In her first season as a college soccer player, UE freshman midfielder Sam Conrad will chronicle her initial journey through college life and women's soccer in the Missouri Valley Conference. To comment on Conrad's Chronicles, please click here.
Blog Entry #8 - November 20, 2008
Happy Thursday everyone!
So Thanksgiving break is coming closer and closer, and I am really excited. I get to go home woo!!! I am really excited to see my family and all my friends back in the heat of Arizona. The weather here in Indiana is freezing! Yet everyone keeps telling me that it only gets worse. I really am in for a treat this winter. I think I have forgotten what sunshine feels like. Anywho, onto more pressing matters.
Soccer season ended as you all may have heard. We had an excellent run though. We made it all the way to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001. It was super exciting. Our team was sooo good!!!! I am honored to have had the opportunity to play with every single one of those girls on that team. We had a great season and I couldn't have asked for it to have gone any better my very first year here. I just want to congratulate all our seniors, and our coaches Matt and Krista for the best season ever. You guys rock. I really am looking forward to next year. I hope it will be just as amazing as it was this year.
Song of the week: Artist: Usher. Song: Moving Mountains. (This one is for you Kasey ;)
Shout out this week goes to Mike Luttrull... You're smart.
Have an awesome Thanksgiving break everyone!!!
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Your Comments:
Enjoying your blog and the soccer news. We are looking forward to the team
coming to Iowa!! Hope all is going well (and you are studying hard!!)
Love,
Aunt Janet and Uncle Dave
Posted January 22 9:03 AM
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Blog Entry #7 - November 6, 2008
Hey Hey Hey everyone!
So this past week at school, I feel like I have been studying all day every day...that's all I ever do anymore!!!! It is getting really close to Thanksgiving and I am really excited about that, but that means tests and projects due soon!! School isn't the most important thing on my mind right now though...it's soccer!!
Yesterday at noon we left for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Let me tell you, everyone is so excited!!!! We found out yesterday that Indiana State beat Drake, and Missouri State beat Creighton...unbelievable!!!! We know for sure that we have to come in on Friday and play the best soccer we've ever played before. We want this championship more than anything and anyone. We are NOT leaving here without a championship ring...NO EXCEPTIONS!!! This is really exciting for me because this is my first experience in this tournament, and there is so much going on...I love it! I can't even wait to step on that field and get a little taste of victory tomorrow...it's gonna be amazing!!!!!
The weather isn't supposed to be very warm.. (bad for me, I'll freeze!) The forecast says that it is supposed to be cold and snowy. SNOWY?!?!?! Are we allowed to play in the snow? But it's ok, we will deal with it...NOTHING phases Aces Soccer!
Anyways, there isn't much else to say except we are super excited for this coming weekend, and hope to be tournament champs on our way back to Evansville!
Shout out this week- Richard Menjivar, he scored his first collegiate goal last Sunday! It was an amazing shot!!!!
Song of the week- (This may be a little silly, but oh well) Hakuna Matata from the Lion King Soundtrack! =)
Have an excellent weekend!!!
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Your Comments:
Hi Sam! I am so excited for you and your team. I can't believe you will see snow before me. It is totally different when you play in it. Just keep warm and wear your underarmour and you will be fine. Just think, Thanksgiving is around the corner and you will be with family and friends. Love Ya!
Posted by Libby
November 10 8:47 AM
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Blog Entry #6 - October 30, 2008
Well well well, it's time for another blog update. Really sorry about the time lapse in between, I have just been so busy! But, that means that there is a lot to talk about! ;)
School has been so hectic lately! There has been so much to do, like homework and studying for tests. Since it is nearing Thanksgiving, I feel like all my teachers are trying to cram as much information into my brain as fast as possible! Ahhh!!! It also about that time to start registering for Spring classes. It's so weird! I have no idea what to register for, so I have like 81 meetings set up with my advisers to figure it out. Halloween is in a few days too! I'm really excited for it...except I still can't figure out what exactly I should be, anyone have any good suggestions?
