Tough Weekend Loss

We lost 12-0 yesterday against Dana. We struggled in the first half to shut down their key players and could not find our defensive shape. With a score of 7-0 at halftime, we made some adjustments to improve both of our offensive and defensive shape which proved to help some, but not enough as Dana was able to find the back of the goal three more times.

While we return back home with a 0-2 start, we now look ahead and start preparing for our match against William Penn on Wednesday.

College of St. Mary's game

So there we are, on the plane, daydreaming about a nice little trip to Nebraska, thinking about all the fun and the good time we will get to spend with the team mates. We arrive at the airport, collect our luggage, and grabbed something to eat. We iced, we napped, we are off for our first regular season game. Our team arrived quite early to the college, which was perfect timing to focus on the game and get our ankles and shins tapped. Yes, we did get tapped, and no, we were not focused on the game from the get go. The game begins with a successful warm up. The warm up leaves room for concentration towards the next ninety minutes. Game faces should be placed in every players' minds. Instead, we goofed around and made our warm up unsuccessful. So there it was: the board was set to ninety minutes, the goals and shot on goals spaces were zeros, and the intensity and adrenaline was seconds away from kicking in. The man on the microphone announces the players' names and the ref blows the whistle. For the next forty-five minutes, it is absolutely blank. 8 to nothing by the end of first half murders every players' minds. Lack of communication, lack of attention, lack of concentration and focus, lack of respect for each other and coaches, and most importantly, lack of dedication for the team was spotted. But what does not kill us makes us stronger. No team in this world is perfect. Not even the best teams out there are. Everyone has a bad day, and that is acceptable. The important part comes from how we react to those types of situations. Should we keep our heads down and give up? or should we try harder, give it all we got, and pull something out of the bottom of our hearts and give each other the respect and the dedication we deserve? Well it is essential for the success of this team to look at the second option. So we did. We came out to the second half with decisive minds. We were ready to get those goals back and leave every breath and every heart beat on the line. We were not going to back down on each other. So there it was, by the end of the first half, only one goal was scored. We picked it up, and we worked as a team. We were on the right track. No one likes to loose nine nothing. No one likes to loose period. By the end of the game, our heads were down, our pride was touching the floor, and we began to wonder what we were doing here. But then it came the rehabilitation and the reality check. We showered and headed to the restaurant to eat some pasta. This was a great team bonding moment where we all let out our feelings and our visions and opinions out about the game. Everyone listened, everyone talked. And then bam!, the light bulb turned on. After we were done eating, we met up at the lobby. And what happened next was indescribable. Two hours of intense talking. Feelings were all out. So many things needed to be said, so many things needed to be known. What happened in that room, well that is something i will always, always remembered for the rest of my life. It was good to know teammates' opinions and feelings, it was good to let it all out, even if it meant crying our eyes out. After the meeting we all felt relieved. It was a new start, a new beginning that was necessary for our upcoming success. We are a team, and teams go through tough times. Like coach told us, no one said it was going to be an easy ride. A team with such a short history and a short time in the program has only one option: go forward. And I have faith on my teammates, i have faith on my coaches, i have faith on the program, and it does not matter how long it takes us to get to the top, we will work for it and we will fight our souls out. Because that's what we do. From here, it only gets better:)
Gabriela Rodriguez #10

For the Love of the Game

The whistle blows, the ball is controlled by the crimson wave. Here comes the opponent, dodge, miss...she takes the ball and scores a goal. However, the game wasn't over just yet. With agression, heart and passion, the Crimson Wave soccer team finished the battle without surrendering. Never in my life did I think that I would get the opprotunity to play soccer, especially with a group of talented young ladies. We walked onto that vast green soccer field and I was nervous because I never thought I'd play in a collegiate soccer game. I overcame my nerves though as soon as I saw how the team warmed up and did there thing on that emerald pasture. Swift kick there, pass here, "MAN ON!!" they screamed. I felt completely confident that these girls will take care of business no matter what they were up against. They had courage and they had strength. Did it come from their endless hours of practice and running their lives out for that horendous cooper test they strive to finish? Quite possibly. But what I saw on that soccer field, was something much more stronger than any kind of physically strenuous training. It was the passion for the sport that took the limelight during that game. I saw hardwork, dedication, passion when they would take the ball from the other team. With gritted teeth, blood, sweat and injury, the Crimson Wave soccer girls didn't let defeat phase their love for the game.
-Betty Fuentes #9

Three words; talent, passion, and DETERMINATION
-Mayanin #15

Team struggles to connect against St. Mary's

We suffered a 9-0 loss last night against the College of St. Mary's, giving up 8 goals in the first half. Goalkeeper Linda Munoz had 9 saves. The team will face Dana today at 1 pm.

