Soccer season was officially over as of October 25, and we played our best game of the year! We were generating a lot of offense but we just couldn't seem to knock a goal in there. We have never worked so well on the defensive end of things. We just seemed to click! We had a great fan base to cheer us on, as always. Between our families, friends, Mount Aloysius faculty, staff, and students, we ended on a high note and were very appreciative of the support we had received throughout the season.

Yesterday we had another successful and productive Powderpuff football practice. Our coach Kevin Kime, who is also the Student Life Coordinator and head baseball coach, went over several plays with us and was enthusiastic about the progress we were making. He is really into this program, as are we, and he is even making us playbooks!! :o) The game is being held at the Penn Cambria High School football field on November 9th at 8:00pm. If you are in the area, stop by because I'm sure this is something you won't want to miss.

I also had Step practice yesterday. We are continuously getting better, and I know that we will be ready for our November 14th debut at the Meet the Mounties event that is being held on campus. This will be an opportunity for families, students, and faculty to meet the winter season athletes as well as members of the Dance, Step and Cheerleading teams/squads. I'm very excited about performing for everybody because I have never done anything like this before.

Well, I better go...I think that I'm going to head down to the gym for awhile...

Laura

PS -- I hope to see you at the next Admissions Visitation Day on November 10!!

Posted by Laura Deely at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This weekend I went to Ohio with the men's and women's soccer teams for a match against Lake Erie College. I was so wired from running around on Friday, so it was difficult to sleep on the bus. I stayed up and watched the movies we had playing, worked in my sketchbook and talked with a couple of my friends who were having a difficult time sleeping as well. As soon as we got to the hotel, a couple of us girls walked down the street to a convenience store and came back to hang around the pool area. It was a very nice indoor pool, and some of the girls found it too hard to resist. Katy, Jill, Jess, Kayla and Ann decided to go for a late night swim, and we all had a blast! :o) After that, I chilled in the room with Bobb, Ashley and Vicki for awhile and then watched some TV with JP, Katy, Jess, Kayla and Ann.

The next morning we woke up, had breakfast and went to the game. We got there a little early so some of us hung out on the bus and some waited in the gym. The weather was beautiful for a soccer game, and we played very well. My friend Bobb was injured in the first half. She's had a rough season with injuries and I know how I feel when I'm hurt...it's no fun.

Yesterday Mount Aloysius had it's second fall visitation day. I had an amazing tour group! They were very enthused about the College and especially liked my room in the residence hall. Several of them commented on how much they enjoyed the personal attention and our ability to answer all of their questions, as well as giving them our opinions and new insights. I was also able to speak with a girl who is interested in playing soccer and might be thinking about majoring in psychology. She was so interested in the College that I suggested she come back for another visit and maybe spend a night in the residence halls with me so that she could get a feel for life in the at Mount Aloysius and maybe sit in on one of my classes. Overall, it was an amazing day.

Well, I have a load of laundry that is calling my name...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 6:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week I had two mid-terms to turn in for my Ethics and Survey of American Literature courses. Thursday we had another soccer game, this time against Juniata College. I also had attended the SGA meeting, Mercy Social and step practice. I was up pretty late trying to get things in order for Friday and spending some time with my roommates Christine and Amber. We watched a movie, made popcorn and drank some hot chocolate...because the weather is starting to develop an autumn chill! :o)

This morning I was up early in order to help with the annual Mount Aloysius College Health Quest. During Health Quest, various organizations come to the campus to promote health careers to numerous high schools that visit Mount Aloysius for the day. I spent most of the day in the Pierce Science Center showing our various labs that are geared toward healthcare professions, such as Ultrasonography, X-Ray Technology, Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant Programs, and Biology. The schools I met with were very interested in the wide variety of programs that we offer and enjoyed the presentations given by Department Chairpersons and current students.

I better get going...I'm leaving with the soccer teams for another overnight game at Lake Erie College in Ohio. Maybe I will get lucky this time and not hurt my other thumb!! :o)

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I must have been crazy to think that I might actually get a break over Mid-Term break! :o) We had two soccer games over the long weekend, but they were both home matches, so I didn't have to go far. Before our Saturday game, Coach Kelly took the entire team out for breakfast at Cresson Springs Family Restaurant. It was great to spend some quiet time with the girls and catch up on everything that is going on. Usually we are so busy during practice and games that we don't really have time to talk...so this was a nice change of pace.

I also got to spend some time with my friends from back home. We went out to lunch and caught up on some movies. We watched Click with Adam Sandler...it was amazing!! It was also nice to finally be home with my family. Even though they have come to every home game, it wasn't the same. I loved being able to sit down and have dinner together and watch movies or go shopping. I also loved being home because it meant that I could be with my two dogs, Buster and Muffin. I have missed them so much!!

