gets us to that next level. I think we're all ready to get out there and see what we can make of 2011.

Megan Wingenbach
2011 Senior Lady Hawk

Meet 2011 Freshmen: Kayla Nurnberger

Preseason According to Aimee

Aimee Ubriaco

I could talk about how excited we are for this season or how hard everyone is working this summer to become bigger, faster, and stronger. But I won’t. Those are all givens. August is approaching fast, and right now I’m not going to focus on those looming fitness tests or those exhausting two-a-days. Because this girl is more excited to get back and hang with my teammates all day, every day playing soccer.

I’m already thinking about who my first squirt-in-the-face victim is at the first water break.

I’m preparing for the first backside I snipe with a soccer ball. (Watch out Drewett).

I’m pumped for the very first joke about Teeny…and it doesn’t even have to be me to make it.

I’m waiting to see how many ice bags Jaclyn can strap to her body after practice while then chasing down her ride because it took her 20 minutes to load up that cargo!

I wait anxiously for that moment you have to tell your locker neighbor that a fresh pair of socks is a must.

My mouth waters thinking about the delicious hot dogs and hamburgers Grill-Master Dave will make us the night after the first practices.

I can’t wait to laugh while Sam Martinez wrings out her shirt after 10 minutes into the first day.

I’m anticipating the workers at the first meal at the café to be quite annoyed with us for moving the tables together. What can we say; we’re just a close team.

I’m already planning out my first few locker room pranks. They’re innocent enough; just keep an eye on your shoes…both of them!

And most importantly, I’m waiting for that very first bomb of a shot in a small-sided game that gets us all fired up. Or a quick series of passes in a possession game that really get us flowing. Because let’s be real, we’re all ready for that first whistle against Southwest Baptist, and we’ll be ready to play!

In all seriousness, the practices are tough and exhausting and I love that, but it’s not like we don’t have our share of fun during preseason! We’re the Quincy Lady Hawks! So let’s clue these newcomers in on how we plan to win soccer games because I’m STOKED!

Aimee Ubriaco
2011 Senior Lady Hawk