Off the Field with Anik Huffman and Lindsay Curtin
Oct. 18, 2004
Anik and the Hurricanes return home for win against cross-town rival FIU after a long road trip to the Tar Heel state.
Thursday, October 7
Today we played them with them equaling North Carolina – the big day finally came. Although the score ended up 5-1, I think we came out winners in some other aspects. North Carolina played well and up to their potential – they are a quality team.
We came out in our regular formation and refused to compromise to play them any differently than we would play any other team, earning their respect and giving us some much needed confidence. It was fun to play them and know what the essence of the ACC has to offer and where our team is headed. We were able to get ourselves on the board with a goal on pure effort by Butcher. Good job Brit!!
Saturday, October 9
This is the fourth day of our road trip. This is a long one. We had a light practice this morning and played an eventful game of what we like to call “ESPN PowerGames” edition of soccer darts. We can teach you how to play if you want, but needless to say it was fun.
Later in the afternoon we went to the mall… for three hours!! We thought there was a movie theater adjacent to the mall and Durkee, I and some other people were going to go to Friday Night Lights. Then we found out that the movie theater wasn’t even in walking distance.
To kill some time, Durkee and I bought some Nicholas Sparks books (he’s awesome…he wrote The Notebook and A Walk To Remember) and went to the store Brookstone.
We made friends with the manager and sat in those massage chairs for a probably an hour, haha. I waved to a lot of people on our team as they walked by and saw us lounging away.
After that we all just walked around, had some lunch and did a little shopping. That night we went to dinner – gosh those meals just keep coming. Road trips are just jammed packed with eating you have to be smart about what you eat. I for sure eat more on road trips than when we are home!! Tomorrow we have Wake Forest in another important ACC game.
Sunday, October 10
Unfortunately there is no good news from here. We were all pretty emotional after the game. A disappointing loss, but what really stung us all much more than the loss was another one of us had been victimized by yet another injury. Why Sheuneen? NO!!!
We couldn’t believe it. It just seems so unfair. Sheuneen will be the third person on our team this season to tear her ACL, and they all have seemed to happen within the past two weeks.
I have spoken to Sheuneen recently and she will be in a cast to allow her MCL to attempt to heal naturally before she gets her ACL surgery.
Without doubt, Sheuneen’s presence will be missed on the field. But Sheuneen, you have such a bright future, so take care of yourself and get better. Know we are all in this together and without a doubt you will come back stronger than ever.
So, this is it okay guys? No more injuries – not that it is in our control. This season has proved time and again that we will experience some setbacks and serious challenges, but I know the character of our team is indestructible as we continue to demonstrate our resilience. We will fight through the rest of this season with the support of those who have been forced to be sidelined. We can use our frustration and channel it into a momentum to allow us to finish the season strong and carry ourselves into the postseason with poise and confidence.
Wednesday, October 13
Happy 21st Birthday Kelly!! It is only fitting that she scored the game winner tonight to give us the thing we needed most – A WIN. And it was against in-state rival FIU.
I got a black eye tonight, haha, I look tough. I think I managed to add some humor to the game – I wish I could see tape of it. I thought I could get to the ball before the FIU defender and I went in hard. Whoops, I had to take a second to collect myself as I laid on the field. But then, like a great teammate would, Butcher was over to lend me a helping hand and pick me up off the ground.
That is what is going to get us through the adversity of this season – the bond we share with one another. What an amazing gift of friendship we will all enjoy even after our years of eligibility come to an end. But to sum it up, tonight we got the win we wanted and needed.
Our next game is Tuesday night, the 19th at home against FSU. Only two more home games ever for us guys (Radice, GG, Butcher, and myself)!! Let’s make them memorable and end the season at home with some W’s!!
The Seminoles are an in-state rival and also an ACC opponent, so this game will be extremely important. Check back next Tuesday and GO CANES!!!
– Anik
Lindsay reflects on a tough week with matches against North Carolina and Wake Forest before returning to Coral Gables with a win against FIU.
Friday, October 15
On Wednesday, we finally left for our long awaited trip to North Carolina. We arrived that night, and went to a great dinner at Maggianos Italian Restaurant and then back to our Hotel.
The next morning we woke and went to practice at UNC before our game that night. We then went to lunch and had a short rest before going off to the game.
I was able to hang out with my mom who had come down from Virginia for the game! I was happy to see her because I miss her here in Miami!
So we were finally ready for our game and I was so nervous! We were about to play the best team in the country. However, once the game started it was just like any other game.
We played well and worked really hard yet we did not come out with the results we hoped for. Nevertheless, we did score a goal against the No. 1 team in the country which was pretty cool.
We stayed in North Carolina until Sunday when we played Wake Forest. It was a tough game. Not only did we suffer a tough loss, but also Sheuneen tore her ACL, MCL, and some meniscus.
I KNOW!! Our third ACL tear in ONE WEEK!! It is crazy! Not only have we had ACL problems but also Jyene has no cartilage in her knee which is keeping her off the field too! I feel so badly for all of them. But they are keeping in such good spirits; we just want them back on the field healthy as soon as possible!
We got back late Sunday night after the hard trip to North Carolina. It was back to class Monday morning after being away for what felt like forever.
We then set our sites on our game against our cross-town rivals, FIU. After practice Monday and Tuesday we were ready to beat FIU and we did! In a hard fought game Wednesday night, we dominated FIU and came out we a 1-0 win.
It is great to get another win under our belts especially with a large audience including some recruits. After the game we all met the recruits and I was excited because I was hosting one of them for a few days.
It was so weird to have a recruit stay with me because it feels like just yesterday I was a recruit, going around and taking official visits to different schools. I felt so old hosting one, I mean…I’m a college student – I still can’t believe it! After class and three hours of study hall on Thursday (yes, I do procrastinate and I could have gotten them done earlier) and a fun practice a bunch of us took the recruits to the football game against Louisville.
They even got to go on the field before the game – I wasn’t so lucky! But we also still had a great time! The games are so fun and exciting and the atmosphere in the Orange Bowl is incredible! I love it. It was a great game too, another nail biter, but our second-half Hurricanes once again came out on top!
My recruit left this morning, and after a busy week of soccer, school and excitement I am dead! I am done with my classes and we don’t have practice today, so I am ready for a nice relaxing weekend. But not too relaxing, I have an exam on Monday and we have practice on Saturday and Sunday to get ready for our BIG game against FSU on Tuesday!
Come out and support us; 7 p.m. at Cobb Stadium as we upset our highly ranked rivals, the Seminoles.
I had a great week and I hope the recruits who came did too! I am now going to take a much needed nap! Don’t forget to come out Tuesday and Thursday to cheer us on! LETS GO CANES!!!
– Lindsay
