September 7, 2004 - Kevin McCarthy

This year's installment of Emory soccer is an experienced group looking to build on what it learned last year. Over the course of last season, we developed from a team with great potential to a team that played up to that potential.

By the middle of last season, we knew that we were a top Division III team. However, we faltered in our NCAA tournament game.

With nine returning starters, we are aware of our talent and we know we're capable of great success. But last year's experience also taught us where we need to improve in order to be a better team.

Every August, the team gets together for pre-season practices and conditioning. We run, play soccer, and hang out. It's pretty much hanging out with the team all day, every day.

This year our season started later than usual and so we had more time to work on important things such as conditioning and teamwork. As a result of this extra work and last year's experiences, this team has higher expectations than any previous team in my four years at Emory.

To the 19 returning players, we have added five freshmen and two transfers. Their contributions have already been seen in the first few games of the season.

We opened up our season last weekend at home with two good results against solid opponents. We defeated Richard Stockton 4-0 and Methodist 1-0. The results were good, but we still have some things to work on as a team.

In the coming weeks, we'll constantly be looking to improve. This year we have our work cut out for us because we know what we can do and, more importantly, now we know what we've got to do to be successful.

September 13, 2004 - Jeff Alexander

"To improve the team -- we must improve ourselves."

Coach Rubesch has been preaching this John Wooden maxim since the preseason began. But, it was not until last weekend that individuals stepping up have allowed us to come together as a team.

Karl and Tyler kept our team offense and defense, respectively, clicking on all cylinders. Behind their solid play, we were able to get great results last weekend.

As a team, we have proven to ourselves in the last year that we can find success, even excel, on the road. Likewise, road trips, which in the past seemed burdensome, have proven recently to be both fun and entertaining.

As a team, we even found a way to make an eight-hour bus ride to Cary, NC enjoyable. 'The Movie Game' is a personal favorite, but others play cards, watch movies, and take care of school work.

Beth Wilson's parents opened their home to us Saturday for brunch before our first game. Her little brother set the tone for the weekend with his personalized opening remarks.

We were then off to the stadium for our first match of the showcase. Walking into the 10,000-seat, soccer-only stadium awed some of us. But, our anxiety was put to bed when the first whistle blew. Hampden-Sydney was a worthy opponent, but when we play our game we are a tough team to beat.

Saturday night we went to TGIFs as a team and watched UGA squeak past USC in a less important version of college "football." We awoke early Sunday, eager to continue our streak of shutouts and success in the South.

Against Mary Washington, both streaks stayed intact. After Kaufy drove the final nail home, we were on our way back to Atlanta.

This week we will continue to work hard in practice and prepare for perennial southern powerhouse Greensboro College. We look forward to the rest of the season with confidence and anticipation, understanding that all of our expectations can be met if we continue to sacrifice as individuals and improve as a team.

September 20, 2004 - Kevin McCarthy

Coming off a successful road trip to North Carolina, we knew we had a long week of practice ahead of us. With Hurricane Ivan bearing down on Atlanta, we weren't sure how many days of practice would be rained out. However, we managed to miss only one day of outdoor training and even then we made the most of our time with a fun training session with (assistant coach) Derek (Marinatos) in the gym.

The team gathered together last Friday night for home-cooked spaghetti dinner. When we showed up for our game the next morning against Greensboro College, the skies were clear and we were ready to play.

During the game we worked hard to control the ball and string passes together. For some reason, though, we just weren't able to get into gear. This loss serves as motivation and teaches us where we need to improve.

At this point, the team has been playing together for more than a month. I think it's hard to imagine not spending two or three hours every day with each other. The freshmen are settled in and have become important contributors both in games and in practice.

Though we have worked hard up to this point, I am confident that this team has its best soccer ahead of it. It's up to each player to improve himself and find what motivates him. With Coach Rubesch and Derek constantly pushing us, I look forward to seeing improvements over the next few weeks.

