Thursday marked the women's soccer team's final day of structured soccer activities in Spain, as well as time to explore our new locale. The day started with a training session with the Swarthmore coaches just outside the city. Following some competitive and spirited games of "What's in your bag?" and group juggling (won by the team of Melissa Trofa, Caroline Khanna, Hannah Lichtenstein and Amy DiPierro), the team worked on long ball service and penetrating balls in the final third in order to prepare for the last match of this international trip.
Before the night's match, however, the team was excited to have a free day to spend exploring downtown Madrid on their own. Despite embarking from the hotel in smaller groups, the team managed to all collide in the Mercado de San Miguel (a charming covered market occupied by thirty-three vendors selling fresh produce, fish, pasta, meat and fantastic desserts in a beautiful atmosphere). Talk about team unity! Nearby to the San Miguel Market, the team also enjoyed walking through the more well-known Puerta del Sol, where we had the opportunity to touch the center point to all of Spain, shop for souvenirs, and taste delicious churros and other unique treats.
Upon return to our home base, the women enjoyed a team dinner in the hotel before taking off by bus for our final match against Rayo Vallecano. The women were awed, initially by the stunning facility at Ciudad Deportiva Fundacion and then by the technical prowess of the first division Champions League powerhouse. Some of the juggling skills that the opposing players exhibited effortlessly left those watching enthralled and almost with mouths agape. Despite a lopsided scoring line, the Garnet women held their own against some of the best women's players in all of Spain.
More detailed game write-up to follow.
