Costa Rica Tour 2005

Hi! My name is Taylor Cochran and I am a sophomore at Lake Stevens High School. My friend, Hannah Greig, is a sophomore at Woodinville High School. We both play for the U-17 NWN Fusion team and also for the WA State 89’ Girls ODP Team. This is our journal of our trip to Costa Rica with the 89’ Girls ODP Regional Team. We hope that you like it!!

Taylor, March 14

Hello from Texas! It’s 6:30 a.m., I just woke up in my Marriott hotel room in Dallas. Hannah and I roomed together last night because we have been here for the last four days playing in the ODP National Championships. Unfortunately, we lost yesterday to Eastern New York in the final 1-0 on a P.K. We should leave in about an hour for the airport. The Region IV administrator who is watching us is super nice, her name is Jolene and she will be the administrator for the Costa Rica trip also.

LATER THAT NIGHT:
We met everyone at the airport. Most of the girls I know from past Regional and National camps and it was so much fun to see them all again, although there are a few new faces. It is super late and we are getting ready for bed.

Taylor, March 15

Puda Vida! That means good morning, hello, good afternoon, how are you, good night, and how’s it goin? Our tour guide, Mauricio, taught us that last night on the ride home from the airport. Our bus driver’s name is Hugo, but it is pronounced Ooo-go. Hugo has a funny, deep laugh and is probably the tightest bus driver ever. This morning we woke up at 9:30 to a breakfast of rice, beans, eggs and fresh fruit. It was definitely not cheerios, but I enjoyed it. I am rooming with Carli and Lauren (Lu) from Cal South and Jessie (Phil) from Utah. We originally had a room with two twin beds for all four of us, but thankfully, the hotel workers brought in two cots. After breakfast we had a light pool workout and then we sat in the sun for two hours. It felt so good compared to the frigid weather in Washington! For lunch we had more rice and beans, I have a feeling I will become very familiar with these Costa Rican dishes. After lunch we jumped on our enormous bus to go to the field for training. After a bumpy bus ride we did dynamic stretching and then played possession. I always get nervous, even for possession games. I did alright though, and by that I mean I have no idea how I really did. I know I worked hard though. I played right back in 9-vs-9. We then went home and ate dinner (almost all our meals are served at the hotel) and then Philippe (our head coach) told us to go to bed because we have practice early tomorrow.

Hannah, March 16

Hola… from Costa Rica! This is our second day in the tropical paradise of Costa Rica. Wake-up was at 8:15 and breakfast was at 8:30. Of course, it consisted of rice, eggs, fruit and juice. After breakfast we rode our bus for training which started at 9:30. On the way to training we went through the city for the first time. The city was very surprising for me. It made me realize how much I take for granted and how spoiled I am. In the city the houses were shacks and if a person didn’t have a shack their home was in a cardboard box on the side of the road. Don’t get me wrong, not all the houses are shacks, there are some nice houses, but for the most part they are minimal. Our training field was surrounded by cows and smelled pretty nasty, however training went well and it involved a light 12 minute jog to start, the stretching. Then shadow training and it ended with shooting for the offensive player and long balls for the defensive players. After training we went back to the hotel, some showered and some slept. We had an hour to do whatever we wanted. Then at 12:30 we had lunch. It was the first meal in seven meals that I have had without rice. We had spaghetti and break and then we had 45 minutes to relax.

From 2-4 we had mandatory study hall. All the girls got out their homework and the girls without homework helped the ones with! Me, personally, I had a lot of Spanish homework and out translator Mauricio helped and tutored me which helped so much! I will admit he did some of it for me. He is such a nice guy and willing to help me with anything! Study hall ended and we got a little snack. The wonderful PB & J. WOW! Two meals today without rice!

