The men’s soccer team, coming off a historic 2005 season in which it captured the NESCAC championship and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament, traveled to Brazil for two weeks earlier this month. During the trip, the soccer team began training for the highly anticipated 2006 campaign. Head Coach Geoff Wheeler, the 2005 NESCAC Coach of the Year, planned the trip as a chance for the team to gain valuable soccer and cultural experiences.
The team traveled first to Oscar Inn Sports Eco Resort in Aguas de Lindoia, a small city three hours south of Sao Paolo. There, the team trained on a field complex next to the hotel.
“The hotel was tight,” said 2005 NESCAC Rookie of the Year Matt Nevin ’09. “Great food, great people.”
During their stay in Lindoia, the Cardinals enjoyed a day of white water rafting, futsal (indoor soccer games with a smaller weighted ball), and an enchanting Jeep tour through the Brazilian mountains.
“The rafting was a great time, although it was a little hard to stay in the vessel,” said David Baharestani ’07.
While in Aguas de Lindoia, the team played three exhibition games against local club teams. The Cards won their first game 4-1 but lost the next two contests, each by a score of 4-2. In all three matches, the Cardinals encountered superb skill from the Brazilians that provided excellent practice for the tough opposition they will face this season. The soccer team’s schedule includes matches against three teams that are currently ranked in the top-25 nationally.
“Those guys were lightning and they never lost the ball,” said Mike Walker ’08.
Following their stay in Aguas de Lindoia, the Cardinals traveled to Santos, a beautiful beach city on the Atlantic. While there, the team enjoyed a training session on the beach and attended a Brazilian League Division I professional game between Santos and Vasco. The players and coaches sported the jerseys of the home team and cheered along with the home crowd.
“It was a crazy time,” said Brandon Smith ’08. “It was crazy to see all the craziness.”
In Santos, the Cards played their final game against the Santos under-20 team and lost despite playing their best game of the trip. The team hopes to bring their extra level of fitness and game experience into their first game against NESCAC foe Williams on Sept. 9 in Williamstown, MA.
“This should be a big year for us, and we’re looking to take the ‘CAC’ again,” said Chris Brown ’07.
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