Ireland Take 2 = WIN!!!!

"There are not many opportunities in life when you get a second chance" - Kathy Flores

Those were the words from our coach at the jersey ceremony last night and we were able to take full advantage of that opportunity!!! We played really well (scoring first and last, just for my mother) and were all proud of our performance. We will play Canada on Sunday for 5th place. Ross told me that I should note for everyone that I scored a try today, but the ref didn't think so.....Also, according to Ross, afterwards, I stayed strong and provided the pass for Vix to score in the corner on the next play. =)

Another day, another round of rugby events

Yesterday was busy with a morning lifting session, then an afternoon video session, then practice. Today we just had a pool recovery session in the morning and then a quick run-through on the game field this afternoon. Also in the afternoon, Mari and I went into town and sat outside a cafe enjoying the beautiful weather and the time away from campus. Tonight was the jersey ceremony and it was a little sad because my sister and her family weren't there this time, but my friend arrived today so it was cool to have her there with us. I'm so looking forward to having a second chance to take on Ireland. And I'm looking forward to getting into the game tomorrow (Kim is starting) and making an impact. It doesn't sound like there will be any webcasting of the game, but you should be able to see updates on the website and on twitter. Go Eagles!!!

played strong

I hope you got to see the game - either on TV or online. We played England well, but weren't able to come away with the win. I've been slacking on my blog entries because I left the computer with my family again so they could have internet access. On Friday, we went to Arundel to see the castle there - it was really cool! I was so excited to get to spend time with the fam and actually do a tourist activity. Today, the team is going to Windsor to see a polo match. That should be cool, too. Then we will start looking toward our next match, which will be against IRELAND!!!

recovery

I feel much better today. We have practice this afternoon - I think things will go well. It's time to move forward and get ready for our match against England!

Tough loss

It's hard to write today. Yesterday's loss was a huge disappointment for us. We knew we needed to win that game and also get a bonus point to be placed well coming out of pool play. We also knew that Ireland would be very tough. True to their Irish spirit, they won a hard fought game. We just weren't putting together any phases of play and had no flow to our momentum. Eh. Today is a new day. I'll rest and think about the game some more, but then I need to start focusing ahead again. We play England in 3 days.

Game Day!! IRELAND

We take on Ireland in just a few hours!!!! I'm so excited!!! I'll have to be careful that I don't go completely nuts on the field. =) Sorry I wasn't able to post yesterday, the family wanted some internet access time so they borrowed my computer for a little bit. Husband and daughter arrived safely (thank heavens!) yesterday. Other than that, it was a pretty slow day - just a light run-through and the jersey ceremony in the evening.

Here's some more info on match updates:

Twitter: @USAEaglesRugby - http://twitter.com/USAEaglesRugby

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Official-USA-Rugby-Fan-Page/341122858139

Link for broadcast coverage information for USA v. England:

http://www.universalsports.com/tv-listings/Universal_Sports_on_TV.html

'Mericans take over England

My Mom and my sister, her husband and baby made it to England today! It's so nice to see them and hang out for a little bit. We had a ton of great (and rowdy!) fans at our first game and our cheering squad is only going to get bigger as more and more family and friends arrive!!

Day after game

I went with Kim and her family to see Stonehenge today - it was really cool! This afternoon we had a video session to review yesterday's game and prepare for our upcoming match against Ireland. Although we played well and put up a bunch of points, there are still many areas for us to improve!

BIG WIN!

YESSS!! First game jitters out of the way! It was pretty hard for me not to get out on the field today, but the team did great (after a few hiccups in the first half) and I feel so excited for our next match. It's going to be a tough one against Ireland, on Tuesday. The atmosphere of the event was awesome because all of the teams were at the same venue playing 2 games at a time (the game fields are side by side) throughout the whole afternoon. Tickets for the day were sold out halfway into the first game! So much fun - and of course, i didn't take a single picture. oops!

But here's a pic from earlier in the day...

First game tomorrow!!

So excited for the game!!! But we had to contain ourselves all day so... this morning Kim, Christy and I went for a bike ride around campus and down to town to scout out the places our family and friends are staying and to burn up some time. This afternoon was a brief captain's run on the actual game pitch (all of our practices have been on the training pitches off to the side) and the team looked really good - crisp and sharp, other than the multiple slips due to wet grass from the rain and sneakers (we are not allowed to wear cleats on the game field until tomorrow).

As far as I know, tomorrow's game is not going to be televised or webcast, but live updates should be available on the Women's Rugby World Cup web site and I'll post an update as soon as I can.

Thanks for all your support so far - now comes the real fun!!!

It's TIME!

