Aug. 18, 2001

Valkenswaard, Holland - The Stony Brook women's soccer team fell to SV Braakhuizen this afternoon by the score of 4-1. Braakhuizen, who finished last year ranked as the third-best club team in Holland, rallied from a 1-0 deficit to post four unanswered goals to capture the win.

Beth Arikian got the Seawolves on the board only five minutes into the game, knocking home the rebound of her own shot that had hit the post. Stony Brook was victimized in the 23rd minute when it thought that Braakhuizen was whistled for a foul. The Seawolves were then caught napping as the foul was actually on them and the veteran Braakhuizen team played the ball immediately, setting up a breakaway that knotted the game at one. The home team then took control scoring twice more before the half was over to take a 3-1 lead. Braakhuizen added its fourth goal in the 83rd minute.

"I was very pleased with our mentality in the second half after being scored upon three times in the first half," said coach Ryan. "This game will benefit us in the future as Braakhuizen's sophistication outdid us today. But we will move one and look forward to seeing Ajax play tomorrow in Amsterdam." The Braakhuizen team was made up of players that ranged in ages from 23-30 and included two players that starred for Hartford when they won the America East championship two years ago.

It is now almost 6:30 p.m. in Holland and we are preparing for dinner --- pizza --- to the delight of the team. We will be heading out to the festival here in Valkenswaard, it is supposed to be quite an event.

Another full day tomrrow. Training in the morning before taking the 90-minute ride to Amsterdam. After watching Ajax, we will spend the rest of the day touring Amsterdam before heading home. It will be our last full day in Holland as we head to Speyer, Germany Monday morning.

All is well here in Holland -- everyone is is good spirits.

Rob Emmerich, Jr.

A note from Leanna Yust I am excited about how well the team is doing for our first couple of days. All of my teammates are very funny and great to be around. I like Holland, the shopping and sightseeing has been great. A big hello to mom and dad and Ricky and Tricia.

A note from Kristin Baker Hi mom and dad. The team we played today was good but it was a positive learning experience for us. I don't like the food, but I am trying new things. We ate at a Dutch restaurant yesterday and had a little trouble ordering a food since the menus were in a different language. Our neighbors seated around us laughed a lot when we tried to order. We are enjoying the trip, but look forward to returning home too.