4:30… off to our game we go! Game time is 6 O’clock vs. UCEM-Alajueld. Our game field was right in the middle of the city and the crowd surrounded the gates around the field. The Costa Ricans were a rowdy crowd. The game went well and we were victorious 3-0. After the game we gave the children autographs and were off to T.G.I. Fridays! Oh my gosh, all of us girls were so excited for “real” food. Dinner was really fun, especially after a win. After dinner Hugo…our wonderful bus driver, that the girls love, went to get the bus for us and we were on our war back to the hotel. When we arrived at the hotel out duties were to shower, clean and pack. Packing was difficult for me because I am not the neatest girl in the world and my stuff was everywhere. After shoving all my stuff into a bag, I called my parents to tell them how the day went. Then we went to bed around 1 AM to wake up the next morning for breakfast at 8:15 and then a three hour bus ride to San Carlos.

Taylor, March 17

HOLA! It is our fourth day…I think. Third full day. We left our hotel this morning at 9:30 and now we are on a 3 hour bus ride to our next destination. Where that is, I have no idea. The landscape of Costa Rica is so gorgeous. It is all hills, palm trees and bright colors! There are mostly one story homes, that are brightly painted, but with not a lot more to them than that. LATER ON… We stopped at a small shop to pick up some souvenirs. All the girls were pumped about this. We got into the Tilajari Hotel in San Carlos (our destination) around 1:00. We ate lunch, had a pool training, then Phil and I went to check out the Butterfly Garden. It kind of creeped me out because butterflies were everywhere but I guess it was really pretty. Then we went down by the river where we found HUGE iguanas! We tried to catch them but they were too quick so we decided to catch squirrels instead, although quite unsuccessfully. Tonight we went to the hot springs. This was my favorite experience so far. They were large, natural, hot tub-like pools that we swam in for about an hour. It was so tight because it was like a maze of hot springs connected by streams that we could wade up and stand under water falls! We had dinner around 8:00 and then went to bed. It was an exhausting day!!

Hannah, March 18

Today we had an early game at 11:30 vs. Cartago. We were victorious once again. We won 6-2. During the game I have never been so hot in my entire life. I felt like I was going to pass out. Also, I have never been so sweaty. I could feel the sweat dripping down the side of my face and my back. After the game we went to lunch and then back to shower before we got on the bus to go to some lake tour. At the lake we got into a boat and toured around… and we saw a monkey!! While in the middle of the lake we stopped and jumped out to swim!! It was really fun! When we returned to the hotel we had dinner and went to bed because we were all so exhausted from our long day! And we had to wake up the next morning to travel back to San Jose!

Taylor, March 19

Today was our day off, no practice, and no game. We were able to sleep in because our bus back to San Jose didn’t leave until after lunch. I sat with Phil on the three hour ride and we mostly slept. After stopping at a souvenir shop similar to the first, we grabbed a snack and drove another half hour. We arrived at the County Inn at 6:30, but on our way we drove past a huge stadium (across the street from where we played our first game) to check out where we would be going tonight! We went to watch a professional game! I still have no idea the names of the two teams, but it was a good match none the less. After the game we were able to talk to two of the players because Mauricio had the hook up. Now I am in our two story suite (our rooms were upgraded from our first stay) getting ready to go to bed. I realized today that just by being American we cause a stir.

Hannah, March 20

Today was one of the most fun days I have ever had in my life! This morning we got on a boat to go to Tortuga Island. At Tortuga Island some girls laid in the sun, while some played soccer with the locals. It was an intense game! For lunch we had this amazing meal of chicken curry. After lunch we all just lounged around and soaked up the sun. Wow, I almost forgot there was the most bazaar pet on the island. It was a wart hog! The locals found it when it was little and raised it so now it just runs around the island. It’s like their dog! Overall today was a blast but that sun took a lot out of me so I’m going to bed, night!

Taylor, March 21

Today we tied our game 2-2. It was really disappointing and I think a lot of the girls looked at it as a loss. We were definitely the better team, but we just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. Our opponents were really savvy about fouls and knew how to get the calls. We would just get mad! We couldn’t say anything to the ref and even if we did he wouldn’t understand us! Danielle from Colorado scored one of the goals. It was a gorgeous finish into the upper “V.” I absolutely love playing but I also really enjoy watching the other girls play. They are so good! After the game we went to Pizza Hut. I never realized how amazing Pizza Hut food is until tonight. This morning we went to downtown San Jose. At first I was totally confused by the exchange rate but I slowly began to understand it. I ended up buying two hammocks, twelve bracelets, two pairs of earrings, a couple t-shirts, and a necklace. The lifestyle of Costa Ricans is so different from ours – we saw so much poverty. In spite of the challenges they face, they are still happy people.