I came back early on Tuesday for Powderpuff football practice and a soccer game, but the game was postponed to today. This gave me a chance to get ahead on some homework and reading. Believe it or not, I also got to spend some quality time with my sketchbook. Now that I have picked it back up, I've found it to be difficult in putting it down.

Well, I have to get to a Scrapbook Club meeting...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 8:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After all of the soccer games, activities, club meetings, classes, and work, I am finally going home for the first time this semester. This first semester has been so fun and busy, especially the weekends. My friends and I were never bored because we had so many options to have fun. I think I can honestly say that I know this college inside and out now. This week wasn't incredibly busy, which was something new for me. :o) I only had one mid-term exam and one soccer game. I had a couple of meetings and practices including the first Powderpuff Football practice I shared with you last time.

Powderpuff Football is going to be AWESOME!! The teams were split into upperclassmen and underclassmen. However, some of the sophomores, including me, were bumped up to the upperclassmen team to fill in a couple of spots. Our team is going to have so much fun. We have a great line, wide-receivers, running backs, etc. Our quarterback just tops it all...Sue Brugh, who is in charge of Student Involvement and Leadership, is our QB. The underclassmen had better watch their backs, but no matter what happens, I'm sure we're all going to have fun. I know the guys will have fun because they will be our cheerleaders!! I can't wait to see that.

Well, I really should finish packing. I'm going to miss this place over break. :o)

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 4:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This weekend, the Men's and Women's soccer teams ventured to Buffalo, NY to play Medaille College in a double-header match. The bus rides always seem to create some interesting memories. My favorite part was sharing a pint of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream with my twin, Lindsey Bobb. We also listened to some music, watched the movie Miracle, and caught up on some much needed z's from the busy week. We were so excited when we got to the hotel!! I got to spend some time with Lindsey, Ashley and Vicki before lights out.

In the morning, we all went to Denny's for breakfast...you have to have those hearty meals before a big game!! When we arrived at the soccer complex, the weather was beautiful; it was perfect for a day of soccer. We played our game first followed by the Men's game. During our game, I dove for the ball to make a save and ended up spraining my right thumb. I wanted to stay in but they ended up taking me out of the game so I could get it looked at. I made that save though!! :o) Overall, it was a great weekend with the girls. I will never forget it and I can't wait for our next overnight trip to Lake Erie on the 20th

I'm off to Powderpuff Football practice...it's our first meeting so I can't wait to see what our team is like...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Everybody knows that I want to be an admissions counselor after I graduate from Mount Aloysius. This week, I got a little taste of what i's going to be like. On Tuesday, I went to a college fair in Indiana with Rick Mishler and John Porter. Normally, the admissions counselors bring student ambassadors along to the fairs so that we may help answer questions pertaining to the College, our particular majors, athletics and what living on campus is really like. We met so many students and had so much fun that we went out for ice cream following the fair.

On Wednesday, Lisa Mrugala and myself joined up with admissions counselors Sandy Martin and Julie Mellott for the college fair held in my hometown of Altoona. I was excited to go because I hadn't been home in a couple of weeks and I always see some familiar faces at the Altoona fair. I met several students who were interested in the psychology major and a couple of girls who were interested in playing soccer and softball.

As much as I do not like to admit it, I actually liked waking up at the crack of dawn to travel to these college fairs. It was a very rewarding experience and I learned a lot from the admissions counselors.

Well, I'm off to Step practice followed up by a movie night with my friends...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 8:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This semester is proving to be my busiest so far. Even though I live 15 minutes away from home, I have been staying on campus every weekend since school started. Between soccer games, open houses and other various school activities, I have been just as busy on the weekends as I am during the week. As I have said before, however, I LOVE being busy.

This past weekend SAAC, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, along with Children's Advocacy Association, hosted a Take A Kid to the Game day because Women's Volleyball, Women's Soccer and Men's Soccer were hosting home matches. The athletes stayed around after the games to sign autographs for the kids who came to enjoy and partake in the festivities. We had face painting, balloon animals, and give-a-ways as well as entertainment provided by clowns for the guests to enjoy. My family came up for the soccer game and surprised me by bringing my Aunt, Uncle and three cousins. The girls loved everything!

We then went down to Cosgrave to enjoy some musical entertainment provided by John Rush, the Human I-POD. Any song that you requested, he would perform. I enjoyed him because he had a great selection of classic rock: the Eagles, the Who, CCR, etc. My parents especially enjoyed listening to him and the girls loved getting up and dancing around. There was a great turnout for his performance.

After the concert, I showed my family around campus a bit, including the new pedestrian mall. They particularly loved seeing my room in the residence hall. My cousins found a soccer ball that I had under my bed and began kicking it around saying, "Hey look! I'm Laura, I'm in college and I love to play soccer." It was fun being able to show them the place I love so much.

Well, it's time for some homework...mid-terms are right around the corner!!

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)