^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Tonight we face the Wisconsin Badgers in an exciting in-state match up. This fall’s fixtures between Wisconsin’s four big soccer playing universities – Milwaukee, Marquette, Green Bay and Madison – have seen action-packed games and mixed results. Anybody can beat anybody in rivalry games and this season has proved it. This evening’s Engelmann showdown features two teams having good seasons. The Badgers are 9-3-1. We are an impressive 10-2-1 and looking to add to our wins.
Those in attendance tonight might want to dress warm because, as my Wisconsinite readers will be aware, it has gotten cold here. Very cold. It felt like summer a fortnight ago, but yesterday was forecasted to see snow. Snow in October. Kiwi Liam Anderson says he has never seen snow before. Hopefully, that remains true for a little longer. I've heard people from this state repeatedly say how they love the Wisconsin fall. "Light jacket weather," coach Kelderman called it, with a smile. But that kind autumnal attire was good for about one beautiful week when golden leaves danced in the blustery wind and the air was cool and crisp.
Not anymore. In the last few days, I've been bundled up in long-johns, wooly hats and the warmest of several coats that I've acquired over my two years of Milwaukee thrift store shopping. Now, the trees are basically nude, and Zach and I are heading to Goodwill for more pre-owned layers.
If you can’t make the game, you can tune in at home to the Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. From your own home you’ll be able to see competitive soccer and close ups of our team’s edgy hairstyles, specially manicured for the TV cameras. Pay attention to Patrick Ruhland’s – I’m giving him a pre-game trim once I’m done writing.
We had no game this weekend so were given some time away from soccer to relax. During this time, Aaron Cranfill decided to brawl with a dog and ended up coming off worse. I’m no expert on dogs, so I couldn’t tell you what breed Luke Goodnetter’s pet is. All I know is it was tough enough to leave Cranfill with a gash on his nose and running to the hospital for a tetanus shot. Some good came of it, though. It has made Aaron’s babyface more menacing, giving it a don’t-mess-with-me look that all good centre backs should have. Stone mastered this a long time ago.
The free time was spent by Ruhland enjoying his 20th birthday. For some reason, he took this opportunity to record a video thanking his adoring fans for all their kind messages on his special day. It was a nice idea, but those who watched it were left more confused than touched afterwards. Why would a kid from rural Wisconsin talk like he was brought up in the ghetto, they ask? Couldn’t tell you.
But I will sign off the way he does in his video:
“Peace out. Live life to the fullest. Do big things. Peace."
