Nov. 24, 2008 (Final Entry)
We started the week out with a few super cold practices. The weather was something we just had to get used to, because it wasn't going to change.
Our game Wednesday against Spring Arbor was one of the hardest fought games all year. Though going down by a goal three different times, we fought back each time to tie the game. After two overtimes, the game was decided in penalty kicks, never something we wanted to happen.
We lost in PK's and ended our season. It was definitely a tough loss to swallow, and a sad time to know it was the last game for our seniors.
Nov. 17, 2008
This past week for the soccer team involved some not-so-great weather. We continued to prepare for our NCCAA tournament game, though we didn't know what day it would be nor who it would be against. During the middle of the week we had a "semi" scrimmage against some alumni and current students. After three weeks of no competition, it was good to play against someone else.
We finally found out on Saturday evening who we would we playing this week, Spring Arbor on Wednesday. Sunday we all went to coach's house for dinner and a small meeting to talk about the week. We had spaghetti, watched football, and some of the guys tried their hand at Rock Band on Nintendo Wii. It's a good thing that we play soccer rather than play in bands.
Everyone is excited and ready to go as we get set for our game. No game is for certain, but everyone is excited and we are confident in ourselves and ready to play. Hopefully the game turns out well, so we can move on in the tournament.
Nov. 10, 2008
The season so far has been full of twists and turns. Coming out of preseason, we felt we were a very strong team. The start of the season was pretty rough, as we only went 1-6, losing most of those games by only a goal. The team stuck together and kept working and we turned our season around. We now sit 8-9-1 and are waiting to see who we will play in the NCCAA playoff.
Outside of soccer so far this season, the team has been involved in a number of activities. Quite a few players were coaches for the 4 and 5 year old soccer league here in town. This is a highlight every year getting to hang out with little kids and simply be enthusiastic and help them have fun.
Another group of players from our team have helped run a homeschool soccer ministry on Saturday mornings in Springfield. I don't have all the numbers, but I am pretty sure this year was by far the biggest turnout yet.
Another exciting ministry the team was able to be involved in this year was what we called the "Big Give." We were split into three teams and each given a family or person in Cedarville with some needs. Our job was to simply meet those needs as best we could and as big as we could. So, during preseason (and even continues throughout the season) guys would help out at those homes. Some of these activities were rearranging the house, cleaning, painting, fixing windows, buying groceries or other needed items for the house, transportation when needed, etc. It was great to see these guys being a blessing to people in need and getting to show God's love to them.
Back to soccer; this past weekend was a big recruit weekend. This means we had over 20 high schoolers here for the weekend trying out for the team. They had some practices and a scrimmage so the coaches could evaluate them. And in addition to that, they were able to spend time and interact with out team. They were divided up among our players to stay over night and hang out and get a small glimpse of what it is like to be a part of the Cedarville program.
Jason Cunningham, a senior academically who grew up in the village of Cedarville, is in his third season with the Yellow Jackets. He is a Dean’s List student as a sport management and exercise science major.