Nebraska Trip

As we anxiously wait for the rest of the teammates, the excitement is overwhelming. Although it is quite early, we feel ready and prepared for the game. The rain will not stop us! ha. Hope that the plane ride does not drag and we can get to the hotel soon. This game will determine our progress from the two scrimmage games. It is our time to shine and prove everyone wrong. People expect nothing favorable from our soccer team, and it is time to show how much this program has improved. As long as we play hard and with heart, leaving our souls on the field will dictate the rest of the trip. - Gaby Rodriguez #10.

Rainy day core training

Team kicks off season this weekend in Omaha

The team travels to Omaha, Neb. to open their season with two matches against College of St. Mary on Friday, August 28 and Dana on Saturday, August 29.

Hoping for more..(brenda thought of it)

Mmm...all i have to say about yesterday's game was that we didn't play to our potential but we did defend good ...especially angie....and linda did an amazing job not to let them score...so our score is 0 to 0..which is fantastic but many things we have to improve on like for example passing the ball more and communicating....but overall in my perspective these few weeks that we have played we are improving little by little and our hearts keep getting bigger and bigger...and hopefully that continues on during the season ....this season is going to be the best ...and overall every teammate on the team was very ecstatic because WE DID NOT LOSE!..even though it does not count cause it was just a scrimmage that boosts up our confidence level into doing good things this following season and hope we continue on... - Captain Lesly Cuadra #6

Bethel College Scrimmage

Last night's game against Bethel College ended in a 0-0 tie. We only had 11 players again and all had to play without substitution. The girls were able to fight and be competitive throughout the match. It could have gone either way, but the solid goalkeeping from Linda Munoz kept us in the match. Kari Stanley had some opportunities, but with some saves and blocks, none were able to convert. When looking at the progress from our last scrimmage, we are on the right track, but we still have work to do. I see the potential and promise of such a young team. We just have to put it all together! - Assistant Coach Rubin Nieto

Thoughts from Captain Lesly...Maritza...Brenda

I would love to say that orientation is verrryyy boooorrriiiinnnggggg....the only fun part is lunch and interacting with others. This season so far is going really good especially my teammates being committed to our practices. We are all very nervous and anxious about today's game and hopefully everything goes well today at the game and hopefully we can win and prove everybody wrong. My thoughts and Brenda's thoughts are that she wants to win and i also do and perform well at the game. Maritza's shin hurts realllllllyyyyyyyyyyy bbbbaaaaaaaaaddddd and she wants it to stop!!.....those are my thoughts for today and i'll write more tomorrow about the game. - Captain Lesly Cuadra #6

Cuadra, Crimson Wave women's soccer team looking to bounce back

Cuadra, Crimson Wave squad looking for improvements

Second-year Calumet College of St. Joseph women's soccer coach Jennifer Fickett has adopted a new quote for this year's team: "Pain is weakness leaving MY body, making US stronger."

The player that has taken that saying to heart most is freshman Lesly Cuadra.

Read Complete NWI Times Article

Iowa Wesleyan Scrimmage

We just returned from our trip to Iowa and we return with a lot to look forward to. We played with only 11 girls who played all 90 minutes in the loss but we had some moments of brightness. Linda our goalkeeper played very well stopping a 1 vs.1 battle to save a goal, near post kick save, and communicated very well. Brittany our center back emerged as a back line leader and was very active all game.

It was good to get all of them on the field and see where we could utilize our talents best. I have already begun to review film and will continue through the night and review it with the team in the morning. We will have a regeneration workout in the morning and view the video and focus on our mistakes from the match. It was only a scrimmage, but losing was not taken well by the team and we hope to use it to our advantage. - Assistant Coach Rubin Nieto

Roadtrip to Iowa:)

The road trip was pretty long...fortunate enough, the hotel is amazing...water park, casino, fun center, and lots of food ...yeeeeeyyy....this is a great opportunity to bond with the girls and increase the chemistry to improve the communication both in and outside the field...it is night and now its time to concentrate on the game tomorrow. This scrimmage is essential for the formation of the team. Even though we have 12 players, i am sure this will be a successful season. Cant wait for the game tomorrow and kick some butts...good night:) - Gaby Rodriguez #10
Pictured: Gaby and Kari

Season Preview: Moving Forward

After coming off a character building 0-18 season last year and playing the majority of the season with only seven players, Head Coach Jennifer Fickett enters her second season with some new faces and a fresh perspective.

