100-Percent Cotton
8/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 27, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - "100-Percent Cotton" is a blog contributed by senior defender Jessica Cotton. The blog will give fans a look at the inner workings of the SFA soccer program. Look for weekly updates each Tuesday. Following is the season's first installment.
JC: Just short of a month ago, we Ladyjacks joined forces again to begin our journey toward another Southland Conference Championship, NCAA Tournament berth, and the hopes of our first NCAA Tournament win. Due to numerous bumps and bruises of last year's team, we were all very eager to see what this season would bring. With a new coaching staff, fresh young faces, and the bulk of last year's team returning, we entered the most dreaded day of the season ... fitness testing! Preparation started months prior, but the combination of nerves, the new college life, and it being 6:30 in the morning did nothing to help out. Although everyone got over that road block, little did we know that our next adventure was just around the corner.
After a few days of practice, Friday rolled around and, to say the least, we were more than excited to know the weekend was upon us. Much to our surprise and dismay, the Ladyjack soccer team learned late that night of our upcoming trip to Whispering Pines (the camp became known as Whispering Spines for the ache the horrible beds put on our backs). It started as a "game." We were given thirty minutes and a list of items to pack. Each one of us ran, and I literally mean ran, recklessly, out of the field house. We got into our vehicles, and we were off to the races. Packed and ready to go, our team bonding began. No air-conditioning, no cell phones, no computers, no television, no contact with the outside world. We fought it at first, but we knew the only way to get through it was by coming together. Tuesday, Aug. 12 was a special day. Not only was it my birthday, but it was our hopeful date of departure. We had cabin fever, bites from all types of bugs, a new love for our own beds, and top-secret information that only teammates could know.
After leaving camp, our minds were focused on the upcoming Oklahoma exhibition game. The team departed on Thursday, and, since I had been sidelined with an ankle injury, I kept up with the team and their many adventures via my wonderful cellular device. My teammates called, sent text messages, and even a few picture messages to keep me laughing. I hear through the grapevine that on the six-hour bus ride, movies were playing, but no one was watching. Tired from pre-season, the girls slept as best they could. They arrived in Norman, Okla., checked into the hotel and went to practice, all within a matter of minutes. Due to lightning, practice was cut short. Once back at the hotel, the team realized, and even relayed to me, that every inch of wall space was covered with Oklahoma Sooner memorabilia. Quite impressive, but intimidating for traveling teams to see. Friday came along, and away game days usually consist of an extremely large amount of down time. Once night fell, the game was on. The first-half score ended as a zero-zero tie, but the hard-fought battle ended up going Oklahoma's way. It was a tough loss, but that game proved our potential for the upcoming season.
After returning from Oklahoma, we had a week of hard practices and seemed ready for our Aug. 22 match against the TCU Horned Frogs. The team, once again, left Thursday for Dallas. They would go through the same routine, but were happy to be staying in Texas. After the first ten minutes of play, TCU had jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. The game would quickly get out of hand as the first half score ended at three-zero. I've learned that as my teammates were going into the locker room, they knew the game was not over, but they had an uphill battle in front of them. However, the game ended in a lop-sided score of 5-0, and we are trying to put that game behind, while still learning that the season is far from over.
As we look ahead to our first home game under the lights, there are emotions running wild. The new faces are excited to begin their journey as Ladyjacks. Those who have been with us are thrilled for the chance to capture another conference title. Lastly, for the six seniors on this year's team, we are going to do our very best to make this season a memorable one for ourselves and those teammates, coaches, friends, and families who praised, tolerated, suffered, supported and walked beside us in our years as Ladyjacks. Until next time.
-- SFA --
