Fall Break!

This fall break was a mix of soccer and quality family time. I couldn’t be home for the entire break because of our game against Muskingum on Saturday, but it turned out to be a fantastic day. We won 6-0, which was a huge confidence booster for the team. With this win, we’re on a solid roll in the OAC, now with three wins and three shutouts. The energy going into the game was intense; even though we knew we were favored, we still had to prove it on the field. We did just that, and the result was very convincing.

After the game, I drove home to spend time with my family. The colder weather is creeping in, so I also needed to grab some warmer clothes. I was really excited to be back home and see my family and my two dogs, Findlay and Piper.

One of my favorite fall traditions is visiting the cider mill with my family. We made sure to stop by, and it was a great way to enjoy my time at home. We had cider slushes and fresh donuts, and I loved seeing all the animals there. The cider mill is a popular spot in the fall, so it was funny to run into a few friends from high school while we were there.

After the cider mill, we headed to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Their food is always a favorite for my family and me. I especially enjoy the fresh-baked bread and cinnamon butter. It was nice to relax and share a good meal together at one of our favorite places before I had to head back to campus.

After a short but much-needed day at home, I returned to campus on Sunday to prepare for our Monday practice at 9 AM. I thought practice might be canceled after such a dominant win against Muskingum, especially since our next game is against Heidelberg, a team we beat 10-1 last year. But I was wrong.

Practice ended up being easy and short, which my teammates and I really appreciated. Since practice finished early, I had a lot of free time and decided to go fishing. I was determined to catch some trout, as I learned from a friend who’s a fishing guide in Ohio that we have trout in some rivers here. Fishing is one of my favorite hobbies, and it’s always rewarding to spend time outdoors. I was grateful to catch a handful of trout, which is my favorite fish.

Even though I couldn’t enjoy a full fall break like most students, I made sure to prioritize rest and recovery when I could. Overall, it was a nice balance of competition and family time, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season