by Kelly Swanick

October is here and Atlantic 10 season is rapidly approaching full force; where has the time gone?  I am very excited that we are traveling up to Connecticut on Saturday rather than just leaving Sunday; we have not been on a road trip since VCU, so everyone is excited to get away for a little. Saturday night's team dinner is also fun, especially if we go to Olive Garden (our favorite spot).

Sunday's game is a big game for us mentally, as it is also our last non-conference game before we play Temple next Friday. We have had a whole week of practice focusing on possession, defense on the entire field and communicating with each other. We have had some injuries catching up with the team this week, so it was great seeing the players that don't normally get to start really rise to the occasion and fill in the gaps.

I am a little nervous for the game on Sunday. I am excited to play, as we had the whole week off, but I think it is very important for the Hawks to get a win this weekend so we can begin A-10 play with a level of confidence in ourselves and each other.  We need to play strong and smart the entire 70 minutes for us to be successful.

School work is really beginning to pile up as midterms are just around the corner. It was nice this week having a regular practice schedule without midweek games to balance out the work load, but once A-10 games start, the craziness of missing classes and traveling begins. Fridays are going to be the worst; I think I am missing my 1:00 p.m. class every Friday in October.  Yikes!  Most teachers will work with you though if you give them notice in advance, which is extremely helpful.

This weekend Fairfield is hosting "Play 4 the Cure" for Breast Cancer Awareness, so as a team we will be making a donation and wearing pink warm-up shirts before the game.  We have never really done anything like this before, but I think it is a great idea and a nice way to support the cause.

Together We Soar,