PHOTOS FROM FIRST GAME VERSUS SALARA

Copy and paste these different links into a new internet window to see some photos from our first game:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs214.snc4/39038_1509321184144_1567781593_31254137_8059580_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs133.ash2/39982_1509328584329_1567781593_31254218_2035516_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs149.snc4/36831_1509329464351_1567781593_31254230_6841816_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs133.ash2/39982_1509328504327_1567781593_31254216_2774481_n.jpg

VENICE

Today we woke up early as we headed to Venice for the day. We were all very tired as we got back at 2 a.m., the night before following our game, dinner after and the hour and a half trip back to the hotel.

We walked 45 minutes to the pier where we boarded the boat for Venice. It was another hour and a half journey, but the weather was really nice and it was an enjoyable ride.

When we arrived in Venice, we spent the first two hours on a walking tour with our guide Paulo. He was very informative and showed us all around, stopping at St. Mark's square, the many churches and the bridges. Venice is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The architecture and history is just astonishing.

After our tour the girls were free to explore on their own and several of them went on a gondola ride. It is so much better having no cars around. It was a beautiful day and after a lot of walking we left Venice at 5 p.m., for the boat trip back. I will be posting photos sometime soon and will make sure we have a compilation of photos for all the parents when we get back.

MUSTANGS WIN FIRST INTERNATIONAL GAME

On Tuesday, we played our first game against an Italian side. We left on the bus for the hour and a half journey to the field excited and ready to play. We were playing against GS Salara, with the city of Salara close by to the field. We did not realize how amazing this experience was going to be.

The coach, Fabio, was the only one that spoke English so the communication was a little tough, but he was very happy to meet us all. The field was really nice and they had a small stadium. The girls got ready and then we started warming up. They had a live band playing music before the game so it was a great atmosphere. We found out that this was the first female game to be played at this stadium so we were making a little bit of Italian history.

By the time game started, we had around 350 people watching the game. It was unbelievable. We started well and passed the ball around accurately against a quick team. We had several chances to score, but against the run of play, on a very dodgy offside call, they scored.

We bounced back well though as Samantha Novy scored from inside the box after a great turn. Our first international goal!!!

We started to dominate the game and later in the second half, Kayla Curry scored the game winner off a great corner from Katie Decker. We then held on for our first victory on foreign soil! It was great and we got a great round of applause from the huge crowd. The mayor of the city presented our team with a special plaque and we got great photos with the other team.

They then had the live band play music and we had the best homemade Italian meal with the both teams together. It was a great night and we were treated like superstars. It was a long day, but very rewarding.

Women's Soccer Team Arrives in Italy

FINALLY HERE!!!!!

So we finally landed in Italy yesterday after what seemed like days of traveling. It all started with an hour bus journey from Owings Mills to Dulles which was followed by a seven hour flight to Paris where everyone watched a lot of movies, played video games and some were more successful than others at getting sleep; Lauren Weitzman got six hours, I got none!!

We then had a four hour layover in Paris which was a struggle because it was 5 a.m., Paris time so it was bright and tough to find a comfy spot to sleep. The next flight to Venice was only an hour and a half so most of us slept.

After landing in Venice, we met our tour guide Antonella, who has been very helpful, and we finished the marathon journey with an hour bus trip to the hotel. The hotel is really nice, small beds, but the people here have been great. The beach is amazing, only five minutes away, and we also have a pool at the hotel.

We had our first practice yesterday afternoon just to keep everybody awake so we could adjust to the time over here. It was a shaky practice, but the girls worked hard considering the long journey and that it was hot.

We had a nice dinner at the hotel last night and celebrated a few birthdays on the men's side with some birthday cake. We did not want to be left out so we just told the hotel it was Kristin Giauque's birthday also so the hotel got her a little cake with a candle that would not blow out. We made sure to sing happy birthday to her and make her very embarrassed!!

Today, we just finished our pregame practice, then we have the beach or pool until 6:30 p.m. We play our first game tonight against Italian opponents followed by a dinner that is being hosted by the families of the Italian team and their coach so we are all excited for that. We will see what the conversation is like, but I do have my Italian dictionary!

Mustangs Receive NSCAA Gold Team Ethics Award

The Stevenson women's soccer team was one of only nine teams in college soccer, NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA or NJCAA, to receive the Gold Team Ethics Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The award is the most prestigous honor handed out by the NSCAA and is given to those teams who complete the entire season without receiving either a yellow or red card.

I am extremely proud of my team for the way they play the game. We have accomplished so much in the way of wins and statistics, but this is truly a measure of this team's character and ability to play the game with honor amidst fierce competition.

Mustangs Lead NSCAA East With Five Scholar Athletes

After totaling a school record 15 wins on the field this season, the Stevenson women's soccer team made school history off of it as well as the Mustangs had a total of five players named to the 2009 NSCAA Scholar All-East Region Team on Friday. The selections are the first for the team in its 16-year history.

Stevenson's five honorable mention honorees, senior Katie Decker (White Hall/Hereford) and juniors Kaitlyn Amos (Baltimore/Catholic), Brittany Bangert (White Marsh/Eastern Tech), Allison Humphries (Bel Air/John Carroll) and Heather Redding (Street/North Harford), are the most among the 94 selections from 53 teams in the NSCAA's East Region.

The Mustangs were also one of only two schools representing the CAC as Mary Washington junior Sarah Tryon was an honorable mention selection as well.

Eyler Named NSCAA Women's All-South Atlantic Region

Stevenson women's soccer sophomore Stephanie Eyler (Thurmont/Catoctin) was honored on Monday as the first player in school history to receive all-region honors as she was named to the NSCAA Women's NCAA Division III All-South Atlantic Region Second Team.

The 2009 CAC Player of the Year, 2008 CAC Rookie of the Year and two-time All-CAC First Team selection, Eyler was one of three players from the CAC to receive recognition.

Eyler scored a CAC record 22 goals for the second-straight season while adding four assists for a total of 48 points. She also led the CAC in both goals and points for the second consecutive season and in just two years, has totaled 44 goals and 97 points in only 40 career games.

Eyler is 10 goals shy of the 12-year-old all-time CAC record held by Goucher's Sarah Weaver and only 32 points short of the career points record set by Weaver and Erin Kuhn of York (Pa.)