So since winter is creeping up on me, I am starting to experience this whole "cold" sensation. The other day I swear I had frost on my eyebrows. It was super cold. I wore a sweatshirt and a jacket...I've never done that before except for when I go snowboarding in Flagstaff! All the girls keep laughing at me because they say I am in for a long winter...I am scared!!! I'm not sure if I am going to be able to leave my dorm! I think it's about time for me to break out the big puffy jacket. Last night at about 12:30 in the morning we had a fire drill. My roommate Kasey just laid down to go to bed and was there for about five minutes when we heard sirens. At first I thought there might be a tornado or something, but then we heard people yelling to get out of the building. Thankfully, it was nothing serious.
As for soccer, we are now 11-3-2. We can't even wait for the conference tournament and just prove to everyone that we deserve to go to the NCAA tournament. This week of practice, we have decided to work really hard and bring back the intensity that we want to play like in games. I am really proud of everyone and their dedication to the team. We all play a part on the team to make the team better as a whole. I love this soccer program, and want to make it the best season for everyone. Other than that, soccer is going amazing.
Shout-outs this week go to my Grandma and Grandpa Conrad - Thanks for those delicious cookies Grandma, and Thanks Conrad family for making it out to the Drake game! I love you guys! Another shout-out goes to my Mom for always taking time out of her busy schedule on the weekends to come and watch me play. Your support means the world to me, I love you!!!
Song of the Week: Artist: Cartel Song: The Minstrel's Prayer.
Happy Halloween!
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Your Comments:
Nothing but A’s in the class room and W’s on the field!! Good luck at the MVC tournament!! We will be there!!
Posted by Jim Conrad
November 2 4:29 PM
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Hi Sam. Just no flip flops or those toes will be reallllll cold. Good luck this weekend in your game. Ill be watching for the results. Take care. Love ya.
Posted by Libby K.
November 3 10:52 AM
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Hey!!!! Looking forward to seeing you in Omaha. Bring your warm clothes I hear we could get some SNOW. Go Purple Aces.
Posted by Grandma & Grandpa C
November 4 9:54 AM
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Hey Sam:
Believe it or not, you aunt and uncle in Cedar Falls have been following your season through the website, and have enjoyed reading your blog. It looks as if you have made the most of your freshman year at Evansville. Good luck this weekend at the MVC tournament, but watch out for those UNI Panthers (still need to root for the home-town team)!
Posted by Dan and Connie C.
November 5 10:08 AM
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Sam, good luck this weekend, I love you!
Posted by Terri C.
November 5 8:17 PM
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Blog Entry #5 - October 8, 2008
Hey Guys!
The last few days have been crazy as well!!! But thank goodness is almost fall break... Everyone needs time off from school... studying is becoming a chore! I can't wait to relax and just play soccer and not have to worry about making sure I wake up for class. It's weird because at times I feel like I have so much to do, and other times it feels like I have nothing to do. But classes are getting even more interesting as the semester rolls on. Instead of tests, I have like 81 papers due... okay not that many, but it feels like it! Yesterday was an interesting day for me, because it rained hardcore. Now I am not so sure I enjoy the rain as much as I thought I would because let me tell you, I was freezing!!!! I had to walk all the way across campus with no umbrella in the rain... It was pretty cool for a few minutes, but then my limbs started going numb. So I am still deciding if I like the rain as much as I used to... Maybe I would enjoy it more from inside a building.
I have a lot to talk about for soccer! We had our first road win at Missouri State!!!! That was a big game for us, because we are now currently 3-0 in conference! Our record is 8-2-2, and we are looking to improve that with another win this Friday at Drake. Although we have accomplished something so spectacular, we still need to stay focused and concentrate on everything. Every game is just as important as the first one. We want to go in to the conference tournament number 1, and expect to come out of it number 1. Other than our big victory, everything is going very well. We just have to keep up our intensity and never settle for anything less than a win.
Shout-out this week goes to my good friend Caiti Hoffman. Keep up your hard work swimming you crazy girl!
Song of the week: Artist: The Temptations. Song: My Girl. I'm bringing back the good 'ol days!
Have a fabulous week!
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Your Comments:
Hi Sam,
Just spoke with Bob Lawrence and he told me about your Blog. I just went in and read the 8 Oct. one about the “hardcore” rain and that it was freezing! Too funny! I guess the Arizona sunshine isn’t too bad after all?
Sounds like you are really enjoying playing in college. My daughter, “MJ” is looking at University of Evansville and will be at the Metro United Tournament this coming weekend with I think Matt Kagan will be attending. What can you tell us about the Purple Aces? Megan plays for Gilbert Soccer Club and is a Junior at Highland High on Varsity Soccer.
