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 1-1 draw... Playing our biggest rival team, Sydney, we had a goal advantage until the 95th min when they scored off a corner. It was a very intense game and a lot of back and forth. I think each team had their chances to put the ball away. Our goalie, again came through and kept us in the game. She's a beast in the back of the net and truly an amazing goalie! I came away with scoring my first goal for Melbourne. Melbourne Victory was really wishing to hold onto that win- it would have meant a lot outside of the standings. 4 games left and they are all very important. Needing to win to keep ourselves in a good play off spot! Played against Sarah Walsh, who I played with this past summer with Sky Blue- it was good to see a familiar face and to catch up a bit after the game. 

We had a great team adventure this past weekend. We went clay shooting with 2 of the best in the world, Olympic Gold medalist Russel and Lauren Marks. They were absolutely amazing people with great personalities. They set aside their days to help the Melbourne Victory girls learn to shoot clay targets. It was the coolest thing I have ever done. I was brutal, but it was a lot of fun! Then we headed to Bubs house for homemade oven bricked pizzas! 

Heading to the Gold Coast this weekend for a little vacation after our game and then off to Sydney!! 

Dream Big! 

Sitch

 Another win under our belt this past weekend. It was good to see the team bounce back after an unfortunate lost the weekend before. Winning in the 93^rd min with a great goal from our young forward D! We play Sydney this weekend and it’s going to be one of our toughest games.

The weather has finally been amazing here in Melbourne. Getting out and about, seeing beaches and just enjoying the sun and great nights of people watching in the city center, Federation Square. People watching is by far one of the greatest, most fun things to do! You can see a lot of interesting people. 

Katie and I have been doing a lot of clinics here that are involving teaching PE classes at an all girls school. I really enjoy teaching and working with the kids in a school environment. Since, I have my degree in Physical Education, I feel right at home going in and teaching the kids. We’ve had a whole wide range of kids being involved in soccer, so it’s been enjoyable to teach kids some soccer skills and to see the kids that are really good helping teach students in their class.

Today we witness the Melbourne Cup. The whole town shuts down and watches a 3 min race! Quite entertaining to see the whole city get really involved for the horse race!!

Just gearing up for my little trip to Sydney next week!!! 

Keep working hard, 

Sitch

 We had our first away game in Adelaide, which was a success! We came away winning 2-0. Last week was a very busy week as Katie and I spent a lot of time doing some appearances and working camps. One of my favorite days was going to an all girls school and teaching PE to the 6th grade girls. Katie and I showed up not expecting anything and not really sure what to do. It ended up being so much fun playing with the girls. We played small sided soccer games and then played one of my all time favorite games, rocks. It's a different version of capture the flag- My team unfortunately lost twice. I don't like to lose and still get competitive even playing with 6th graders! It was a really fun time and the kids were so awesome running around and working really hard. We ended with a big game of soccer. I just love working with kids. They make all the problems seem so small and always put a smile on your face! It's really special and unique when you see how many little kids you inspired and ones that now want to follow soccer when before they knew nothing about it. 

Overall, it's just been another week of training and staying on top of my work outs. Attending the men's World Cup Qualifying game against Oman. That was an interesting game to see, but a cool atmosphere. Just a lot of out and about through the city-finding our favorite places to eat- BIMBOS! They have great pizza and seems to be our go to from time to time. Grilled is also my favorite- it's healthy hamburgers! It's the cutest little joint they have here. As much as I love the food here, I am missing Trader Joe's dark chocolate covered raisins and anything else Trader Joe's carries!

 The weather is finally starting to be warmer, which means we'll be going to the beach more! Still planning our surfing trip...hoping that will come together soon! 

That's all for now- 

Sitch 

 October 12, 2009

After a successful first week- our 2nd week fell short late in the game giving up a goal on a corner kick. It was a scramble in the box that Brisbane, defending champions, put in. It was a hard fought game and pretty even at times. Each team had their chances to put the game away. Our goalkeeps Mellissa Barbieri was on FIRE!!! She definitely kept us alive in the game on several occasions. Over all, it was a good game and learning experience for the team to know what level we are capable of playing. 

Katie and I are proud to say we finally know how to get to one place without using the GPS-even though we still look at each other and question if this is the right way because every day things look different here. 

I just realized I haven't really introduced myself! My apologies. I come from the lovely Midwest- The state of Illinois and a little farm town called, Oswego! Oswego has some great perks to it-and of that is the amazing people that live there. I have many life time friends that reside in the little town. People that have always been supporting me through out my whole life and that I can always count on. I am about an hour and half away from what I think is one of the most incredible cities in the world, CHICAGO!!! Chicago has so much to offer and is a very unique city in many different ways. It's architecture , beautiful lake front and buildings all around. It gives a very cozy atmosphere. If you haven't visited, it's a city you must see! 

The off-season is treating me well. I am in Australia getting a great opportunity to work on my game and see the world, learn about another culture on and off the field. Playing overseas is one of the greatest experiences I have ever experienced and I am very lucky to have them. 

This week we are preparing for our first away game in Adelaide- which will be good! Until, next time- dream big-work hard!! 

Sitch

 October 8th- in Australia- 

It's been about 3 weeks now since I arrived in beautiful Melbourne, Australian.  I am here with Canadian Katie Thorlakson... where we spend our days together getting lost by our stupid GPS that randomly likes to shut off or takes us the longest way possible to get anywhere! I don't think we've made it anywhere yet in less than an hour when it's only supposed to take 30 min! Driving on the wrong side of the road is challenging- sometimes we forget and want to turn down the wrong side of the road. 

We had our first game against Perth- we won 2-0. It was great to see Collette as we played together this past summer. It's always good to catch up with friends after the game. 

We haven't seen any Kangaroos up close- only from a far, far distance. I did eat some Kangaroo though- never again will I do that! 

This weekend we have our biggest game against the last year champs-should be a good test of where we are at. 

I'll keep you posted with all our randomness that happens-mainly just us getting lost! 

 July 19, 2009 

This past we our team took a bus trip into New York City as we headed to one of our camps to say hello to the campers. It was a beautiful day and we did our normal regeneration the day after the game and then jumped in and played with the kids. It was great! The kids had such great personalities and it was good to just kick back and play with the kids. Made you remember, you play because you love the sport and have fun. Later that night, some of us were lucky enough to have some great tickets to the Galaxy vs. Red Bulls the other night. Very close action to the amazing David Beckham! Unfortunately, for the Red Bulls they lost 3-1. It's always good to get out and about. 

Getting ready for our big game against Chicago! Our schedule has been pretty hectic lately with 5 games in 2 weeks. I like it like that though, less practicing and lots of games! Today's game is crucial, as all the games are. Everyone is fighting for the top 4 spots to make the play offs. 

I'm just sitting around getting ready for my walk around the mall and some guitar hero before we head over to the fields. Guitar hero has become my pre-game routine while being at home. Go SKY BLUE!!!