Nicholls defender tours Europe as part of prestigious program

Ellender looking to make magic happen again in 2017

July 3, 2017

Cavan Lewis

July 3, 2017

A Nicholls soccer player got to travel the world this summer – preparing for the upcoming season through a program designed to unite people by combining soccer and religious faith.

Defender Elizabeth Newell recently spent 18 days in Europe as part of Athletes in Action – a faith-based program which uses soccer to promote peace and unity in people.

On the trip Newell spent 18 days abroad, including stops in Barcelona, Toulouse and Paris.

Along the way, the traveling group played field soccer and a game called ‘futsal’, which is hard-court indoor soccer.

The group was challenged, competing against very talented players, including a match against a men’s team. They also played 7-on-7 matches while also helping the youth players in each community.

Newell said the experience is one she will not soon forget – calling it one of the best trips of her life.

“(This trip) did teach me how to trust my teammates,” Newel said. “In college soccer, you compete for playing time, but once you step on the field, all of that is gone away and there is a greater purpose.”

Newell said the trip pushed her on the field – teaching her valuable tools she will take with her to the 2017 season with the Colonels.

Founded in 1966, Athletes in Action is the sports ministry of Cru Ministries, formerly known as Campus Crusader for Christ. The program hosted players from 13 universities from around the United States. Newell joined the program, thanks for former Nicholls assistant coach Brianna Young Pickenpaugh.

On the field, the program seasons players for their collegiate seasons. Newell said the high level of opposition and the talent level of her teammates taught her lessons which will be valuable tools she can take pack to the pitch in Thibodaux.

“No one knew each other, so we had to learn the different playing styles,” Newell said. “They evaluated us on technical ability and how we adjust with everyone. We also had spiritual and cultural training. The spiritual training was how soccer and our faith fit together.”

With that spiritual training, Newell said she learned a lot about being a better-rounded person – tools which she can use in all realms of life.

Newell said she learned how to better handle stress while also learning to be a better influence to teammates.

She said interacting with people from different ways of life and cultures afforded her perspective that she thinks she can take back to her teammates, which will help make the Colonels a better team.

Newell has played in nine matches in two seasons with the Colonels – all as a reserve.

She said the trip taught her a lot about perspective and self-evaluation, which she believes will allow her to better understand her role in the future – no matter what it is.

“It really is all about a process,” Newell said. “Really self-evaluating yourself, seeing where you need growth first and then humbling yourself enough to talk to your coaches and teammates to see what they need from you before you go ahead and try to fix everything yourself. You have a specific role; you were put on the team for a reason.”

COLONELS UNVEIL CHALLENGING SLATE

The schedule Newell and her teammates will play in 2017 will be tough.

Nicholls soccer coach Mac McBride announced the team’s upcoming slate this week – a road-heavy trek which will take the Colonels around the Southeast before Southland play.

Nicholls will start its season at home on Aug. 12 against Texas Southern. Eight days later, they’ll host Mississippi Valley State on Aug. 20.

But after that stretch, Nicholls will go more than a month without a home match – a seven-match road trip which will feature matches against Prairie View, Grambling, Jackson State, Alcorn State and UL-Lafayette.

The trip also carries into conference play with a Sept. 15 road date at Lamar.

McBride said after losing six starters to graduation he’s anxious to see how the team’s younger players respond to adversity – especially early in the season as they adjust to their new roles.

“We have a very challenging season ahead of us,” McBride said. “But we also have the potential to really grow from it. Losing six starters to graduation is a tough prospect, but it will open the door to our returning players who have been working hard for their opportunity.”

Assistant coach Danny Free agreed, adding that all the time the team will spend on the road early in the season will be invaluable.

“The upcoming season will be a real test of character for our team spending a lot of time on the road,” assistant coach Danny Free said. “But knowing how hard our girls have worked during the spring with us and throughout the summer individually, I know they will relish the challenges ahead.”