Liz's Log: Season Has Been Emotional Roller Coaster
Perspectives on Toro Women's Soccer
October 4, 2005

With big wins like our OT victory over Seattle University, but upsetting losses to Seattle Pacific and UC San Diego, this season has been an emotional roller coaster so far. Our emotions are so strong because we all know that we are a great team with excellent talent, but there are some days where we don't show it.

To me, losing to UCSD was very upsetting because we have such a rivalry with them. In my previous three years here, there has only been one other game where we didn't show up to play, and that was the CCAA championship in 2003 when we lost 5-0 -- what a shocker! This last game against them, we didn't bring our heart which, to me, is the biggest part of the game. We weren't a team that day and the results showed.

Since then, after hearing our coaches say that "A win cures all evil," we traveled and won at Cal State San Bernardino, came back home and beat Grand Canyon, and were all smiles. We have been since then, and I hope it continues until the end of the season.

On a personal note, I have been struggling with a concussion for a while now and I am anxious and ready to play. It's hard to be a spectator at games, and it's extremely hard to sit on the bench at practice and watch your team work hard, knowing you can't join them.

Watching them run was very hard because they were working their butts off as I sat there drinking water. But now, hopefully, I have fully recovered and that won't happen again. It's my senior year and I want to feel like I'm a part of the team again!

One person who has to sit out the rest of the season due to injury is Natalie Taracena. I'm so sorry Nat, we all love you and hope you get better soon!

Coach Joe paraphrased a John Wooden quote at practice the other day, saying "If you don't prepare to win, you are preparing to fail."

This, to me, applies to soccer, but I believe it can apply to everyone on a daily basis. There are times when many of us expect things to just come to us, but we have to work at things in order for them to be successful. Like a relationship for example, with a little bit of work and adjustments, it will be successful.

We hope to see you all this week as we take on Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus this weekend.

Go Toros!

Liz