A little Q and A from some beloved alumni…

We sat down with an alumni from the class of 2017 and asked them some questions and boy, did they give us some answers!

Q1: What is something you miss most from college?

A1: What I miss most about college is not being able to walk down the hallway, step across the room or even walk through the bathroom and see my best friends! We all live in different states or hours away so it’s hard to see each other and hang out. I made my best friends in college while playing soccer and they are who helped me get through college in one piece!

Q2: Do you miss the rigorous schedule of being a student-athlete?

A2: Kind of. I thought my schedule was hectic then, but little did I know it was helping me prepare for what my life is now. It has helped me stay on top of my job and all the curve balls life has thrown at me.

Q3: What do you miss the least about college?

A3: I do not miss group projects or the caf food! 😂 I do not know what the food is like now but they really went down hill or maybe I am just a picky eater! I had to learn to budget and learn to make the most of snacks. Peanut Butter became my best friend!

Q4: What do you miss most about being on a team?

A4: What I miss most about being on a team is having someone who knows what you are going through and still being able to encourage other and help each other get through the workouts! Now, I still have those amazing girls helping me get through life while making it fun but they aren’t down the hallway or just a short trip away. I loved seeing the team 2-3 times a day and just being able to be in a family atmosphere. We didn’t win a lot when I was on the team (which they are now and it is so awesome!!) so we definitely had to encourage and push each other even when we didn’t feel like it. I can’t describe how blessed I am that I got to be a part of the NGU family and if you get a chance to be apart of this awesome program, I highly recommend you take part, you won’t regret it.

Wrapping It Up

The NGUWS team can look back and be incredibly proud of their season.  Breaking school history with a Conference Carolinas second place finish and final record of 8-3-0, the girls constantly increased their level of play and gave each team a run for their money.  A tough loss in the playoffs against Barton hit the Crusaders hard.  It was a full ninety minutes of battling on the pitch, they just could not quite find the back of the net. Coach Robinson and Aulick are incredibly proud of the team and all the hard work they have put in this season.  The coaching staff know that this season will only fuel the girls to work harder and strive for excellence as they enter the off-season and into fall of 2019.

As the semester comes to a close, the girls are taking a small break, to heal their bodies and get in the right mindset as they continue.  They are enjoying a little extra free time to prepare for final exams and catch up on sleep.  Coach Robinson always hosts the team for “Christmas at Coach’s” for dinner, an ugly Christmas Sweater competition, trivia games, and a white elephant gift exchange.  This is something everyone looks forward to as a post-season activity.

Big things are happening on the North Greenville University Women’s Soccer team.  Keep up with all the fun by following us on Instagram: @nguwomenssoccer Twitter: @nguwomenssoccer and Facebook: NGU Women’s Soccer

NGUWS Makes School History

The North Greenville Women’s Soccer team continues to prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Conference Carolinas, and nationwide.  The Lady Crusaders finished a corner kick to beat the Georgia College and State University Bobcats on Wednesday, October, 3rd, in Pepsi Stadium.  Georgia College was ranked thirteenth in the nation of all NCAA Division 2 schools.  The girls battled hard, and finished a good opportunity.  This was a monumental moment for the program, and school.

To follow their stand-out performance, NGU faced Conference Carolinas rival, Belmont Abbey, in a fight for second place.  Sophomore midfielder, Abby Robinson, finished a beautiful corner kick from junior forward, Karly Denaburg, to put NGU up 1-0.  The girls hunkered down and defended the win, to finish 1-0.  NGU came out victorious in the annual “Battle of the Crusaders” and now sit second in the conference behind Limestone College.  The girls will face Limestone at home on Wednesday, October 17th, with a 5pm kickoff.

The NGU Women’s Soccer team hosted “Rivalry Weekend” with their match against Chowan University on Saturday, October, 6th.  Pepsi stadium was hopping with family, friends, and alumni all afternoon.  The girls took another win over Chowan, putting the cherry on top for a perfect weekend.  The program hopes to keep growing the annual “Rivalry Weekend” and build the soccer family.

Big, big, things are happening in Tigerville! We want to take time to thank all of our fans, friends, family, coaches, faculty, students, and university for all the love and support! Lets go Crusaders! #SwordsUp

 

Big News in Tigerville!

With a 3-1 record in Conference Carolinas, the NGU 2018 Women’s soccer team has forever changed the programs history.  The Crusaders are currently in second place, the best this program has ever seen.  A tough loss to Barton College in double overtime has fueled the girls to train, and play, better than ever.

The NGU community is looking forward to Rivalry Weekend for their match against Chowan on Saturday, October 6th.  Alumni, family, and friends will be in Tigerville to cheer on the Crusaders to a win over conference rival, Chowan University.  After the match there will be fellowship and food, as the girls spend time with their fans.  To RSVP about the cookout after the game, email nguwomenssoccer@gmail.com.

Senior night is quickly approaching.  The NGU Women’s soccer team will take on Converse College on Friday, October, 26th, at 7pm, in Pepsi Stadium.  This will be a night filled with soccer, joy, and lots of laughs as we honor our three seniors, Asheton Robinson, Jaimie Shutt, and Micheala Gleed.  Come at 6:30 for Senior festivities and a time of celebration for the girls.

