Day 6 - Match 1 in Italy - A Success!

Today started at a leisurely pace. We had free time until 11:30 am when we met to catch our boat.  The weather was beautiful – 80 and sunny – and the team took advantage of the free time this morning by exploring the town of Portovenere, and swimming and diving at the hotel pool.

We left the hotel on time and walked 5 minutes to the boat dock where we boarded our cruise ship. The boat was a standard passenger ferry with tourists from all over the world.  The first part of the boat ride was 30 minutes along the Gulf of La Spezia.   From the boat we hugged the coastline and were able to view this historic area of Cinque Terra.  Everyone was in awe of the steep cliffs with their terraced landscapes of vineyards and olive trees.  How do they pick the grapes and olives and get them either up or down the steep cliffs?

Our first stop was the medieval town of Riomaggiore. It is know for its Mediterranean vegetation and distinct wines and olive oil.  After docking right at the base of the cliffs, we had two hours to explore this quaint town and taste the local fair.  Some indulged in the famous foccocia made in the area. There was also an abundance of pizza and gelato.  Others spent time in the little shops or hiking the narrow stairways that provide access to the homes on the hills.

 

   Tasting the local fare.

It was a beautiful day in Riomaggiore and by 2 pm rather warm.  Many of the players decided to take a dip in the sea.  Once in the water they spied a deep pool of water below a steep cliff with a few great spots for jumping into the clear teal water below.  Some of the spectators were nervous but the jumpers seemed to have done this before and it was no big deal.  See if you can recognize someone you know in this photo!

Can you find the two jumpers?

We then boarded another ferry and were off to Monterosso, another town of the Cinque Terre.  On the way we passed by Manarola, Corniglia, and Verrazza the other three towns that make up the Cinque Terra.  This boat ride was about 45-minutes and the breeze from being on the water was a welcome relief. 

We had just over an hour in Monterosso, time enough to walk through the promenade with its small shops and numerous beach front cafes and taste the local flavors of this small town.  Then it was to the train station to catch the 5:25 pm train to Levanto, our final destination and match #1 for the Brown Bears.  After an 8 minute train ride we disembarked and were met by our bus driver. 

Much to our surprise we had a police escort for the 0.75 km ride to our pregame meal.  The costal city of Levanto streets are so narrow they don’t let tour buses access them.  But we were given special permission, allowing our bus to drive through the town to the local restaurant.  Thus, the police escort.

We enjoyed our light pre-game meal of prosciutto and cheese and insalada (salad in Italian) as our first course, penne pasta with tomato sauce as our second course, and tart for dessert.

Pre-game meal

Then it was off to the stadium to prepare and play our first match.  They welcomed the crowd with pre-match entertainment from the local color guard consisting of a drum and bugles corps with skilled color guards. 

Now we were ready for the main event, Brown University vs. Ligura Regional Allstar team at the Levanto Stadium.  It was a beautiful night for soccer.  About 75 degrees with a slight breeze.  The whistle for kickoff was blown at 8:40 pm. 

It took a while for Brown to find their legs after many busy days of travel and sightseeing.   But it was worth the wait.  At the 40 minute mark, the Allstars earned a corner kick.  Brown’s defense was able to clear the ball.  Eliza Marshall picked up the ball on the left wing just before midfield.  After beating one defender she spotted Emily Wingrove streaking down the right side.  Emily received the pass about 40 yards from goal.  With an excellent first touch she beat the last defender and was one-on-one with the keeper.  Just inside the 18 yard box she tucked a shot pass the keeper for the first goal of the night.  What a great way to end the first half.

Seventeen minutes into the second half, Eliza took a pass down the left wing beating two defenders.  With the keeper out of her box, she slotted a cross landing just in front of the goal.  The defender knocked it off the line but Alexa Ellis was there to bang home goal number two.  Go Bruno!!!

The crowd was thrilled with a final goal at the 43 minute mark from Kiersten Berg who blew past her defender and slotted the ball into the back of the net. 

Amber Bledsoe and MC Barrett split time, each coming away with no goals allowed! The defense and midfield found their rhythm and denied the Allstars any serious opportunities.

Not a bad way to end a busy day!  Brown  3 – Ligura Regional Allstars 0.