Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Soccer Diary No. 9
May 25, 2009 | Cowgirl Soccer
May 25, 2009
Cheerio Cowgirl Fans!
This will be the final blog from the United Kingdom as Cowgirl Soccer departs from Glasgow Airport today to return to Stillwater. It has been an amazing trip on so many levels -- cultural experience, tremendous soccer, and the opportunity to grow together as a team (especially when Kasey found Jee-sus on the haunted tour).
We would all like to say a giant THANK YOU to our Tour Coordinator, Martin Tierney. His connections within the soccer world have helped us experience parts of the world that very few will ever get to see. His arrangements of hotels, food, and matches have been simply brilliant when you consider how picky and grumpy a group of girls can get after 10 days! If you have a chance, please visit his website www.soccerexperience.com to learn more about him.
After spending the night in Durham, England, we departed for Sunderland to play on their training ground in probably the hottest day in Northern England's history. After playing four games in the past six days, our legs were a wee bit heavy. Sunderland was able to capitalize and score in the first five minutes of the match. We battled back to keep the score 1 nil going into halftime.
After a rousing halftime talk, we came out fired up and ready to play. Katie Richardson was able to find Annika Niemeier for a goal in the 46th minute to knot up the score. Unfortunately, Sunderland was able to capitalize on the most dangerous five minutes in soccer (after a goal is scored) and make the score 2-1.
The two teams traded shots for the next few minutes until we were able to even the score at 2-2 with Kasey Langdon crossing a beautiful ball to Annika Niemeier. A victory was not to be had, however, as Sunderland was able to score the game winner just a few minutes later. All in all, it was not the result we wanted, but the game will provide us a great experience to call upon when we face adversity defending our Big 12 Championship this fall.
Following a brief shower -- where Bridget chose not to shave her legs AGAIN -- we were able to tour Sunderland's facility (in blue surgical booties) and then headed out to watch the men of Chelsea play Sunderland in a professional game in the Stadium of Light. Sunderland was facing relegation to a lower league and playing a collection of all stars in Chelsea. Sunderland fought valiantly, but ended up losing 3-2. However, the town rejoiced because they were able to stay in the first division due to other team's losses.
Soccer is not a game here, it's a way of life. The game may have been lost, but the spectators were thrilled that their squad maintains it's spot in the first tier of English Premier League Soccer.
Back on the bus, with a police escort (they thought we were Chelsea fans and who were we to argue?) and our outstanding and sunburned bus driver/luggage engineer Jim, we ate a quick bucket of chicken from KFC and headed back to Glasgow.
This trip has been a real blessing, and we will all look back fondly on the opportunity to travel overseas. Thanks to all the Goal Club members, the OSU administration and coaches, and Martin for all the planning and consideration that went into this priceless trip.
-- Siera Strawser
