Day 3

Today, after breakfast and a bus ride to the "pitch", UCFH was greeted with a new Dutch hockey trainer. His dry sense of humor and exciting new leap frog- ish warm up games that will be "great for our muscles" along with some Men's Spanish inspired hockey drills left us all excited to be able to work with him for the next few days. His unfamiliar but seemingly easily forgotten name will be shared tomorrow.  His serenade of the the birthday girl (Rachel.. yay!) in Dutch concluded our practice for the morning. We all loaded the bus to catch lunch in our small village of Valkenburg before heading to the Cave tour!

(some members of the team playing leap frog at our training session)

After arriving at the entrance to the caves, unnerving bathroom breaks and a 40 m descent on a never ending spiral staircase left us in the largest underground mines of marl stone in Europe extending over 70 kilometers.

(Shafi and Pappas holding hands in fear walking down the steps to the caves)

Our differing levels of biking experience were demonstrated as we trekked through the cold and humid tunnels yelling BUKKEN for duck. No worries though, parents!.. our expensively educated heads were protected in beautifully fitted hard hats complete with protective hairnets.  Our favorite stop of the tour included a room filled serenely lit perfumed candles and marked with intricate religious charcoal drawings. Upon completing our favorite excursion thus far we made it back to Valkenburg to get ready for our next friendly match. 

As we lined up across from our opponents the size deficit was obvious, but UCFH persevered as Jenna Stover broke open our international goal scoring on a nicely executed corner, a goal followed by Maddie and an impressive second half by the entire team. A short visit was payed to our opponents in their club house before loading the bus. 

Upon entering the hotel after another late game night, everyone seemed to catch a second wind as Rachel was serenaded by the entire lobby which was full of British elders who insisted on having us join them for the YMCA song . After YMCA-ing for a bit with sore legs and a talented pianist.. as a tribute he began to play the national anthem which the entire team felt obligated to finish with the traditional "home of the bears" ending. It was a great way to conclude an eventful day. Some of us caught a stretch with Van de Berg in the hotel pool before heading to bed early in preparation for our friendly match against HC Heerlen/Kerkrade tomorrow! More pictures/videos and updates to come :-) 

Best, 

Jul