First collegiate playing time

First I’d like to thank you for taking it EZ with DZ for the second time.

Playing soccer at the collegiate level has always been a big goal of mine, and finally on Sept. 27,  against Valparaiso, I booked my first minutes.

You see, a lot had to go wrong for me to get into this game. The two players ahead of me both had to get hurt, and sure enough, they unfortunately did.

At the end of regulation, the game was tied 1-1.  After our starting right back injured his knee and our substitute right back began to experience cramping, Coach Eitz had no choice but to put me in. 

“Alright here’s how we are starting overtime,” said Coach Eitz, “across the back the line we’re going Westburg, Kino, Ferner and De Zeeuw.”

When overtime had begun, I just felt like I was in a huge daze. My body felt present; however my mind was taking a while to catch up.  It was as if my brain was telling me, “hmm, this is an interesting experience Alex, you’ve never done this before.”

I knew that the only thing I could do was just try my best and avoid running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

The first five minutes I was in the game I felt like the other team just kept kicking the ball down my side of the field. I won a few head balls, had a couple tackles and tried to make good decisions on my passing.

Before I knew it, the first overtime period was over, and, likewise, like the blink of an eye, the second overtime period came and went just as quickly.

That 20 minutes of overtime had to have been the quickest minutes of my life. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Although collectively this was a disappointing result, as an individual I was pleased that I got to play in my first college soccer game, and that I played decently while I was at it.

Since the Valparaiso game, I have played in three other matches and made my first collegiate start on Oct. 17 against Wright State. 

Over the summer, I lost 15 pounds, and got into the best physical condition of my life. It’s exciting to see hard, physical work result in playing time because I know it does not always work out that way.

Evaluating my play over the last month of the season, there have certainly been some ups and downs.  Each game I have played in, I have continued to improve.  I have learned a lot from my teammates and coaches, but also have studied the film from each game hoping to catch certain things that I can work on.

Because I didn’t play at all in the first season and a half of my college career, I know that becoming a better soccer player is a process and doesn’t happen overnight.

Just as quickly as I began playing, it can all be taken away due to injury or lack of performance, so working hard and concentrating on training are essential. Complacency is not an option. 

Well, that’s enough of that because it’s 5 p.m. on a Monday and I have some stats homework to finish up!

But once again, thank you all for taking it EZ with DZ.  Peace be with you all.

Also, we have home games against UIC on Oct. 24, and Green Bay on Nov. 7th.

Wear your Halloween costume or whatever it takes to come out and see a game. We appreciate the support.