Men's Soccer Blog: Day Three in Spain

All in all, today was a transition day for the team. A midnight curfew the night before gave players a solid night of sleep before a majority of the team got up early to visit the touristy areas of Barcelona to do some of the more stereotypical shopping and site seeing. Las Ramblas, the epitome of a tourist trap in the heart of commercial Barcelona was the destination. A slight drizzle didn't stop the team from strolling through the scenic streets of Las  Ramblas, stopping periodically at small vendors and local markets to buy souvenirs and knick knacks. After a relaxing morning of shopping, it was time for the team to say their last goodbyes to the beautiful port city of Barcelona. But all goodbyes are only the beginnings of new journeys. 

The next stop was Valencia! And despite the ominous thought of a 5 hour bus ride, the team was excited to see what else Spain had in store for them. The long trip was made easier by a brief stop at Peniscola. Here the team saw and explored a famous Spanish castle whose borders were surrounded on all sides but one by the Mediterranean Sea. The massive and ominous  walls were only an ugly disguise for the beauty within, which included some incredible architecture, royal sculptures and a maze  of cobblestone paths that climbed to the top of the spanish fortress. In addition to some amazing views of the Mediterranean, players also browsed a multitude of various vendors and cafes within the walls of the castle. A quality 3 course, pre-game  meal, as well as a few team shenanigans in a local park were the perfect ending for the midday adventures.

But now it was time for business, soccer business that is. Our second match of the Spain tour would be against local Valencia club, Paris. From various sources it was gathered that this squad was a decent side, but the Penn State Behrend  side was ready to stand their ground. After 90 minutes of play, Paris had certainly lived up to their reputation and outplayed the Behrend team. With that said, though, it is fair to say that the Behrend men showed that they could hold their own against any squad, regardless of talent and skill. The team exemplified the meaning of playing with heart and energy. By the the time the fall season rolls around, the team will be thankful for the great opportunity and the experience gained as they utilize what they learned against other teams in the AMCC and around the region. 

Submitted by Pat Johnson, sophomore