Loras Soccer: Costa Rica 2014

This will be our blog of our preseason trip to Costa Rica in August of 2014.

[lorascollegesoccer]

Highlights from the Zip Line

[lorascollegesoccer]

GoPro Meets Monkey

During breakfast on August 6, a monkey made a new friend with one of our GoPro cameras.

[lorascollegesoccer]

Women's Soccer Highlights vs. San Carlos

In their first match of their preseason trip, the Duhawks handed San Carlos a 5-1 defeat.

[lorascollegesoccer]

Men's Soccer Highlights vs. San Carlos

Mike Pizzello's double (2', 90'+2), led the Duhawks to a 2-1 victory over San Carlos in Costa Rica.

[lorascollegesoccer]

Men's Soccer Reserves Highlights vs. San Carlos

Despite a first half goal from Erik Ziolkowski, the Duhawks fell to San Carlos, 2-1.

[lorascollegesoccer]

Mike Pizzello Game-Winning Goal vs. San Carlos

Senior Mike Pizzello scored the game-winning goal against San Carlos in Loras' first exhibition match of their preseason trip to Costa Rica.

[lorascollegesoccer]

Loras College Soccer Costa Rica Trip: Day Two

[lorascollegesoccer]

Loras Soccer Costa Rica Trip: Day One

[lorascollegesoccer]

DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – Early Saturday morning, the Loras College Men's and Women's Soccer Programs will take to the skies, leaving the Midwest for the tropical climate of San Jose, Costa Rica as part of their traditional preseason trip. Led by their coaching staff, returning sophomores through seniors will be able to get an early start on their seasons with a handful of training sessions and exhibition matches during their stay.

[lorascollegesoccer]

MUELLE DE SAN CARLOS, Costa Rica (Duhawks.com) - Two days down and plenty of memories so far for the contingent of Loras Soccer student-athletes. Monday will be the first sign of competition for the Duhawks as they take on the San Carlos squad Monday afternoon and evening. Be sure to check out the videos, blog posts, and pictures of the team during their trip over on their blog, lorascollegesoccer.tumblr.com

[lorascollegesoccer]

SAN CARLOS, Costa Rica (Duhawks.com) – Since last December, the Duhawks have had their preseason trip to Costa Rica circled on their calendars. With the departure of the class of 2014, there were some question marks that existed, but Monday's match proved to answer some of the uncertainties.

[lorascollegesoccer]

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Duhawks.com) – Days after their thrilling 2-1 victory over San Carlos, the Duhawks took on Liga Deportiva Alajuelense team in search of a victory against their foreign visitors. After falling behind 2-1, Loras converted from the penalty spot in the 64' to draw even with the home side.

[lorascollegesoccer]

Some of my favorite shots from the trip thus far. The scenery is so amazing that pictures don't do it justice, but it's a little taste. Enjoy!

KCCO,

Dill

[lorascollegesoccer]

Had an amazing day zip lining and hanging out on the beach! Can't believe we only have two full days left!

[lorascollegesoccer]

Murph&Trues: Vol. III

Murph and Trues live on day 5 from the sandy shores of Punta Leona.

The beach has been great and the ocean is beautiful. The first match for the men and women was played on Monday night and the outcomes for both looked promising. It gave us a good opportunity to see what we're like back out on the field together playing some futbol.

The women's team dominated with a 5-1 win over San Carlos. They had some outstanding young players ranging from the ages of 13 to 25. As a team we were gratetful to have the opportunity to play the women of San Carlos and the hospitality our opponents showed us was humbling.

Tuesday was a tough travel day. There was a long ride over to the beach area and a few people couldn't hold down their food, resulting in some motion sickness. Later, we had a tough beach workout and then a little Duhawk 'swim sesh' in the Pacific Ocean.

With only a few days left in the tropical country of Costa Rica, we'll bring you another update soon!

Pura Vida!Signing out,

Murph and Trues

[lorascollegesoccer]

Monkeys joined us for breakfast.

Today we ate breakfast at 730am and apparently 7-8 monkeys received the invite. If you left a plate of food unoccupied the monkeys would swing down and grab any scraps available. Waffles and sugar packets seemed to be a favorite. Did you say upside down?! We then had a 20 minute bus ride to Vista Los Suenos where we flew down 12 zip lines at 35-45 mph. These were incredible and like no other zip line I had ever seen before. Hundreds of feet above the ground flying straight through a beautiful rainforest up to a quarter of a mile at a time. At the sixth zip line we were given the opportunity of going completely upside down. I questioned my decision when I was hanging hundreds of feet in the air upside down going backwards around 35mph, but soon realized it was too late to change and then appreciated the spectacular scenery from a slightly 'different' viewpoint. Special shout out to the 3 "men" in my group that did NOT go upside down Bryan Irwin, Sammy Johnson and Sam Koenig. SO SOFT We will be spending the rest of our day on the beach, playing mini golf and preparing for our next game tomorrow. CHUM life is the good life. Alex The Brit

[lorascollegesoccer]

On our way to Punta Leona this morning, we stopped to take a look at some crocodiles near Jaco. (Photo by Sarah Small)