Aug. 24, 2001

Worms, Germany - Niederkirchen took advantage of two Stony Brook miscues to post a 2-0 victory Friday night in Niederkirchen, Germany. The home team scored in the first five minutes of each half while holding off numerous scoring chances by the visiting Seawolves.

Stony Brook controlled the pace of play but was unable to finish their chances. "I am happy with the way we played tonight," said head coach Sue Ryan. "We did so many good things tonight except finish and that is something we will have to work on before the start of the season. Despite the loss, it has been a wonderful trip and one that has made us a better team."

It was a full final day for the Seawolves here in Germany. Following a morning training session, the team headed to historic Heidelberg to visit the village located along the Neckar River. High above the town are the ruins of the famous Heidelberg castle, truly a spectacular sight. The team made the trek up 315 steps to the top of the castle and looked down upon the breathtaking view of the valley below. After a brief tour of the castle, most of the team toured the rest of the town while putting the finishing touches on some shopping before heading out to the game.

As the hours dwindle away, I can look back and truly say that this trip could not have gone any better. We have been blessed with beautiful weather - it did not rain for one single day save for a brief drizzle for one hour on the first day in Holland. We toured, practiced and played hard. Everyone came through the first 10 days of the season healthy and raring to go.

A note about the players. What a terrific group they are. For those parents who are out there, you should be proud of your daughters. They conducted themselves with the utmost class and represented the university in fine fashion. I look forward to working with them this fall.

Throughout the 10-day trip, I have written down so many thoughts and emotions, some that seem so hard to articulate. I promise that I will write a short story about our tour when I return to the States, but I will leave you with just a few thoughts for now.

Tonight, we are packing our bags for the early departure tomorrow (we leave at 6:45 for a 10:20 flight that takes to Detroit and finally to JFK --we should be back on campus Saturday night around 10 p.m.). As we pack our bags with all of our things to bring back home, I realize that is not all that we are bringing home. Tucked away in our hearts are the memories and experiences that will echo in our minds for the rest of our lives.

I don't know if I will ever be back here, but I know there will be other adventures. This trip made that a certainty. The world is filled with so much wonder and beauty that it makes the eyes water to think about it. This European tour has whet the appetite for future travel, to seek what it out there and take part of the world around us. For those who have contemplated taking a trip, I urge you to buy your ticket tomorrow, make a plan and go do it.

For all of you who have logged on to the web site and followed along, I hope you have enjoyed it. From the computer at the hostel in Valkenswaard to the cute little internet cafe here in Worms, it has been a delight to bring you a little of what we have gone through over here. But all good things must come to an end and this trip is no different. It is time, 10 days is just the right amount of time for a trip such as this.

Time grows short, it is getting late. Shortly, I will head back to the hostel and turn in for the night. I will close my eyes with a smile, knowing that the last 10 days have filled my soul and recharged my batteries. I hope that you go to bed with a smile too. Be happy for your daughters, sons, brothers or sisters for the tremendous moments that for will forever be part of them. For the time that we have been away, each of us has thought of our loved ones every day wishing that we could share this with you. But in many ways we will, if only in the way we have changed, how we talk about it or what we take from it personally.

It is time to go. Thanks for being a part of it. I will write again soon, but for now I can only think one one special thought -- we have missed and love all of you. I can't wait to see my family on Sunday. Our adventure has come to an end....we are heading home. For all of the world's beauty I think I have learned that home might be the most wonderful place of all....we will see you soon.

rob emmerich, jr.