Women's Soccer: 10-day, 4-game trip to Brazil begins Aug. 10th

Michelyne Pinard's Williams women's soccer team will depart for a 10-day, four-game preseason trip to Brazil on August 10. This will mark the second time that Pinard has taken an Eph team to Brazil, the first being in 2005.

Only returning players from last year's team are eligible to make the preseason trip under NCAA rules. Pinard will have 19 players available from a team that compiled a record of 17-1 last fall.

The Ephs won their first 17 games last season, captured the NESCAC title and advanced to the "Sweet Sixteen" of the NCAA Tournament, while setting Williams records for most wins in a season and most consecutive wins in a season.

Headlining the list of returnees is senior forward Gabby Woodson who scored an Eph record 14 goals in 2007, while adding seven assists (35 points). Back to join Woodson up front is junior forward Brianna Wolfson who scored 10 goals and assisted on 10 more (30 points).

Anchoring the Eph defense will be junior goalie Lauren Sinnenberg who compiled an impressive goals against average of 0.30 last season, allowing just five goals in 1496 minutes.

The Ephs will compete in the four 11-sided games without benefit of any practice opportunities before they arrive in Brazil. The Ephs will play full-sided contests on August 12, 14, 16 & 18. However, while they are in Brazil the Ephs will also have a chance to play some beach soccer and even a little Futsal.

On the first part of the trip the Ephs will be staying in Aguas de Lindoia at Oscar's Training Center.  Oscar's is a state of the art soccer training complex that is more of a soccer resort with six fields, pool, spa, and dorm rooms.

"Brazil will be a great opportunity for us to come together before the season," stated Eph head coach Michelyne Pinard. "We have a large young contingent. Playing and training opportunities in Brazil will allow them to come into their own, to help them gain confidence on and off the field."

The trip is not all soccer as there will be cultural experiences blended in with Eph visits to Monte Siao, Serra Negra and Sao Paulo. An off road tour in the mountains, a Schooner Trip around Santos Bay, taking in a professional game and visiting the Pele Memorial at the famed Santos Football Club are also included.

"It will be an intense and fun 10 days of soccer and cultural immersion," said Pinard. "No doubt it will be rewarding on many fronts."

The Ephs will open their 2008 regular season on September 6th at home vs. Endicott.

The Eph seniors are teaming up to provide daily updates from Brazil. Updates on the trip will be posted frequently – check back often.