VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Virginia Wesleyan Women's Soccer team had the experience of a lifetime as the reigning 2021 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Champions got to travel to Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, and Vienna the capital city of Austria. 

The Marlins spent nine days traveling historic cities exploring the attractions and architecture, while also receiving training sessions from the coaching staff of SK GORDIC Praha Kacerov futbol club. Also while traveling abroad the team played a pair of friendly matches against FK Dukla Prag and FK Austria Wien.

Head Coach Jeff Bowers shared his thoughts on the trip for himself and the team. "I think the girls had a fantastic cultural experience traveling abroad to Europe. They got to learn about the rich history and view the sights and hear the sounds of some of the oldest cities in both the Czech Republic and in Austria. This expereience helped us grow closer together as a team, but also as a family. The Marlins are excited to take what they learned abroad and put it to use out on the pitch this season."
 

Senior keeper Nicole Cousens said the following about her experience, "To be able to travel across the world to participate in international games with not only my teammates but my family, has and will be one of the highlights of my life. The experience and time we had will be something I will remember for the rest of my life!"

The first day of the trip was spent traveling to the Czech Republic via a layover in Frankfurt, Germany. On day two, after arriving to Prague and checking into the hotel, the team had an afternoon training session from the coaching staff of SK GORDIC Praha Kacerov futbol club. Later that evening the Marlins got a chance to attend a professional match between Sparta Prague vs Liberec.

Day three consisted of a Professional Coaching Clinic led by FK Dukla Prag staff. The afternoon and evening the team took a walking tour of Prague and experienced some of the cuisine at a local restaurant. VWU toured the Prague Castle and took a river cruise on the Vltava River in the morning and early afternoon of day four. In the evening of day four, VWU competed in a friendly match against FK Dukla Prag and followed with a group team dinner.
 

Junior defender Rachel Wilson shared the following comment about her experience. "Playing against a team from a different country and getting to learn their culture and creating relationships around the world has been the experience of a lifetime."

The fifth day consisted of the team traveling to Salzburg, Austria where they took an afternoon/evening tour of the city followed by dinner at a local restaurant. The Marlins got to tour the Werfen Ice Caves to kick off their sixth day in Europe before heading to Vienna in the evening for the remainder of their trip. 

On their first full day in Vienna the team got to take a morning foot/bus tour of the "City of Music" as Vienna has a rich history in music. The afternoon was spent exploring the rest of the city by bicycle and getting a chance to view the world-famous Vienna Opera House.
 

"It has been a blessing to be able to travel to see such beautiful sights and important parts of history with some of your closest friends" said rising sophomore Kalyn Byrd, forward for the Marlins.

The last full day in Europe began with a tour of the Schönbrunn Palace, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rules and its gardens. In the early afternoon the Marlins competed in their second friendly match against FK Austria Wien and followed with a post game dinner with the team. To end the eighth day the team paddle boarded down the Danube River to further explore Vienna. 
 

"Making these memories with our teammates has made our relationships grow stronger. It will benefit us when we play together," said rising junior Julia Marrone, forward for the Marlins.