UMSC G92 RED Strikers: College Showcasing
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| College Tour |
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COLLEGE SHOWCASING PROGRAM
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| Pointers from Paul Shaw |
The objective of our trip was to combine a US tournament (the MSSL Spring Challenge in New Jersey ) with a spring training camp, and to introduce the players to the US College admission process through campus visits, and meetings with College coaches and admissions staff.
After learning that the MSSL Spring Challenge Tournament was canceled due to bad weather, the coaching staff re-vamped the itinerary, and the 15 excited players along with 18 accompanying family members set off in four minivans and 2 SUVs, on Saturday, March 9th at about 5.30 a.m.
First stop was Princeton University, New Jersey , one of the worlds most renowned universities (Ivy League & NCAA Div. 1). The highlight of this visit was the opportunity for the girls to meet Diana Matheson, a starter on the Canadian national team and a Princeton Junior. Diana was kind enough to give us a conducted tour of the impressive campus and its beautiful surroundings. Diana also provided information about thee admission requirements for our student athletes. Go Tigers!!
After a morning of shopping in New Jersey , we left for Lynchburg , Virginia , a 7 hour drive away, and our HQ for the next 5 days. We had our first experience of southern hospitality from the staff at the Holiday Inn. They went out of their way to make us comfortable and even provided a separate parlour for team meetings and for the adults to relax in after curfew!
On Monday we met up with our host Paul Shaw, head coach at Sweet Briar College , who outlined the weeks busy itinerary. Liberty University (NCAA Div.1) was our first stop for the day where head coach James Price conducted a training session. This was followed by an extensive campus visit (the College is a Christian institution founded by Rev. Dr. Jerry Falwell). Later that afternoon Paul Shaw conducted his own training session at Sweet Briar College .
We started the day on Tuesday with a campus tour of Sweet Briar College. Although a small liberal arts school (NCAA Div.3) that focuses on academics, it still has a lot to offer and we were all quite impressed. (Some of the girls were probably not too keen on the idea of it being an all girls school!!). Paul conducted a valuable classroom session where he gave the players information on the college admissions processes and the pre-requisites which will assist our young players in their preparation for their post-secondary education. A practice session and pick up game with specific plays being coached in a live-game situation ended our 3rd day.
Another private school, Lynchburg College (NCAA Div.3) was first on the agenda for Wednesday. After lunch in the school cafeteria, Coach Olsen conducted a training session, working on attacking and finishing drills. At the end of the day, we were able to use what we had learned in the previous sessions with a practice game against a local club team. The drills and strategies that all the coaches worked on the previous sessions all came together and we won the game by an impressive 6-0 margin. Some of the girls played in different and unaccustomed positions and they all proved to be very successful; this in turn, has provided plenty of new options for our coaching staff to consider for the upcoming summer season. At the end of the game both teams had an opportunity to mingle and if the exchange of e-mail addresses is indicative, the girls made a number of new friends.
Paul Shaw delivered yet another fabulous training session on Thursday morning prior to our trip to Charlottesville where we visited the University of Virginia (UVA). UVA is a top tier university with one of the most renowned athletic programs in the US . Assistant Coach Ron Raab gave us a tour of the athletic facilities these were very impressive a Q&A session in the locker room of UVAs womens soccer team provided the players and accompanying parents with insight into what it takes to be recruited by a top tier soccer program and a realistic view of scholarship opportunities at such schools.
After 4 days of superb weather temperatures actually hit 30 degrees - and loads of information to absorb, we set out on our return journey on Friday morning. Within two hours, weather realities hit us, but the awful driving conditions could not deter the girls from a planned shopping expedition in northern Virginia . After an overnight stop just outside Pittsburg , we returned home on Saturday afternoon, exhausted, yet exhilarated that we had managed to accomplish so much. The players now have a great understanding of the US college admission process and requirements, academic and scholarship opportunities available, and what they must now do to achieve their soccer and academic goals.
We now look forward to the rest of our program, which includes attending progressively more challenging showcase tournaments, guidance on college admission & SAT preparation, and more college visits to other parts of the US .
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| Setting up the net! |
Sunday, February 3
COLLEGE SHOWCASING
The UMSC G92 RED Strikers are excited to report that they have been accepted to play in the Jefferson Cup, the #3 ranked college showcase tournament in the US. This will be the 3rd event in our showcasing program, following our successful camp and 5 college tour during March break 07, and the MAPS tournament last December. At least 2-3 more events are to follow this year.
Monday, June 19
UMSC U14A Girls Champions in the UMSC U15 Tournament!
Congratulations to the UMSC GU14A Strikers for a terrific showing in the UMSC U15 Tournament. The team played extremely well in the intense heat to capture the title in the U15 tournament. A great weekend of soccer, girls!
Monday, August 7
Brossard International Tournament U14 Winners!!!
The U14A UMSC team travelled to Montreal to compete in the Brossard International Tournament on August 5th and 6th. The girls were undefeated as they advanced to the finals, where they continued to play well, winning the final game by a score of 3 - 0. Congratulations, girls, on your excellent level of play and sportsmanship! Well done... we are all very proud of you!!