The Soccer Blog: Entry #1

Throughout the Citrus College Women's Soccer program's journey through the 2013 post-season, sophomores Leandra Escobar, Leslie Grande, and Jordyn Haynes will be blogging for CitrusOwls.com. Today's installment is the first entry of The Soccer Blog.

I believe this year has been full of ups and downs. Although we suffered a rough patch in the beginning, the team really turned around and started playing together as one. Once we played together we worked hard for each other and became determined to win. We grew not only as individuals but as a team that had the same goals, to win conference and make playoffs.

Although we came up short on the conference title, I still believe that our team can overcome the obstacles that are in our path. As we head to playoffs for the second year in a row, it is not only nerve racking but very exciting, especially for us sophomores who have been there before. As we prepare, we are excited as a team to be able to show what we have and demonstrate to not only others but ourselves that we deserve to be there.  We have worked very hard this year as a team and I truly believe that we will succeed in playoffs. As we continue to practice this week, we only wish to improve on the little things, and be ready for Saturday.

- Leandra Escobar

Going to playoffs is something the sophomores have been training for since February, and clearly all that hard work has paid off. Our first goal was to win conference, but sadly that didn't happen for us. Our second goal was to make it to playoffs, and we accomplished that for the second year in a row now. Given this chance to redeem ourselves, we will go out there and show these teams what we are all about.

I'm excited to be going to playoffs, and I hope my teammates are as excited as I am. We have put ourselves in a great position, all we have to do it go out and play our game. Although Miramar is a strong team, we have the ability to compete with them. I have no doubt in my mind that we can take on any team that is put in front of us. As a team, we have to go out there and give it our all, leaving no regrets. I know we will do that this Saturday. It's our goal to win the game and advance to the next round. Let's get them girls!

- Leslie Grande

I couldn't be more excited to start off the third part of our season, playoffs! After suffering from a tough loss last week against College of The Canyons, I feel as though our team will enter into the playoffs with an undying fire. As a sophomore entering into playoffs for the second year in a row, I believe this year proves that anything is possible.

From my stand point, I feel fully confident that my team and I could progress far into playoffs and walk away with a ring; however, I know in order to do so, that we must come together as one and really embrace the rough road ahead. Last year was an eye opener for us when we lost our chance to move forward against Ventura. Our sophomores are more experienced now. We know how much more energy and speed is brought to the game, in the playoffs. I believe that it is our responsibility to prepare the freshman for what we are about to face.

This week of practice will benefit us, and help to get our heads on straight and really evaluate our main goal; to win playoffs! It won't be easy, but nothing is impossible, so I am excited to buckle up and fully commit myself to the game that I love to play.

- Jordyn Haynes