Write when you can pull yourself away – have fun with your soccer team – they sound like a group of amazing girls.
Sincerely,
Posted by Pam J.
October 28 1:53 PM
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Blog Entry #4 - September 25, 2008
Hello Hello!
It has been a hectic last few weeks, so sorry for the delayed blog posts. Lets see where to start....Oh yes! School!
As school has continued, it has been getting harder and harder. There is so much information that is being forced into my brain, I think it's gonna explode soon! Naw, I'm just playing, but I have been studying a lot, and have been engaged in a countless number of hours spent on homework. The material is somewhat interesting, but since there is so much I get a little overwhelmed sometimes. It doesn't help that in high school I was queen of procrastination...that tactic proved to me early I won't make it in college. I had my first Anatomy test, and I will tell you, that thing was difficult. It was like a slap in the face saying, "Welcome to college tests!!!!" Other than all that stress, its still fun of course!!! ;) Except for the day that we got back from SEMO at 2 in the morning, then had an 8 o'clock class that day...that was definitely fun trying to stay awake in class...but it's not like I'm complaining or anything...just simply stating.. =)
As for soccer, we are now currently 5-2-2. We play Illinois State this Saturday at 7 pm. It's our first conference game, and everyone is really pumped to come out and show the world that we are gunning for that conference championship title. This is the part of our season that we believe really matters. We want to prove to everyone that we are the team that deserves to go to the NCAA Tournament this year. We are willing to fight until the end to make sure that happens. Life, as we know it, is gonna change!!!! Except for a few bumps and bruises here and there, most of our girls are healthy. We are working hard to try and keep it that way.
Shout-out for the week goes to Trish Tolen, we love you and are praying for you. Get better soon! We need you back on the field encouraging everyone to become the best player we can possibly be.
Song of the Week: Artist: Jason Mraz. Song: I'm Yours. Excellent lyrics might I add.
Have a good week, and until then, Peace Out.
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Your Comments:
Hi there, we are so proud of you! I love going on the team's website and seeing how great you guys are doing. Keep having fun. Love the Kawamuras.
Posted by Libby K
October 5 9:40 PM
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Nice job! Keep it up, I am proud of you!!
Posted by Jim Conrad
September 29 10:32 AM
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Dear Sam,
Great to have you back via your blog. Always look forward to reading the results of your games. Can't wait to see you on Oct. 10th. Go Purple Aces!
Posted by Grandpa and Grandma C.
October 1 11:13 AM
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Blog Entry #3 - September 6, 2008
Hey Hey Hey!!! So a lot has happened this past week. School started and classes are going good so far. It is really different, but I like it. It definately keeps me very busy. I am given a lot more responsibility to study on my own and make sure I know all the material for the classes. It is really exciting and hard all at the same time. Guess what? It finally rained!!! Not as hard as I expected, but hey, rain is rain right? It was glorious! Other than that, the weather here has been absolutely gorgeous.
As for soccer, we have been improving more and more each game. Our team, as a whole, shows our true character every time we step on the field. We are really starting to click and that just keeps adding to our success. During our road trip to Virginia, Kayla "stud girl" Lambert became the leading scorer at UE, making history. It is such an amazing accomplishment, and everyone is really proud of her, 'atta girl Kayla! Last night, we played Morehead State, and we won 1-0. Our first shutout of the season!!! Congrats to my girl Colleen Marty (freshman) for scoring her very first college goal ever! Tomorrow we play Austin Peay, and we are looking forward to playing them. I'm super stoked for us to play and show everyone how good we really are.
Shout-outs this week go to the Packett family. Thanks for coming out to the game at Virginia Tech, and for the delicious cookies. =)
Song of the week: Artist: M.I.A. Featuring Lil Wayne. Song: Paper Planes Remix... Check it out, it's pretty sick!
Have a happy weekend!!!
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Your Comments:
Hey Sam, I told you we would send you some rain. I'm so glad that you are doing great and that college life suits you well. I just wish you would play this way. Keep on kicking. Love ya.