September 27, 2004 - Jeff Alexander

Last week was a great week for Emory soccer. We bounced back from our first regional loss since 2002 with three great results. We were sharp and focused in practice (especially during soccer tennis) and it showed in each of our victories. As a team, we are getting healthy and looking to peak at just the right moment.

Games are rarely as intense and fiery as Tuesday night's match against Piedmont College (Ga.). In the past few seasons we have developed a healthy and competitive rivalry with our in-state adversary. Coming out strong and getting a solid team result against them, especially after coming off a loss three days earlier, will prove to be one of the many special days for our team this year.

I was planning on saving my truly introspective entries for November, but this week was a very special week for me on a personal level.

Standing at the center line, hearing my name announced as a starter Tuesday night was a moment of true pride for me. As I gazed out into the crowd, side by side with my teammates, I was overtaken with emotion and I thought back to a day approximately three years ago.

Sitting in Coach Rubesch's office after my freshman season, having played in just one game, I was unsure of myself as a player and unsure of my place in the Emory soccer program. But Coach Rubesch looked me in the eye and said, "Jeff, you are a big part of this program and you are most definitely a part of our team plan."

So, to Coach Rubesch for believing in me and to Coach Derek Marinatos for continually giving me the confidence I needed to reach my goals, I thank you both. Starting for the Emory soccer team was an honor that I will cherish long after I'm done playing.

To the fans that have come out and supported us so far this year, I speak on behalf of the team, when I say "Thank you!" Our home field has an energy this year I have rarely seen or felt at Emory. You have made our home games memorable events for each of us.

This coming week we travel crosstown to Oglethorpe University (Ga.) on Wednesday and prepare for the start of the UAA competition Saturday. In the next days, weeks, and months we will face many challenges as team. I can not wait to see how we respond.

October 4, 2004 - Kevin McCarthy

Sometimes it's difficult to pinpoint what makes up a team's collective personality. A team is made up of a combination of personalities each with different effects on the team.

There are 22-year-old seniors and 18-year-old freshmen. Somehow the various personalities and attitudes merge into a team character. This year's Emory soccer team is unlike any other in Emory soccer in that we have people from all over the country who have come into the season with varying levels of experience and expectations.

However, this Emory soccer team has been remarkable in that we have developed a fairly professional, level-headed attitude. It is true that our professionalism began to emerge last year when we started getting the results that we knew we were capable of. But with this knowledge of what it takes to be successful, the returning players have been more focused on our goals. As a result, the new players have quickly bought into our system of teamwork.

This is evident in the way an upperclassman picks up the spirit of younger players who are struggling on the field. It can also be seen in the willingness of players to accept their roles and contribute in new ways on a team that has more depth than any other in my four years at Emory. Freshmen are even showing their awareness of the team concept by showing craftiness at our campus pre-game meals.

The ups and downs of a season are inevitable. The big question is how will the team respond to each of these. Whether it's moving towards the top of the national rankings or losing a heartbreaker at home, this Emory soccer team keeps things in perspective. We look ahead to the next game and focus on our training because we know what it takes to succeed and we have the collective team character to achieve it.

This week is a crucial mid-season week of training as we are without weekday games. Beginning with a team run through Lullwater Park on Monday, we will increase our fitness and clean up our game.

The week of training will be capped off with a trip to my hometown of St. Louis where we'll play Washington University. The rivalry between the two programs goes back long before this year's seniors came to Emory, but we all understand the significance of this UAA matchup.

October 12, 2004 - Jeff Alexander

Last week, the Emory men's soccer team quite simply got it done. We trained hard and intelligently all week, we had a great time in St. Louis, we had an efficient game plan, and we played a total team game in a thrilling victory over Washington University (Mo.).

When Coach Marinatos met us at the track Monday afternoon we knew we had a long week ahead of us. But, we also knew that to put together 90 minutes of effective soccer we would need the extra fitness. Four laps of beautiful Lullwater Park combined with a solid workout on the track laid a firm foundation on which we would build all week.

In practice during the next few days on McDonough Field we were sharp, focused, and competitive. A video session Thursday before practice helped cement in our minds many of the points Coach Rubesch had been preaching all week.

