Coming off a banner year in Wesleyan men's soccer history with a 2005 NESCAC
tournament title, automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, a
first-round NCAA win in overtime at Muhlenberg and an overtime loss to
eventual repeat national champion Messiah, the Cardinals made their
second international excursion in the last four years with a trip to Brazil
August 10-22, 2006..
Wesleyan men's soccer last ventured
out of the country for international competition in August, 2002 when the team
traveled to Great Britain for activity in England and Scotland.
A contingent of 21 players, two
coaches and a certified athletic trainer headed to San Paolo, Brazil
Thursday, August 10 and arrived back in New York City Tuesday, August 22.
While in Brazil, the team spent most of its time in Aguas de Lindoia.
There the team trained for two days before playing the first of four
exhibition games against local clubs and national "U" squads. The team
also watched two professional games and spent a day white-water rafting
as its key elements of recreation. Wesleyan went 1-3 in its exhibition games,
winning its first game, 4-1, before dropping the final three, 4-2, 5-2, and
5-0. Matt Nevin '09 and Kyle Nuland '09 each had a pair of goals during
the trip to spark the offense.
The Cardinals begin defense of their
NESCAC tournament title Saturday, Sept. 9 when the team travels to
Williamstown, Mass. to take on perennial national power and 2004 NESCAC
champion Williams. Wesleyan defeated Williams for the first time in 13 years
with a 1-0 victory in the NESCAC tournament semi-finals hosted by Williams
last November.
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SCENES FROM THE TRIP
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| The Cardinals in stretching mode prior to a
game vs. Itapira, a 5-2 victory for the home squad. Matt Nevin '09
and Kyle Nuland '09 found the net for Wesleyan. |
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| Itapira, a Division II team, warms up on
the field prior to its game with Wesleyan. |
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| The wonderful accommodations for Wesleyan
at Oscar's Inn and Resort, where the Cardinals spent their first week of
training. |
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| Action during a futsol game, the indoor
version of soccer in Brazil. The country seems lined with futsol
courts! |
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| The Cardinals prepare for their white-water
rafting trip along some of the rapids of Brazil. |
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| Taking in the countryside while a few brave
Cardinals work on their tans during a day off from training. Crosses
are a constant fixture in Brazil. |