This morning we had our "private" practice time at a pitch away from the rest of the teams so we could work on things without worrying about revealing anything before the game on Friday. The intensity was great and I had a really good time. And now, after what has seemed like an unending cycle of practice sessions, our practices are essentially finished. Sure, we'll still work on a few areas prior to our upcoming games, but at this point there isn't anything new we can learn or any new skills we can gain. Tomorrow will be very light and then the game is Friday. This is IT!! It's GO time! I'm so excited to be here and be part of this team!

Phaidra on "Made" - TONIGHT!

One of our flankers, Phaidra Knight, will be in the episode of MTV's "Made" set to air August 17, 2010. Please check your local listings for the time and PLEASE TUNE IN!!!!

You can read more on this at the following:

http://www.thephaidraknight.com/?p=71

First opponent - Kazakhstan

Just 3 more days until our first match! It finally felt like the team had a greater sense of purpose in our morning practice. Now, part of the trick to ensuring a solid performance in this first game will be managing our excitement and keeping our anxiety levels in check. We have a brief team run-through this afternoon that I hope will be intense, but not frantic. It's probably going to be a little messy because, of course, it's raining again. =)

Entrance to our building - Ireland is across from us and Canada is beside us

Women's Rugby World Cup - Here we come, for real !!!

Moving day is today!! We're carting all of our stuff over to the WRWC village - just down the street from the main campus at the Surrey University Sport's Park. Yesterday we had the day off and Kim and I went to the cathedral on campus for Sunday morning service. It was nice, but a little strange - it was not exactly Catholic, but pretty close and I didn't follow everything... Later, we went down into town again. I'll post pictures as soon as I can. Hopefully it won't take nearly as long to get internet this time as it did when we first arrived here!!

Yesterday - watching a serious lawn bowling game

Saying goodbye to Twyford Court

MIDDAY UPDATE: We're in our new digs and they're pretty nice, except that I'm a million miles away from the rest of the team (2 people had to stay with the coaches/staff and I was mysteriously elected, along with another teammate). Okay, it's really just one floor away, but it seems far. =)

Home sweet home for the next 3 weeks.

Low key Saturday

We had the standard morning practice, which was okay, but I still feel like we're a little ... frumpy maybe? I hope we start running on the high-octane-level soon. Eh, maybe I'm being too hard on us... This afternoon a few of us went into town again. I purchased a really disappointing milkshake - I would have loved one like Potbelly's vanilla, but this was more like sour milk - yuck! I think it gave me food poisoning!

Trip into town...

The gardens by the castle in town...

One week until Game 1

Our morning practice was pretty good, but I don't feel like the team is into high gear yet. I'll give it until Monday when we move into the WC village and then I might have to do some raging around. We had off this afternoon and I spent most of my time doing laundry. There have only been a couple of practices in the rain, but the dirty clothes pile up quickly.

These are the fields at the Sportsplex where the pool games will be played. The WRWC village (our dorms) is in the background of the pic.

Sightseeing . . . on a rugby trip?

No way! We had the day off and Kim and Farrah and I went into Guildford to see what we could see. There was a cute shopping district and a really old church (990 AD) and a cool little castle. My legs are kind of tired from walking around (oops...so much for resting them), but it was fun to actually do some sightseeing on a rugby trip for once.

finally have internet! sort of

We were supposed to have wireless internet in our apartments... well.... it turns out that wasn't accurate. Then we thought we were getting passcodes to access the internet through ethernet cords in our rooms ... well ... it turns out that wasn't accurate either. Last night I scoured the campus looking for a wireless signal to 'borrow,' but I wasn't successful. Needless to say, I've been very frustrated the last three days having no access to the internet. Okay, I guess it's not that awful (now that I can use a computer at the library!), but it made me feel very disconnected not being able to email or skype with my friends and family. On a rugby note, we lifted this morning and have regular practice this afternoon. Things are going well. Can't wait for us to switch into full World Cup mode!

Signing liability waiver forms before entering Surrey Sports Park

"Boxing" in the weight room

lovely London weather

Ah, this is the England weather I was expecting - I woke up to a chill in the air and some light rain falling steadily. =) Two practices today. The morning was mostly working on unit skills and this afternoon we pummeled each other during several intense tackling drills. We ended the day playing some very hard and very fun rugby. I’m excited that we’ll soon be unleashing on a World Cup opponent and not on each other.

Christy's luggage has still not arrived so she's using a trash bag for her rain jacket

Trekking out to the field in the rain

The Eagle Has Landed!

Lots of Eagles!! We made it safely and, after some rest time, we hit the field. We did a light run through with mostly fun games and ball handling skills. Later, our first dinner here was a little weird because we were not all together. We’re cooking our own food this first week since we’re living in apartments so we’re only eating with the 5 people in our apartment.

Hanging out after arriving....