DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's soccer team traveled on Tuesday, August 2 to Costa Rica before returning back to Dubuque, Iowa on early morning of August 11. The international trip of goodwill will incorporate a mini soccer clinic on their first day with the Spartans giving away nearly 40 pairs of soccer cleats, and misc. other soccer equipment to those in need. UD will play three friendly games vs. members of Saprissa FF, Heredia FF, and Dimas FF during their stay.
This is the sixth time in program history the University of Dubuque Women's Soccer program has traveled abroad to the country of to Costa Rica for a preseason international event. This trip includes three international matches against first division Costa Rican women's teams, a community service soccer clinic to underprivileged kids, Whitewater rafting (a team favorite), zip lining, a visit to an animal sanctuary/rainforest water, and last but not least surfing in the ocean. The Spartans will be in Costa Rica for a total of nine days. The team will spend half of their time in San Jose the capital and the other half in Playa Flamingo on the coast of Pacific Ocean. This is Coach Jason Berna's eighth time leading a University of Dubuque international trip. He toured Ireland in 2004 and Costa Rica in 2008 with the men's program.
'This is a once and a lifetime experience for our women's soccer players here at UD and a highlight of their four years with the program," stated head coach Jason Berna. "This international trip is a real eye-opening experience in one of the world's most bio-diverse places in the world, it is hard to describe how beautiful the landscape of Costa Rica actually is. I know each player will be able to enjoy the travel/sightseeing, compete against great competition , and immerse themselves in a different culture so that each player will know the meaning of Pura Vida."
2022 UD Women's Soccer Costa Rica schedule
August 2
Depart Midway for San Jose, Costa Rica 12:35 p.m.
6:00 am Meeting at CRWC parking lot to depart for Chicago Midway for Costa Rica
August 3
Soccer Clinic
Tour of San Jose Historic District
Friendly game vs. Saprissa FF at 8 p.m.
August 4
zipline canopy tour
Friendly game vs. Heredia FF at 8 p.m.
August 5
whitewater rafting
August 6
Friendly game vs. Dimas FF at 9 a.m.
August 7
beach time on Pacific Ocean
August 8
beach time on Pacific Ocean
tour of beach town of Tamarindo
August 9
free time to enjoy beach and shopping for souvenirs
August 10
Return from Liberia, Costa Rica 2:05 p.m., arrive at Midway Airport in Chicago, Ill. at 11:05 p.m., and return to UD campus 3 a.m.
