ENTRY #3
Monday, September 19, 2011
Greetings Pilots fans. I apologize for the delay of the third chapter of my on-going blog, but there has just been so much to recount over the last week. Being that I am the team scribe I consider it my duty to report all of the week's happenings to you, Pilot nation. Without further ado, here is the news...
On Thursday, September 8th the team traveled to DeKalb, Illinois to play in the Northern Illinois University Invitational. Our day started early with a 5 A.M. exodus from the bluff to PDX, plus a few hours of waiting at the departure gate. The plane ride into Chicago O'Hare International Airport consisted of card games, homework assignments, and sporadic snores from the nose of sophomore Matt Dally. After arriving in Chicago we traveled to DeKalb, home of the Northern Illinois Huskies. Though the campus itself was quite impressive, the surrounding landscape was filled with corn field after corn field. They say a man could lose his mind in DeKalb, but not any man who calls himself a Portland Pilot. Joining the team at Northern Illinois for the invitational was Northwestern University and Valparaiso University, both strong squads from the Midwest. Our first game of the tournament was against the Northwestern Wildcats. There was great play between both sides but the first strike came from Northwestern. Though the goal initially came as a shock to our team, we rallied behind our quick play and struck back with two late goals within the closing five minutes of the game. Once again, scoring virtuoso Keith Grubisich netted another goal for himself to help us win the day. Keith's recent clinical form in front of the goal has raised questions throughout the program as to why he hasn't scored more throughout his career as a Pilot. Maybe it's all of the mountain dew gamer fuel Keith has consumed over his time on the bluff or maybe he's simply figured out the game like he's figured out the ins and outs of Mario Kart. Either way Keith, keep 'um comin'. Junior captain Joe Sleven was another Pilot who added a goal to his name for the late victory. After finishing the chance Sleven was quoted as yelling "we're goin' all night" over and over again. The next game against Northern Illinois seemed as if it would be another rough battle as other games have been thus far in the season. Our possession throughout the game was very impressive and the overall level of soccer was high. Unfortunately, the one missing ingredient from our play was the final attack, but this wasn't the case for the Huskies. The game finished 0-4 with the Huskies finishing four opportunities despite our best efforts. A loss of such magnitude is nothing we can be proud of and a strategy was immediately created by the coaching staff to address the issues that arose during the game for the week of practice to follow. Now it is time to look forward and the entire program is excited to travel to Seattle this week for the Husky Fever Classic.
I'd now like to take this time to congratulate Derek Boggs on his recent sweat baby birth. Over the last several weeks the team has been recording our weights before and after practices to calculate the water each of us loses during practice from perspiration. Freshman Derek Boggs, however, has a unique gift which separates his sweat from the rest of ours. Derek is a human fountain. Have you ever heard the saying about the glass being half full or half empty? Well neither situation applies to Derek because his glass is constantly overflowing with his own body essence. Slip and slides aren't even necessary for Derek to stream across the ground. The guy could run and belly dive onto the field after practice and end up 100 yards downstream in the blink of an eye. Derek's most recent practice yielded a weight loss of a healthy 8.7 lbs. I'm proud to say both the mother and child survived the delivery. I hope you received my baby shower gift Boggs. It's a towel...
College is a time of new experiences and meeting new people. Students often meet their future spouses during the pursuit of a higher education and UP even ranks amongst the top colleges to produce married couples directly out of graduation. Several members of the men's soccer team, however, have yet to pair up with a member of the opposite sex or even test the world of dating at all. For their sakes, and for the consideration of all the single ladies who read the team blog, here's a list of the top three most eligible bachelors on the Pilots men's soccer team.
#3. Junior Keith Grubisich
All that can be said about Keith is that he's not a stand up guy. In fact, he's a lay down and not get up guy. Keith loves to sleep. I'd say he has a sleeping disorder but I don't think it would actually convey the next level of sleep that Keith is on. I can't say Keith would be the awkward type on a date because the conversation would be strong, but eventually a girl may be confused over whether Keith is more interested in them or JJ Reddick. Though Keith may seem mysterious on the outside he's a girl's best friend just waiting to be discovered. Give him a shot ladies. You won't be disappointed.
#2. Freshman Mitch Lurie
Do you hear that sound right now? That loud annoying yell? Well that's Mitch. He's probably mad that someone was pulling his leg and responding with his signature tagline, "bite your own!" Mitch is a true southern gentleman, however, and treats all females with the upmost respect. By respect I mean indirectly forcing them to wear ear plugs while constantly reminding them that he used to live next to Usher. Portland women may not have yet satisfied Mitch's criteria for a southern wifey but give him a shot girls and maybe he'll turn you into his real housewife of Atlanta.
#1. Freshman Matt Liberator
Liberator, or Libs as we like to call him, is number one on the list for a reason-- he's the man. When not claiming to be the 'best in the house' at something he's actually terrible at, Matt is likely in the quad trying to convince people he's Wayne Rooney so he can feel accomplished. It is rumored Libs wears my little pony underwear to sleep every night just for the comfort, but this aspect would only make him more desirable. If you can't find Matt anywhere on campus over the next month, look for him on Halloween. He'll be the one dressed as Tinkerbell; the same costume he's warn for 18 years straight. Here's to you Libs. Make it happen.
Check in next week for the first video blog of the season as we travel to the University of Washington. As always, thank you for reading and go Pilots!
PREVIOUS ENTRIES
• Entry #1 (8/30/11)
• Entry #2 (9/8/11)
