Savona checks in from Cancun

NSU freshman soccer player Ashlee Savona checks in from the Gold Cup in Cancun, Mexico

Hey Demon fans!

I heard about the loss today (NSU's 3-0 loss to Southeastern Louisiana) and I am really sorry that I wasn't able to help the team get to the tournament this year. I can't imagine how Sara (Sadler) and (Heather) Burt are taking it right now but please give them my regards and congratulations on a great senior season.

The last time I updated you was the day before our first game against Mexico. If you didn't hear already, we lost that game 7-2. Walking out into that full stadium of 9,980 Mexican fans and the 20 Guyanese fans (our families) was an un-real experience. You could tell that they were a very strong team tactically, and they kept possession of the ball extremely well.

We put up a fight against them and did what we could with a week of practice and playing together in this new system of 4-2-3-1 and we managed to score 2 goals out of it. Our coaches were extremely proud on how well we did and considering we were not expected to score a goal, they couldn't be happier.

The next day after the game, we watched the game at the hotel and it showed our constant mistakes that we would need to fix before playing Canada. That day we didn't have a practice, however we were able to go shopping for a couple hours and go into downtown Cancun as well.

Today (Sunday) was the day I have been looking forward to since I joined this program, the day we play Canada. I was extremely nervous to be honest but I was also full of excitement. Walking on to the field with a much smaller crowed, I looked at the Canadian team on the other side of the field and I saw players I used to look up to when I was a kid It was a huge shock to me when I realized I was going to play against them.

Lining up to appreciate the national anthems, it was hard not to sing the Canadian anthem but then again, it was a great honor to hear it in a FIFA Qualifing game.

As the game started, I quickly lost the nerves I had coming into the game and played my heart out. In the end we lost 8-0 but I was extremely happy after the game. Not very many people get to have this chance to play at the highest level possible and I have learned so much from it. We are preparing for our next game on Tuesday against Trinidad. I will update you soon.

Ashlee

Greetings from The Gold Cup in Cancun

This is a day-by-day blog from Ashlee Savona, NSU freshman soccer player, who is currently participating in the Gold Cup as part of the Guyana National Soccer Team

I'm sorry I haven't been able to post as frequently as I've liked to, but the internet here is limited and I need to use that time to do my school work online.

The past few days have been hectic but we have found some time to relax. We lost to a boys U17 team 12-7 in florida the day before we left but it was a much needed game to pick up the intensity and speed of our game.

We arrived in Cancun on the 26th and our coaches gave us the day off to go to the beach right outside of our hotel. We have had a practice everyday in the morning following with an ice bath back at the hotel and a pool recovery session as well. We have also played a game of beach soccer as well.

It is really hot down here but it is expected to start raining throughout the upcoming week. We went to walk around the stadium this morning and it is a really well kept field, almost as good as ours, but the stadium itself isn't that big.

We are going to watch the U.S. play Haiti tonight (Thursday) and we are all really excited to get a feel of the environment. Our first game is tomorrow (Friday) at 7. I want to wish the girls (NSU) good luck and I know they can bring home two wins this weekend and make the tournament.

I will update you soon.

"Paint the Town Purple" and "Wear Purple Days" issued by City of Natchitoches Proclamation

On Monday, October 25th, at the Natchitoches City Council Meeting, Mayor Wayne McCullen and the Natchitoches City Council issued a proclamation declaring Tuesday “Paint the Town Purple Day” and Friday and Saturday “Wear Purple Day” in honor of the Homecoming Festivities at Northwestern State University. Pictured are Natchitoches City Council member Sylvia Morrow and NSU Associate Director of Athletics Dr. William Broussard.

Must be seen to be believed

John Kulakowski was a rough-and-tumble defensive end for the Demon football team from 1984-87, famous for his fiery play and for doing a "Nubian Roll" after making a quarterback sack. He had 22 sacks and led the team in his final three seasons, including a school record 15 as an All-America senior in 1987.

A couple of years later, while standing on the NSU sideline for the 1989 home game vs. SFA, "Kul" drew an unsportsmanlike conduct flag in the final two minutes that was costly, moving NSU backwards on a potential game-winning field goal. Each team missed two FG attempts in the final minutes in a 17-17 tie -- and that SFA team played for the national championship. It is laughing matter now, and Coach Sam Goodwin long since has forgiven one of his favorite Demons for that gaffe.

Now "Kul" is doing something to get attention once again. Checking the website "The Dead Pelican" today to track state political news, we came across the following link.

http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2010/10/bonnabel_principal_is_dressed.html

Friends of "Kul" can't really be surprised - first, that he would do something outrageous, because that's our hero; and second, that he would be leading kids to higher achievement, because that's who he is, too.

Quiet few days for home events

Even though football, volleyball and soccer will be on the road for the next few days, there's still a couple of things going on around campus that the sports enthusiasts can take in.

The Lady Demons softball team will kickoff their fall schedule on Saturday with a noon doubleheader against Bossier Parish Community College. And the Demon baseball team continues their fall practice schedule and will play three intrasquad scrimmages over the next three days.

The Demons will also hold their annual Demon World Series on Oct. 28-30 to close out fall practice and will conduct their Scout Day on Oct. 22 for the draft eligible players.

The next home fall sport in season event will be on Oct. 20 when the Lady Demon volleyball team hosts Centenary.