Posted by Libby
September 6 11:20 PM
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Blog Entry #2 - August 26, 2008
Hello everyone! So, tomorrow is the first day of college for all the freshmen. I must say, I am a little nervous! I don't know what to expect. But I also can't even wait to start classes and begin the first new chapter in my adult life. I have a feeling I am going to get lost. Even though it's a small campus, I will find a way to get lost trying to find my classrooms. But, this is the experience of a lifetime! I still haven't got to witness Evansville rain... Where is it? When it does finally rain, I will be the only girl standing in the middle of the street staring at the sky. What can I say? I'm an Arizona girl, rain is like seeing a llama sitting on your front lawn. Wait, I saw that here too!
As for soccer, we are excited to play Virginia Tech! It's gonna be an intense game. Then we get to turn around and play Radford on Sunday. Aaaaand, it's our first on the road season games. So, this means we get to miss school already. What more could I ask for? Just kidding, but I am super excited to put a beat down on these teams. Everyone has been working really hard lately, and I think it's gonna pay off Friday and Sunday.
My shout-outs for this week go to my good friend Joey Bellus! Thanks for everything you have done for me, you're amazing. UE Women's Soccer- this one is for you. You girls seriously make my life. I am honored to have the chance to play with all of you, and spend most of my time with everyone. You are like my new family, and have helped me adjust to life here when I am so far from home. Love you girls!
Song of the week that I recommend everyone listen to if you haven't already... Band name: Cute Is What We Aim For. Song: Curse of Curves.
Thanks for reading Conrad's Chronicles!!! Until next week, have a wonderful rest of August.
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Your Comments:
Sam--
Have fun in school. Make new friends, but keep the old. Good luck this weekend. I'll send you our rain if you want me to. We think that summer is over here, although I hope not.
Posted by Libby Kawamura
August 27 9:00 AM
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Sam,
Your desire for rain reminds me of Theresa at Powell...ask her about it. Then, when it does rain there, you two should go out to the middle of the courtyard and feed off each other's positive energy. That would be something to see.
Posted by Lee Bagby
August 27 9:56 AM
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Sammy--
You haven't seen the rain yet??? Well, one day it will come and you'll be standing in it taking pictures! HaHa!
As for school, I know you're going to give it your all because you give it you're all on everything you do. Good luck on your first road game against Virginia Tech and just go out and dominate!
Oh, and by the way, good song choice :)
Posted by Trevor
August 27 11:39 AM
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Blog Entry #1 - August 21, 2008
My heart is racing, adrenaline is pumping through my veins. The sun is beating down my back while sweat drips off my face. My muscles are aching, but I have to keep fighting. The ball is passed to me, so I take a touch and... then I wake up. OK, OK, even though it was just a dream, it got me pumped up to play Wright State tomorrow! It's our first official season game, and I have a feeling we are going to dominate! All those two-a-day practices with intense training and sore muscles are about to pay off. Ever since August 6 at 6:30 a.m., my life has consisted of playing soccer, eating and sleeping. Now this is the lifestyle I wouldn't mind having for the rest of my life! ;)
Although school hasn't started yet, I have met a lot of new people. All the girls on the soccer team are awesome. They have made it as easy as possible for me (and all the other freshmen I'm sure) to feel right at home. I am from Arizona, so being in Indiana is a big change for me. I can't even wait for the rain to come!!!! I am really excited to see how hard the rain will fall. The dorm life is a new experience. I have new freedoms being in college, and I love it! As of now, I am just really excited for my first college soccer game tomorrow!! It is gonna be legit!
So for now, peace out kids!
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Your Comments:
We wish you the best of luck in your first college game. We are so proud of you and looking forward to seeing you in Des Moines when you play Drake on October 10th.
Posted by Grandma and Grandpa Conrad
August 22 9:41 AM
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You are awesome and we are so proud of you. Keep up the hard work. I'll keep reading your blog.
Posted by Libby Kawamura
August 23 12:10 AM
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You best know I will be reading up on you each day seeing how you're doing :) HaHa. Congratulations on your big win today in your college soccer debut against Wright State!
Go and make all your dreams into reality and do things big :)
Posted by Trevor
August 23 1:24 AM
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WOW! Sure had no idea this was coming! Great job tonight, nice way to start a season!
Tell coaches Krista, Matt, Corey and teammates Kayla, Rocky and Kasey that I said Hi!
Can't wait to be there in person to see you play!!
Keep playing hard!!
Love you!
Posted by Jim Conrad
August 23 10:47 PM
