By Abby Zylstra '08

Click here for photo gallery of team trip

The women's soccer team traveled to San Diego for four days and five nights over Labor Day weekend. They played two games, went sight-seeing, participated in a Church service, and most of all, bonded as a team. The team played two very strong California teams, Azusa-Pacific and Point Loma Nazarene. Calvin fell to nationally-ranked Azusa Pacific, 2-1 but came back to top Point Loma Nazarene, 2-1.

“It was really good competition. We played tough teams,” said junior Jill Capel ( Hudsonville , MI ). “It helped us learn how to play against a physical team.”

In its opening game loss to Azusa-Pacific, Calvin took a 1-0 halftime lead but could not hold on as Azusa-Pacific scored two second half goals including the game-winner with just over minute left in regulation. In its win over Point Loma Nazarene, Calvin took a 2-0 lead and then hung on in the closing minutes with senior goalkeeper Linda Heilman (Byron Center, MI) making a critical save on a shot that appeared headed for the back of the net with just a minute left to play.

“The first game, we had the talent to compete and we refined some things,” said head coach Mark Recker. “We made some adjustments for the second game and we improved.”

“Our trip gave us opportunities,” said senior Kara Zuidema ( Escondido , CA ). “It allowed us to play two very good teams, and it gave us a goal to work toward the rest of the year.”

Point Loma Nazarene hosted the tournament both games on a lush field adjacent to the Pacific Ocean .

“The setting was so cool,” said sophomore Kate Otten ( Sheboygan , WI ). “The grass was really short – like artificial turf. It was great to play on.”

When the team wasn't playing in the tournament, it had the chance to for sight-seeing around San Diego , including visits to the ocean and to the San Diego Zoo.

“The zoo was really fun,” said Capel.

“We went out to eat several times and got to know each other better that way,” said freshman Ashley Bolen ( Urbana , IL ).

Near the end of the trip, the team participated in a Sunday morning church service in Zuidema's hometown of Escondido . The players participated in the morning service by greeting, singing in the service, and serving coffee afterward.

“It was rewarding to help out,” said Capel. “It gave us an opportunity thank many of the people that made this trip possible.”

“The church was warm and inviting,” said Recker. “We were happy we could participate.”

Many of the alumni came to watch the games and the players spent one night in homes of Calvin alumni.

“The alumni hosts were just wonderful,” said Recker. “They made our players feel welcome and special.”

“It was nice to play in front of hometown fans and my parents. It was also fun for my teammates to get a chance to see where I'm from,” said Zuidema. “It really means a lot that people will stay in contact and drive all the way to San Diego to watch us play.”

The entire women's soccer team went on the trip, including ten freshmen, which allowed for the team to have a valuable bonding experience.

“It brought us together - we got to know people really quick,” said Capel. “We have a really big team (26 members), so we needed that time to bring us together.”

“It really brought us closer because we were just with each other,” said Bolen. “It brought us together as a family, not just teammates.”

“The team bonded really fast - it really happened fast,” said Recker. “Being in a plane and an airport - you have a lot of time together.”

“It was a good bonding experience and a trip that we'll never forget,” said Capel.