Soccer reports for preseason training
Aug. 4, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Soccer team reported to campus on Tuesday, just so the Longhorns could pack up again and head out of town. This year, UT is staging its preseason training in Corpus Christi at Cabaniss Field while the track at Mike A. Myers Stadium is being resurfaced. "It's going to be different, but good," said junior Kate Nicholson. "We won't be stuck in the dorms on campus. I think it will be fun." For a team that boasts 15 freshmen and sophomores on the roster, the secluded time on the Gulf of Mexico beach offers ample opportunity for team bonding. While waiting outside the photo studio Tuesday for headshots and team photos, sophomore Amanda Lisberger was planning her introductory speech about fellow teammates for the bus ride to Corpus Christi. Lisberger's goal was comedy. "I think it's going to be a great experience for us," Lisberger said. "We're definitely a young team, so this is a great chance to get to know one another." While in the beach town, the Longhorns' two-hour, twice daily training sessions are open to the public. UT is scheduled to practice from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 8-10 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 to Friday, Aug. 7. They will resume that schedule on Sunday, Aug. 9 to Tuesday, Aug. 11. On Saturday, the Longhorns will host a youth soccer clinic from 9:30-11 a.m. The clinic is open to the public, no registration necessary. "It's just going to be a lot of soccer, and that's good for us," Nicholson said. One of the perks of this training schedule, Nicholson says, is that the Longhorns won't be limited to strength and conditioning work in the weight room. Instead, the team will do workouts on the beach, with resistance work on the sand featuring medicine balls and bands. "It will be hard, but more interesting that being stuck in the weight room," Nicholson said. "It should be fun."
Tuesday offered a simple reprieve from what's ahead. The Longhorns reported for team meetings, and also walked into their locker room to see their stalls stocked with brand new burnt orange Nike goods. "It really does feel like Christmas," freshman Kristin Cummins said. With all the soccer and training, the Longhorns don't anticipate much time for anything else, although, Nicholson is planning to watch "Shark Week" when she's at the hotel. More than anything, they're just looking forward to being around one another. "I'm pretty sure we'll all like each other," Lisberger said. "We're one big unit. I feel like if we work together down in Corpus it will carry over into the season." Fans can keep up with the happenings of the Texas Soccer program in Corpus Christi by regularly checking TexasSports.com for diaries and blogs from featured players along with updates on Texas' twitter page - www.twitter.com/TexasSoccer.****** Get your tickets now for another action-packed season of Texas Soccer. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 512-471-3333 or 800-982-BEVO or online at TexasBoxOffice.com. Individual match tickets are available for $7 for adult general admission, $4 for senior citizens and youth general admission tickets and $2 for groups of 10 or more. Group tickets must be purchased in advance by calling 512-232-3865 or e-mailing grouptickets@athletics.utexas.edu. |
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