Men's Soccer: Day 8 In Scotland
8/24/2004 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 24, 2004
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND--
7:30 a.m. - The Terps get up early for breakfast. They are greeted by another cool, overcast day here in Europe.
9:30-11 a.m.-- With a break from playing, the Terps use the morning for a "fun fitness" day. The team plays different versions of tag, including one where balls are tossed among the players as "base," and one where two (and only two) players are joined arm-in-arm to form a "base." The team also plays an on-land version of sharks and minnows, where one person is "it," and all of the other players try to run from one width of the field to the other. Every player tagged then goes arm-in-arm with the group that is "it." As the "it" group grows larger, they must move as one unit and move quickly. If they fail to capture a person on a turn, they must do push-ups.
There's lots of laughing and fun going on, but the games have more of a purpose than giving the players a much-needed break from the soccer grind of the trip. In all of the games, they are constantly running (and running hard), they are utilizing their agility (it's tough trying to dodge someone who's trying to tag you!) and they are talking and communicating and improving in their work as a single unit.
Another highlight of this morning's practice was A.J. Godbolt's unveiling of his new hairstyle called "The Hole." Apparently, as Maurice Edu was serving as barber, one of the blades slipped out of place and took a nice chunk out of Godbolt's head. (See today's photo gallery.)
Also at practice, peach fuzzy-faced freshman Kevin Reiman declared that by season's end he would be the burliest player in the ACC. Reiman, who hasn't shaved in a few weeks but still has no facial hair to speak of, has a ways to go before his mission is complete.
11:30-3:15 p.m.-- Before bussing downtown, the team gathers in the TV room waiting for the group to arrive. Olympic equestrian is on and the entire group is transfixed, proving that they'll pretty much watch anything.
The Terps bus to downtown Glasgow, and go their separate ways to tour the city, grab some lunch and do some more shopping. Another Starbucks appears, and the coffee-deprived staff again takes advantage.
Downtown is teeming with people, and shops big and small line several blocks of the area. It is interesting that there were only a few "native" stores, but for the most part, there were the same shops that are back at home: GAP, Hugo Boss, Foot Locker, Guess, Timberland, etc. There is some Scottish culture around on the streets, though, as men in kilts provided entertainment for passers-by by playing bagpipes and drums. Further away from the shopping is a more cultural district, where statues and churches that have stood for centuries sit on top of a hill.
3:30-6 p.m.-- The Terps hit the lanes for some good old fashioned bowling. Michael Dello-Russo, apparently a ringer from the Columbia Bowling Association, set the pace in the first game by rolling a 189. Noah Palmer lived and died with each ball he threw, reacting with a yelp after every strike he rolled. Godbolt screamed and yelled at his ball all the way down the lane, and performed flamboyant dances after strikes. Ellis Welker bowled a pair of 120-plus games, one right-handed and the other left-handed.
But the day belonged to Associate Athletic Director Shawn Flynn, who rolled an epic 195 to take the title. Flynn, a fierce competitor out of Western Pennsylvania, needed a large 10th frame to pull off the victory, rolled a strike and then a nine to come up with the pressure-packed victory.
On the way out of the alley, the team got sidetracked by the arcade, in particular a version of Dance Dance Revolution. Kenney Bertz and Craig Salvati went at it first, with Bertz prevailing. However, little did the team know that the ultimate Dance Dance Revolution world champion resided in that bowling alley. The team persuaded Aki Kadotoni to take on the dance wiz, but it was no match as the incumbent breezed through all of the moves with ease. Bertz took a shot at him, but it was to no avail. The team thinks the guy is a traveling Dance Dance Revolution hustler.
6:30-7 p.m.-- Dinner back at the university dining hall.
7:15-9:15 p.m.-- The squad walks up the street to watch "Tuesday Night Football," which tonight is Chelsea against Crystal Palace. The Terps watch the first half and then head back to the dorms for the night. Tomorrow the team will take a tour of Edinburgh before playing Hearts FC in the evening.
Check back in to umterps.com for tomorrow's update.