Friday, thanks to the help of former team captain Michael Oki and the generosity of Boris Jerunika, we took a bus to practice on the field turf at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. The practice was quick and fun. But, more importantly it got both teams used to a different kind of surface. When an impromptu game of tackle football broke out, we knew it was time to leave.

Saturday afternoon we arrived in St. Louis. After Kevin McCarthy kindly pointed out to us several local areas of interest (most notably SLU High School and "The Arch") we were on our way to the hotel. It appears to this web ambassador that the quality of our accommodations has now finally met the quality of our success at a level I scarcely thought imaginable. We were taken care of first class.

From the hotel, we headed to Wash U for a quick practice. We were led in warm-ups by Andy Butler and the venerable Mark Cooke (sans wristwatch). Something about field turf forces our team to play football and again an intense battle took place.

After a "Lambeau Leap" gone very wrong we boarded our bus for the hotel. I also want to thank Andy and Mark for their help in game-planning for Wash U. Your help went a long way in preparing us for the game.
Saturday night, we carpooled to Kevin McCarthy's house for a night in Middle America. We arrived at 123 Easy Street in a fleet of minivans and were greeted by Kevin's 2.6 siblings, cat, dog, and white picket fence. Kevin's house was nothing less than we expected--perfect.

We ate pasta, watched football, went through Kevin's old stuff, and had a great time. The McCarthys were great hosts and though I have joked in this entry, as a team we are very grateful for their hospitality.

If you have made it this far in my entry (469 words), perhaps you're willing to come a little further. Keep in mind that I am building towards a game-winning goal. On the way back from Kevin's house, several of us were lucky enough to be taken home by Kevin's father.

Dr. McCarthy surprised us by pulling up in front of "The Arch" and insisting that the seven of us who had crammed into his minivan get out and touch it. We were more than happy to oblige. Several of us stretched our hamstrings against the national treasure and others simply took in the intensity of the moment.

Sunday morning we were absolutely ready to play. Jon Arost stepped up when we needed him most, the defense held firm, and after Karl Dix used the pure force of his will to put us ahead with less than four minutes remaining the celebration was on.

Last weekend we took a large step towards realizing our goals. The conference competition has heated up and so far we have been equal to the task.

This coming weekend we will try to take two more giant leaps at home on Friday and Sunday. We look forward to welcoming the parents and friends of our teammates to Emory and we will work to make sure that this weekend and every weekend from here on out is as successful as the last.

October 18, 2004 - Kevin McCarthy

Coming off of a shortened fall break, the team began its week of training with a run in scenic Lullwater Park. Because this was the second successive week of the endurance training, we knew to expect a hard day of work without even touching a ball.

Our expectations were met as an extra park loop was added to the previous week's distance. Running at a good pace, we probably covered five or six miles in total. Though it's hard work, we know that this mid-season fitness is going to help us perform better towards the end of games.

The fitness proved critical last weekend because we had two UAA matchups, one lasting through double overtime. In Friday's game we managed to come away with a 3-0 victory over Case Western.

As soon as that game was over, the team's focus shifted to Sunday's game against Rochester, our final regular-season home game. The game ended in a 1-1 tie, which tested the endurance of both team's players. But this game was special for the Emory seniors.

Every year, the last home game of the season is Senior Day. There is a short ceremony before the game where the seniors are individually recognized for their contributions to Emory soccer.

Knowing this was my last regular-season home game was an eerie feeling. For four seasons, I have played and practiced on this same WoodPEC pitch. I have memories of teammates from long ago and how it felt to play on this field as a freshman.

Though much has changed between my first few weeks on this field and my last home game as a senior, it is still my home field. It is still the place where I come to play the game I love with my friends.

Standing next to the five other seniors and the coaches, I realized the trip is nearing an end. It's hard for me to imagine life without Emory soccer. But for now, I don't have to.

In the next three weeks, the team has five away games. I'm going to enjoy these three weeks with my teammates and if all goes as planned, we'll be playing for awhile after that in the NCAA tournament.