"This season is all about a new attitude and changing our culture," said Coach Fickett. "Every day we talk about what it means to be a part of this program: Commitment to Team, Relentless Work Ethic, Personal Responsibility, Mental Toughness and Contagious Passion on and off the field."

The Crimson Wave graduated only one senior but only have three sophomore players returning to the lineup. Linda Munoz, who brings a strong work ethic and a great attitude to the team, will be making the transition from defender to goalkeeper this season. Amanda Churilla is back to anchor the defense and Angela Malinowski brings speed and tenacity up top.

Three junior transfers from South Suburban Community College, Gabriela Rodriquez, Evelyn Morales and Kari Stanley, bring experience and leadership to the team. Rodriquez and Morales will be instrumental in adding strength to the midfield, while Stanley looks to add the offensive punch lacking from last season.

This year's lineup also includes freshmen Lesly Cuadra, Alejandra Cuadra and Maritza Cornejo from East Chicago Central, Miriam Ojeda from Hammond Clark, Brenda Ramirez from Benito Juarez, Brittany Moczynski from Hammond Morton and Jessica Garcia from Whiting.

Our freshmen will need to contribute just as much as our returning and transfer players" comments Coach Fickett. "We have more talent than we did last season and with our numbers up, we are looking to gain respect in the prestigious CCAC [Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference]."

Also new this year is Assistant Coach Rubin Nieto, a former St. Joseph's College goalkeeper, whose most recent coaching stint was at Cochise College in Arizona. Nieto will oversee goalkeeper training as well as assist with recruiting.

"I'm excited to be here," said Coach Nieto. "We have a great group of players out this year. I'm looking forward to helping take the talent we have and improve from where the team was last year."

And while the program may still be under their ideal squad size, this year's team has HUGE hearts.

"We're a very young program looking to turn the corner," states Coach Fickett, "and we're hoping to surprise a few teams along the way."

The team travels to Omaha, Neb. to open their season with two matches against College of St. Mary on August 28 and Dana on August 29.

Calumet College of St. Joseph Golf Outing

Members of the CCSJ Women's Soccer team greeted and cheered on golfers at Hole 5 at the 10th Annual Crimson Wave Golf Outing at Lost Marsh in Hammond, Ind. last Thursday.

A HUGE THANK YOU to our hole sponsors: Executive Coach, Allard Rental Corporation, Hollywood Video (Munster, IN) and Carniceria "La Chiquita" #3 (East Chicago, IN).

Front Row: Maritza, Amanda, Jessica and Evelyn
Back Row: Marina and Linda


Front Row: Brittany, Angie and Miriam
Back Row: Brenda, Ashley, Kari, and Gaby


Track Coach Don Reed showing off his juggling moves.


Wrestling Coach Leroy Vega with juggling partner Kari.


Softball Coach Tom Fickett trying to focus after a long day of golf.

Early mornings, fitness tests and team building, oh my!

The past two weeks the team has risen before sunrise and is on the training field by 6:00 am Mondays-Fridays and by 8:00 am on Saturdays. Preseason training is here!

While it wasn't easy at first, we are starting to see the benefits of our off-season training (hence our theme for this year "Pain is weakness leaving MY body making US stronger!"). We're finally getting "comfortable" being "uncomfortable" with our fitness tests. Earlier this week, the team pushed through what they thought was impossible with our Cones test and amazed themselves this morning on just how teammates can help carry each other through our 120s. Tomorrow morning we will run the Cooper test and next week we will see who has the mental toughness in the Beep test.

The team's chemistry is getting stronger each day. We have just a few more days to prepare for our first preseason scrimmage against Iowa Wesleyan next Thursday. Are we prepared?

Season kickoff

The CCSJ Women's Soccer team kicked off their season yesterday with a barbecue and a trip to Toyota Park to watch the Chicago Red Stars defeat Marta and the Los Angeles Sol 3-1 in front of a record 7,959 fans.

Photo: Chicago Red Stars celebrating Lindsay Tarpley's goal in the 47th minute.

A new attitude for 2009-2010

2009-2010 Season
Pain is weakness leaving MY body making US stronger!

CCSJ Women's Soccer Moving Forward

Welcome to the CCSJ Women's Soccer Blog. The purpose of this site is to help us stay connected with alumni, family, friends, prospective student-athletes and fans of the Crimson Wave! Follow us as team members and coaches blog about their experiences on and off the soccer field. Go Wave!!!