 

Let the Games Begin!

Friday, August, 24th ended the NGU Women’s Soccer Team “Iron Sharpens Iron” preseason camp.  The girls worked extremely hard, passing fitness tests, practicing multiple times a day, taking recovery ice baths, and building bonds with each other that will last a lifetime. Early in the week, the team traveled to Pleasant Ridge Camp for some team building time in the pool, gaga ball pit, dinner, and the annual NGUWS Talent Show.  In the Talent Show each class performed a talent, with other independent acts added in.  The Sophomore class took home the gold with their workout act and memorization of the “Creed” to close out the performance.  The Seniors put up some steep competition with a dance and fancy glow-in-the-dark costumes. The talent show is always a hit among everyone involved.

The name “Iron Sharpens Iron Camp” comes from one of the core verses of this program, Proverbs 27:17, stating “Iron sharpens Iron so one person sharpens another.”  The girls use this verse to keep each other accountable, and pursue excellence in every task. ISI camp encompasses what this program strives for in every facet.  The Iron games are a set of physical fitness tests, and technical soccer skills that are scored to help determine a winner by the end of the week.  The competition is always tight, the returners come back with a drive to win and the freshmen come in ready to prove themselves.  This year was no different, the girls came in ready to compete, and the scores reflected that.  For field players Junior Captain Ariana Perry came out victorious with Seniors Asheton Robinson, and Michaela Gleed following close behind. The Goalkeepers have the “Golden Glove challenge”, an Iron games equivalent, with more tailored events to goalkeeping.  Sophomore Bri Rowe edged out the win over Redshirt Sophomore Annie Miller.

ISI preseason camp is officially over and the team begins the regular season on Thursday, August, 30th with a home opener against Lander University and a 7pm kickoff.

 

Where are they now?

So, you probably are wondering what happens to your life when you graduate college and you don’t play soccer anymore (yes, it will happen). Well, never fear! NGU women’s soccer will always have a place for you, no matter where you are in life. There will be post about NGU alumni and where they are in their lives, just to give you hope that you will have a life once soccer has come to an end, but just so you know it never really ends.

Here is Rylee Marks, I mean Rylee Johnson!

Rylee is married now and even has a child! She has a beautiful baby boy and his name is Kai and he is a little over four months now. She finishing school this year and Joel (her husband) is going to grad school next year!

Here is a picture of Rylee and her adorable family:

Summer Work Out Book: 2018

2018 Summer Work Out Book

Hi Players!

Use the link above to access a power point document with all the information you’ll need to enter camp in August prepared.  There are explanations, video examples, and thorough details of all required summer tasks so you should be set after reading and watching everything.  Let’s maintain a culture of accountability to push, support, encourage and challenge one another and 2018 freshmen if you need help contact your SIS.  Have a fantastic summer and we look forward to seeing everyone ready to go in August (2018’s at the July ID Camp) .

Sincerely,

Coach Kait, Coach Andy and Coach AJ

Welcoming the new with the old: Future Crusader Weekend

North Greenville University will welcome twelve new women’s soccer players and the rest of the 2018 incoming freshman class to Tigerville, S.C. on Saturday, April 14 for Future Crusader day.

The focus of the weekend is to foster an attitude of excitement in the future students and to introduce them to their soon-to-be home. The soccer program plans to do the same for its twelve new family members by hosting a family and friends “Movie on the Lawn” at Pepsi stadium on Friday the 13.

Movie on the Lawn is open event to any family or friend of the program. Pops, Rocky Robinson, will fire up the grill to provide free hot dogs and hamburgers starting at 6 p.m. Served on the side will be finger foods, Spike Ball, and soccer tennis. Once dusk falls and the food settles, the players have chosen their favorite flick that is expected to wrap-up the night with laughter and smiles, “She’s the Man.”

On Saturday, April 14 the freshman will have an early start to their day, being welcomed in Turner Chapel with their fellow 2018 classmates. Details can be found on the weekend itinerary below.

At 4 p.m. a program tradition will commence as the current NGU women’s soccer squad will gear up to play against former teammates and sisters in the 2018 Legends alumni game. Kick-off will take place at 5 p.m.

Join us in this weekend of celebration as a fan, friend or family member at Movie on the Lawn and the Legends alumni game.

 

Graphic courtesy of Michaela Gleed.

 

Staff Writer- Michaela Gleed

Crusade Challenge: week 2

Host: Ariana Perry

Challenger: Michaela Gleed, sophmore soccer player.

Opposition: Daniel Kight, junior baseball player.

Breakdown:

Michaela Gleed came just short of a shut out in the first competition, winning 2-1. Daniel Kight sweeps Michaela in the second competition. He is a pitcher for NGU baseball so this was no surprise. Michaela and Kight were a close match up in the third competition but Kight ran with the tie breaker, ending 2-1.

Kight takes home a 2-1 win over Michaela Gleed.

Thanks again to Daniel Kight from baseball for bringing it!

UP NEXT: Women’s soccer v.s. Women’s lacrosse