by Elisabeth Zarnoti '17

Members of the Prairie Fire men’s soccer team traveled to Costa Rica for eight days to improve their playing skills and experience soccer in Costa Rican culture. They also spent time during the pre-season tour building friendships and interacting with the community.

In Costa Rica, the team participated in a match against a local team, FC Puntarenas, and traveled to face TEC University and Cartago SC Primera Division. The quickness and skill of the Costa Rican players was a surprise to the Prairie Fire, but they made their time playing a learning experience.

"We came to Costa Rica to grow, and from one game to these last two contests, we can see the team's adaptation to the Costa Rican style of play and also a maturation of our own abilities in a short eight days," said Coach Tyler Sheikh.

In between matches and training sessions, members of the team were able to relax and integrate themselves in the local culture. They spent time teaching neighborhood children soccer during a free clinic, which culminated in a friendly soccer match between the children and the Prairie Fire team, followed by a hot dog cookout.

"We were all looking forward to this part of the trip, and it was more eye-opening and more fun than any of us expected," said goalkeeper Justin Dunn '19.

The team also took part in team-building activities outside of soccer, such as whitewater rafting along the Pacuare River at Braulio Carrillo National Park. While enjoying gorgeous views of the terrain and waterfall, they faced exceptionally strong currents and had to lend a few of their teammates a hand when they toppled overboard.

Both Coach Sheikh and Assistant Coach Brian O'Connor were happy with the outcome of the activity. "I know team-building exercises from my time in the Army, but that was as good a team experience as we could've hoped for,” said O’Connor.