Hannah, March 22

BIG day today! We beat the U-19 Costa Rican Women’s National team 3-0. Our coaches were very happy with our performance. We played in this huge stadium in the middle of San Jose. It was nerve racking at first but once the game got started, it didn’t even faze me. I was just in my zone. After the game we got a picture with the team then went back to the hotel to pack and get ready to leave tomorrow morning. When we walked out of the stadium it was crazy though. There were people screaming and cheering at us. It was really shocking when they asked for my autograph. It was just so strange how the locals thought that we were famous. Good feeling, don’t get me wrong! When we got back to the hotel we took showers then went to our farewell dinner. It was so sad; it hit me that we were leaving tomorrow. At dinner the coaches talked and the tour guides gave us flowers. They were the sweetest people; we were so gifted to have them with us. After dinner we had to go back to our hotel to pack because we are leaving tomorrow. Scary to think we have to go back home. I could stay here for another 10 days easy! From paradise to reality we have to go.

Taylor, March 23

SAD!! This was our last day in Costa. I am so sad to be leaving all of my teammates! They are so much fun and I have grown so attached to them over the last nine days. I don’t know what I will do without Phil!! After the farewell dinner last night it really hit me that our trip was almost over. On our flight to Dallas everyone was so anxious to get home, but also down because we knew it would be another three months until regional camp where we would see each other again. After landing in Dallas late because of a delay in Costa Rica, Hannah and I had to hustle through Customs and run through security. We were the first connecting flight and it left in thirty minutes. Our terminal was a fifteen minute bus ride away! This gave us no chance for good byes to our team. It felt awful but I am sure we’ll see them again! Our trip to Costa Rica has been unforgettable. No description that I can give you could begin to explain how much fun we had or what a wonderful experience this trip was.

**These are the technical reports given by our coaches after the first two games. Reports for games 3 & 4 were not available.

Technical report game #1
The Region IV 89 girls took on UCEM of Arajuela, Costa Rica in their first of four games on their 2005 Costa Rica tour. The starting eleven were: GK DeYoung, Sweetman, Baddley, Turcios, Perry, Plutko, Barnes, Ohai, Goynes, McKetty. The 89’s got out to an early lead with a goal in the fifth minute of play by forward Jessie Baddley with the assist credited to Sara Turcios. With a 1-0 lead at halftime, the 89’s made a few adjustments including slowing the tempo of play and taking advantage of goalkicks and punts on the short field. The results were two second half goals by Washington’s Taylor Cochran with assists coming from Maxine Goynes and Kendra Perry respectively. Goalkeepers, DeYoung and Sumiyasu shared the shutout with a combined nine saves.

Technical report game #2
The starting line for the second game was: Sumiyasu, Greig, Ohai, Lau, McKetty, Plutko, Perry, Pfankuch, Kuhns, Castaneda, and Cochran.
The second of the 89 Girls Costa Rica tour took place at the Tilajara Resort in San Carlos. The heat and humidity was not an obstacle the 6-2 routing of Cartago. The 3-0 halftime lead came compliments of goals by Taylor Cochran, Nicole Sweetman, and Jessie Baddley with assists by Kirstie Kuhns, Jessie Baddley, and Kendra Perry respectively. Cartago made a second half rally scoring 2 goals including a PK. But was not enough as the 89’s added two more goals to seal the victory. Jessie Baddley added two second half goals to complete the hat trick. Taylor Cochran also added another bringing her total for the day to two goals. Second half assists were credited to Megan Ohai, Sweetman, and Baddley. Sumiyasu and DeYoung combined for 3 saves on the day.

WPS Soccer would like to thank Taylor and Hannah for their stories. Hannah actually did this along with Taylor for the site on her own. I had never emailed Hannah, but wanted to say thanks for doing it with Taylor. It was a complete surprise and I can't thank you enough. WPS Soccer wishes the two of you nothing but success in the future. I look forward to hearing from you two again.