Marquette University Athletics
Boyer and Zwolski Take Their Games Internationally
3/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
March 6, 2008
MILWAUKEE - Two members of the Marquette women's soccer team who have exhausted their eligibility were able to take their games to the international level. Forward Christy Zwolski joined the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA) National Team for a six-day excursion to Mexico to play two matches against the Mexican Olympic Team, and goalkeeper Laura Boyer had a try-out with a top Swedish Professional Club in Sweden, FC Kopparbergs, a team that U.S. National Team keeper Hope Solo had previously played for.
"It was probably one of my favorite soccer experiences ever," said Zwolski about playing with the USASA national team. "Just being able to play with that caliber of players and representing your nation was something I will never forget. Putting on the USA jersey and getting introduced as not just representing your school, state or club, but representing the United States. "
Zwolski started her trek in Mexico City for two days of training sessions before playing the first match against the Olympic Team in Xalapa. The whole city of Xalapa came out to watch the match, something Zwolski said she had never experienced.
"It was really an amazing atmosphere. Not a moment went by where the fans weren't cheering. They were cheering for Mexico, they were cheering for us. If you pulled a move, the crowd would go crazy. It was the coolest atmosphere. We were like superstars. Everyone was so thankful that we were there."
The second game was played at the Mexican National Team's training facility in Mexico City. During that game, which was played to a 2-2 draw, Zwolski scored both goals.
Zwolski was left unmarked on the far side as her teammate crossed the ball across the box. All she had to do was volley it in. Her second goal, the game-tying goal, came in the final 10 seconds in the game. There was a scramble in the box and Zwolski was able to collect the ball and one-time it in.
Zwolski was humble about her scores saying, "I was in the right place at the right time."
  | |
Zwolski will get another opportunity in the near future for more international play with the USASA squad as the team travels to England to play Arsenal's women's side. She will first have to return to training camp to participate in another USASA training camp with her teammates.
Boyer's international experience was a little different than Zwolski's as she traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to Gotebeorg, Sweden for an opportunity to tryout for a spot on a Swedish professional team, FC Kopparbergs.
Her opportunity came from contacting her uncle who had a contact with the Swedish Football (Soccer) Association. He was told that FC Kopparbergs was looking for a goalkeeper. The manager agreed to fly Boyer out for a tryout after seeing video footage of her play. If not for her uncle and aunt living an hour from where the club trains, Boyer may have never had the opportunity for the try out.
"I didn't know where I was going, who I was playing with, I didn't understand the soccer in Sweden or the caliber of team I would be playing for, but once I got there, I understood it."
Boyer spent over two weeks training with the team, but she was not there alone. She had the luxury of having assistant coach Dano Holcomb travel to support her. Boyer would participate in two training sessions twice a week and one training session the other three days. Other players on the team included women who played on the Swedish and Norwegian national teams.
Boyer said that even though the language barrier was a problem at times, soccer is such a universal game that once she got there and was somewhat acclimated to her surroundings, the biggest obstacle wasn't trying to communicate with the other players or adjusting to the style of play, it was just trying to be herself.
"The first week I was really homesick, but once I started finally learning everyone's names it was very welcoming. It was like Marquette but in Swedish form. This team was like a family. They were all very helpful and interested in getting to know me. Regardless of the language I spoke, the team respected me because of my ability."
Although her tryout didn't end with a contract to be on the team, Boyer took a lot from her experience and will continue her pursuit of playing professional soccer overseas. In fact, word traveled so fast of her tryout with FC Kopparbergs that she was offered another tryout in Karlstad, Sweden with Qbik. This time Zwolski is traveling with her to take advantage of the same opportunity.
