Carrie Eckenhoff

Past Entries

Entry 1

September 13, 2004

Accompanied by the men's soccer team, we embarked on a weekend adventure to the picturesque town of Cary, North Carolina, also home to Beth Wilson, Laurel O'Neal, and Kristine Falk. The trio of families combined forces with a handful of other devoted parents, who had made the trek out to NC, to supply us with all the motherly and fatherly cooking and cheering we could ask for in a weekend.

Friday night we arrived at the Comfort Inn by bus and were promptly greeting by an ice cream sundae smorgasbord, a la Ms. Taylor (Laurel's mom). It was also the lucky day of some other guests and their children, who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

After a good night's rest, the following morning we enjoyed a team breakfast at the Wilson Residence (well worth the "scenic" bus ride) as we prepared, again with the men's team, for our evening game against Wheaton College (Ill.) in SAS Park Stadium.

The Wheaton game was truly a test of heart and endurance, as we entered the second half with a weakened morale due to a loss of several injured players. While the 3-0 loss was a result we were unhappy with, it is a testament to the character of the team that despite a concern for injured players and exhaustion of playing down, everyone played hard and intense until the end.

We gained confidence that night in preparation for Sunday's game as we met in the hotel to regroup and reenergize each other. The following morning after a lovely complimentary breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and took off for our 1:30 p.m. game against the College of New Jersey.

After a slow start-up due to sock changing and brace taping and important tasks that should always take place exactly one minute before kickoff, we entered into yet another trying battle. The several-time NCAA champs proved to be a tough match, and while again we are disappointed with the result, the game was an uplifting improvement from the previous night. Our focus from here on out will be constant improvement so that we are ultimately unbeatable in the UAA, starting with our first game October 2nd at home vs. U of Chicago.

The bus ride home, though long, provided entertainment and comic relief in the form of Schnozberries and Farva, people watching at the Golden Corral buffet, and the chanting of some special boys on the men's team that never got old.

Alas we are back in Atlanta, mentally, emotionally, and physically beat. However, we take away from this weekend a bond deepened by the struggles we at times endured, and by the enthusiasm for the rest of the season that has hardly begun. .

Carrie Eckenhoff is a senior from Glencoe, Ill. She would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.