Kansas City

This past weekend, the Loyola Ramblers men’s soccer team flew to Kansas City, Mo., to take on the UMKC Kangaroos and the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in the UMKC Invitational.  One of the perks of being a collegiate athlete is that you get to travel all over the country to play the sport you love. However, for seven Loyola Rambler soccer players (Alex De Zeeuw [me], Tanner Nebbia, Justin Koehler, Michael Ferguson, Christian Krueger, Willie Koss and Josh Westberg) this wasn’t just a perk of getting to travel, but rather, for us seven players, it was a trip home.

The trip home was quite the experience.  When I landed in Kansas City, I felt like I was home, but it was quite unsettling to know that it was just for a weekend soccer trip.  When I usually come home from college, everything looks exactly the same but feels so different.  I guess what I’m trying to say is that it is a strange feeling to be a visitor in a city that I had called “home” for the first 18 years of my life.  Nevertheless, I was only a visitor. I made it a point to try and spend as much time as possible with my family, who I love and don’t get to see that often, and other friends and mentors that truly give home its very essence. 
Friday morning, after a short training session, I went out to lunch with my mother.  She dropped me off at my old high school, Rockhurst High School, where I was able to watch my former soccer team play.  They ended up winning the game 1-0, which was great, but what was even better was getting to see my former high school and club coaches who helped get me to where I am today. It was also great to see several of my younger friends and how they have developed and matured into top-notch soccer players and leaders of the school. 

After having a good visit to my former high school, it was time to get back to business. Friday night we took on a very good UMKC team at their home field.  The game got off to a quick start for us.  We had many great opportunities to score early in the first half; however, we were unable to finish our chances, and went into halftime tied 0-0.

As we got deeper into the second half, not much had changed as we continued to put the pressure on UMKC, just missing the goal on a few occasions, but to no avail. After 90 minutes the game was still scoreless. 

Finally, six minutes into the second overtime, the game was resolved when LUC’s Eric Marofski took a shot that deflected off a UMKC defender and ricocheted into the back of the net.  It took 106 minutes to win the contest, but it was well worth the wait as the bench and players on the field stormed Eric, tackled, then dog piled him. 

After the post game celebration, coach Brendan Eitz announced that the players from Kansas City could stay at home with their families if they’d like to.  I was thrilled for the opportunity to sleep in my own bed.  As soon as I got home from the long day, I went up to my room, turned off the lights, and crashed on my comfy, queen-sized bed.  Staying at home got better when my mom made her delicious Saturday morning brunch.  I honestly felt like I was in heaven (but really I was just in Kansas City).  

Later that night, I literally got a “taste” of Kansas City when we went over to Josh Westberg’s house for a team barbeque.  For those not from Kansas City, let me explain something to you.  Barbeque in Kansas City isn’t just about food; it’s a way of life.  Men and women all across the city have gotten the art of making great barbecue down to a science.  They have learned from the mistakes of their ancestors who have come before them until the heavenly taste of barbecue was perfected.   The Westberg’s house was no exception.  Pulled pork was available along with ribs, barbecue baked beans, cheesy potatoes, cookies and all sorts of desserts.  It was a great team feast.  Once again, I thought I was in heaven (but really I was just in Kansas City). 

Finally, to cap off a great homecoming, we played Oral Roberts on Sunday morning.  The game got off to a slow start as we went into the half tied 0-0.  Finally, we were delivered a great wakeup call when ORU took a 1-0 lead about 20 minutes into the second half.  For whatever reason, that seemed to be the spark that we needed, as we went on to fight from behind to pull off the victory 2-1 thanks to senior Mark Halma’s two header goals.  It was great to leave home with two more wins under our belts. 

Now that I’ve been back in Chicago for a couple days, I have realized something.  In a sense there is something medicinal about going home.  Seeing some of the people you grew up with and those who raised, mentored and love you is truly a great feeling.  It’s an uplifting boost that will help lead me through the next few weeks as school gets tougher.  As much as I love Chicago, I can’t wait to go back home.