October 25, 2004 - Jeff Alexander

This entry is about the future because the past no longer matters. The 2004 version of the Emory Eagles will be defined by the three games we play in the next two weeks.

The games of the next two weeks will also be the last regular season games for me and the five other seniors who have grown close together over the past four years. So, I commit the remainder of this entry to Tyler, Jon, Pat, Anthony, and Kevin, who have shared the field with me throughout college.

To Tyler- Thank you for being unflappable, steady, and flawless.
To Jon- Thank you for bringing your top game to the top games and for keeping the team humble and on our toes.
To Pat- Thank you for bringing unmatched intensity every time you step on the field and for being my mate in the back for hundreds of scrimmages.
To Anthony- Thank you for providing the spark that has made our offense click for the last four years. Watching you play in person every day is a thrill I will surely miss.
To Kevin- Thank you for being the perfect leader of this team. You have been the very persona of poise, passion, and integrity. Thank you for steering our ship so smoothly these last two seasons.

The five of you have made my college soccer experience far better than anything I could have possibly imagined.

In the next two weeks, we have the opportunity to define ourselves as champions. But, win or lose, we have defined our program, the Emory program, with dignity, class and style. For that, we should be proud.

November 1, 2004 - Kevin McCarthy

Last weekend was a UAA road doubleheader for the Emory soccer team. For those of us who have been around, we know the road weekend means four days and three nights of complete bonding with the team. We play two games, eat lots of meals, do some sightseeing, and hang out in hotels. But whatever we're doing, we do it as a team.

The settings of our team activities last weekend were Boston and New York, two cities where there is plenty to see. Though we just missed the victory parade for the Red Sox, the team hung around at Quincy Market and took in the sights of the city on a clear, fall afternoon.

On Saturday, we took a bus tour of New York City during which the back of the bus crew incessantly worked on its chants despite the absence of its senior leader, Jeff Alexander, and some resistance from the front of the bus. Saturday was a great chance to see New York for all of us, many of whom hadn't been to Manhattan before.

Throughout all this team activity, everyone's focus remains on the objectives of the trip--winning our games. Friday's loss at Brandeis was a tough one to swallow. Missing several players, the team struggled to rise above the adversity. We knew that we hadn't played our best and feared we had let our chance at a UAA championship slip away.

But we had another game to play. This time the game was to be played in the rough conditions of NYU's home field. The worn turf and strong wind off the Hudson River added more factors that our team needed to play through.

However, we rose to the occasion. It made me so proud that our team was able to play through difficult conditions and get a big win with our backs up against the wall. This victory was a testament to our players' will to win.

Before Sunday's game we said, "If we're not gonna win, we might as well go home." I'm glad we decided to stick around. Doing so has given us a shot at winning the conference title.

November 8, 2004 - Jeff Alexander

I loved being a member of the Emory soccer team.

I loved the chants, the songs, and the jokes. I loved the road trips, the card games, the pre-games, and the warm-ups. I even loved the practices.

I loved the soreness the day after a win and I loved the crowd that supported us through the highs and the lows.

I loved battling in the heat and fighting through the rain. I loved pre-season, the time spent at Clairmont pool, and the time in the weightroom with Steve Lewis.

I loved the hotels, the breakfasts, the back of the bus, stolen cheesecake, and roaming random streets in random towns and random cities. I loved my teammates and my coaches. I loved my friends who made posters, gave me halftime advice, and cheered my yellow cards and vicious tackles.

But above all, I loved, and will sorely miss, just being one of the guys on this crazy, entertaining, fun, and amazing collection of personalities.

I will always look back on our victories with nostalgia and satisfaction. Local, regional, conference, national wins--each with a unique place in my heart.

And, I will always look back on our losses with regret and remorse wishing I could have done more to prevent my teammates from feeling the pain that lingers now.

But looking back, I know my teammates and I gave more of ourselves than we thought we were capable of. We each sacrificed weekends, vacations, school work, and countless other things for the team we love so much.

The 2005 championship campaign begins today. And the future of Emory soccer could not be brighter. I only wish that I could be around to share in the fun.