Women’s soccer enjoys spring break trip to Costa Rica
The Simpson women's soccer team traveled to Costa Rica over spring break to compete in two international exhibition matches and take in the sights and sounds of the country.
Here's a breakdown of the trip highlights:
Days 1-2
From the city to the mountains, and onward to the Pacific coast and the rainforest, the team was able to get a full taste of the country's culture. The experience began in San Jose with a trip to a men's First Division professional match in between Alajuelense and Liberia before taking the pitch following the day in a match against the women's First Division team, Pococi. Although Simpson came up short with the result, it was an amazing experience and the opponent was gracious to have had their first international match experience as well.
Day 3
The third day in Costa Rica included a service project in the city at a school called IEGB Republica De Panama. The Storm teamed up with 180 Degrees, a non-profit organization that encourages young people to follow positive, healthy, life paths, to run interactive games for school children. Then the team toured the downtown area of San Jose.
Days 4-5
Simpson spent days four and five in La Fortuna zip-lining over trees and waterfalls, visiting the Baldi Hot Springs, and taking a boat ride on Lake Arenal — a reservoir created decades ago after a town was destroyed by the eruption of the Arenal Volcano.
Days 6-7
The team was able to enjoy some time on the Pacific coast at Punta Leona outside of Jaco, while day seven was spent exploring Manuel Antonio Beach & National Park where wildlife is abundant — monkeys, sloths, and toucans.
On the last full day, the team made its way back to San Jose, stopping in El Roble at the youth soccer academy for a service-learning clinic coaching local youth. The second match took place that evening at Estadio Colleya Fonseca against a Second Division team, Garabito. Simpson notched its first international exhibition match win 3-0. Immediately following was the women's Costa Rica First Division professional national final match Saprissa vs Moravia.
