@CanesFutbol Captain's Corner: Aug. 6, 2015

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The captains of the University of Miami soccer team for the 2015 season are writing a blog for HurricaneSports.com this year called Captain’s Corner, with Shannon McCarthy providing the opening entries this offseason.

Thursday, in her fourth entry, McCarthy recaps the team’s first day of preseason camp Wednesday at Cobb Stadium . . .

Salutations, Canes fans! The 2015 season has officially started! Day one was an overall success. The testing results we accomplished were great. I am so proud of everyone and the effort they put forth yesterday. We will continue this effort for the rest of preseason and into the regular season, and find tremendous success.

In the morning we ran our first fitness test. We trained the entire summer for that moment. I could see the confidence on my teammates’ faces before we started. All the preparation and work we put in over the summer paid off. The relief and pride that washes over a player when she passes the test is the most rewarding thing to see for me as a captain.

After the fitness test, Coach Monroe split us up and we scrimmaged. The level of play was high and everyone played with intensity. Despite running a fitness test, the speed of play was fast. There were some great goals scored yesterday morning. It’ll be great to see goals like that scored on Thursdays and Sundays this season!

The afternoon session was for technical testing. All of the tests coach was putting us through involved a ball. The team was prepared for these tests as well after the training we did over the summer. We’re always cheering each other on and staying positive during these tests.

Ice baths after each session are essential for recovery. Although the first 30 seconds of the ice bath are bitter cold, once the legs are numb the relief starts to set in and it feels great. Hydrating and eating are also vital to recovery. Our athletic trainer requires us weigh in and out before and after each training session. That way she is able to see if we are eating and drinking enough water between sessions. I lost four pounds during the morning’s session, so I had to eat and drink a lot before the afternoon training session!

Building on a positive start is exciting. This team has nothing to lose and everything to gain this year. We have big goals we are looking forward to accomplishing this year, and we’re off to a fantastic start.

Thanks for reading! Go Canes!