"Where the trails of passion and purpose meet, begins the path to victory"

After a rough game verse FC Sport we responded in a positive way and came out victorious against JyPk this past Saturday.  This was a very important game; we have not beat this team yet.  The first half was the best we had played all year. Every player was mentally and physically ready.  We were defending and attacking as one unit and connecting all over the field.  In the 20th minute our forward Tia, Linda and I combined, I made a run into the box and Linda chipped a perfect ball to me, I saw that the keeper was out and I chipped her.  I was so excited and my teammates rushed to celebrate with me! I feel as if I have lived this moment before. My adrenaline was pumping as I saw the ball hit the back of the net; it felt as if this were the first time I ever scored. We kept our focus and about five minutes after, Linda scored a great goal from outside the 18. Shortly after that I made a run into the box and got played a ball right across the six; I slide and the ball hit the post but Jenna was right there to finish it off.  I was on the ground and she tackled me in celebration. Jypk fought back and got a goal in the last minute of the half making it 3-1. 

In the second half we knew that JyPk was going to come out hard and hungry.  We held on and had a solid defensive performance.  Jamie made some good saves and our back four had a great game. About half way through the half  Tia (our forward) got played a ball through and scored.  The game ended at 4-1.  At the end of the game both teams  meet in the center circle, sometimes awards and prizes are given.  I got player of the game.  I was honored and excited but my team as a whole deserved that award this game.  Everyone had a great game and stepped up all over the field.

 This win was big and we are now tied for first.  There are only two games left, if we win the last two games we will stay in first no matter what. Our next game is not until a week from saturday.  We made a goal before this part of the season and we are very close to reaching it. We are going to continue to work hard in practice and prepare for the up and coming challenges. This team is really a great group.  I am proud to be apart of it!

"Its not about how hard you hit... Its all about how hard you get hit and keep moving forward." Rocky

In the movie Rocky I, Rocky is known as a small time boxer that is looked at as nothing but a bum. He works hard and ends up defeating heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. Rocky wins the heavyweight championship and has made a name for himself but in the beginning of the movie Rocky III, Rocky is overpowered by a stronger opponent (Lang).  He gets hit hard and knocked out in the second round...

In Saturday's game I got hit! In the last minute of the game, me and a girl from FC sport went up for a 50-50 ball and our heads collided.  I felt some pain but I got up.  I just wanted to finish the rest of the game out.  Lotta (our center back) told me I was bleeding and told me to stay down.  I heard her speak Finnish to the ref and I had to come off the field.  It was bleeding pretty bad but luckily I did not need stitches.

At the end of Rocky III, Rocky trains harder and meets Lang back in the ring.  He outboxes him and knocks him out in the third round.  Rocky got "hit" and kept "moving forward." I think that is an important statement; not just in sports but in life in general. 

We did not have our best game of the season and FC sport played very well on saturday.  It was not our day; Sport won deservingly. This is game is just a bump in the road and we are still in good standings. An old coach of mine told me you have 24 hours to think about a loss or celebrate a win.  After that it is time to move forward and focus on the next task.  There are three games left.  We have a strong team.  After a good week of practice we will be ready mentally and physically to take on JyPk on Sunday. We got "hit" but now its time to get ready to get back in the "ring."

"Winners don't wait for chances, they take them" Unknown

Our last game verse Kuusysi was dramatic! We started out the game strong and Linda scored a 30 yard bomb in the first 10 minutes of the game.  Kuusysi had very few opportunities and we created many chances throughout the half.  Everything was connecting.
 
In the second half Kuusysi fought back and scored a goal making it 1-1.  We continued to press and created many opportunities.  They had a few strong players but our defenders did extremely well shutting them down.  Getting one point for a tie would have been a good result for the game, but we do not play for a tie! In the 90th minute our outside back Heddi won the ball and hit a bending ball to the far post that resulted in an unbelievable goal.  She celebrated with both fists in the air and the whole team dog piled her.  It must have looked like we had won a world championship; it felt like it. The final whistle was blown and GBK was victorious.

I was proud of everyone on the team.  Everyone played a part in the victory. Now with our goals still in mind we have been preparing for our game on Saturday. This game is huge; if we win we will hold our first place position and will be at least four points ahead of everyone.  We are playing FC Sport at home!  Sport is a good side and they are going to be a good challenge. My team and I am fit for the fight!

In an off the field note life in Finland is going really well.  I have become a coffee drinker.  The Finns love coffee and on average they drink 5-6 cups a day. I did some research on how coffee effects an athletes body and I found that caffeine can enhance performance in endurance sports. It is known to increase respiratory functions and improve nervous system feedback.  I have become a regular at this local cafe in town; the workers now know my order.  It is called Media Cafe and the other Americans and I will meet there often for coffee and lunch.  It is a nice place and the people are so friendly.  I bring my computer and I write about my experiences, read, catch up on e-mails, and practice my swedish (rosetta stone). It is a nice place and a perfect spot!

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle

Last Saturday we had an away game verse Viikingit.  We woke up early and took the train to Helsinki.  It is about a five hour train ride but I like taking the train; it is comfortable and its nice to see different parts of the country.  Everyone was excited for the game and eager to get the three points.  We arrived to Helsinki and were ready for the fight physically and mentally.
 
The game started and we ended up giving up an early goal but that didn't stop us.  The whole team continued to press and Tia finished one off.  It was a good goal and a great ball making it 1-1.  We worked together as one unit and kept Viikingit on their half.  Shortly before the half Tia received another great ball, she was composed and found the back of the net making it 2-1.

 In the second half things seemed to just click, we limited Viikingit's chances and created numerous opportunities with our combination play.  The passing and movement off the ball was extremely good at times.  The score remained 2-1 and we came home with the three points that we wanted!

We are only two games into the series but as of right now we are in a strong position with 7 points and are now in first place.  We have another away game near Helsinki this Saturday and we are going for nothing less than a win. Everyone on the team has a really good attitude and we are focused on our goal.

I have to say I have been really enjoying the soccer in Finland.  I really look forward to every time I get to step out on the field and every game.  I almost feel as if I am a little kid again because I get so excited over the smallest things.  Below is a video of some of my favorite speeches in movies.  It is different people doing the unthinkable.  I can be kind of corny sometimes but I love stuff like this.  There should be more of it.