Southern Connecticut State University women’s soccer will set out on an international tour of Costa Rica Aug. 1-9. The Owls land in San Jose, Costa Rica on Tuesday, Aug. 1 and will play three games, while also taking in the sights.
“We want to maximize the overall experience for our student-athletes at Southern Connecticut,” Head Coach Adam Cohen said. “The trip to Costa Rica gives us the perfect opportunity to prepare for our 2023 season while building team cohesion, playing competitive matches and participating in cultural events.”
For Senior Captain Kat Mancinone who grew up in San Jose, the trip will be a sort of role reversal as she welcomes her home team to her home country. Mancinone is currently spending summer break in Costa Rica with her family and will meet the team at the start of the trip.
“Most of my family is there,” Mancinone said. “I went to school there and I have so many memories growing up in Costa Rica. Now I get to play for Southern against some Costa Rica teams, which is crazy.”
For the Owls, Wednesday and Thursday will see them facing Saprissa FC and Dimas Escazu. On Friday, Southern will organize a mini soccer clinic for children and later in the day, travel to the San Carlos rain forest and the volcanic hot springs. On the weekend, the team will head to La Fortuna Waterfall and matchup against San Carlos B. The Owls trip wraps up on the following weekend in Playa Flamingo.
“It is going to be a great experience for everyone because not only will we be playing soccer, but we will be traveling to different parts of the country visiting rainforests, volcanic hot springs, and even providing a clinic for children in an underprivileged community,” said Cohen.
The Owls preseason is set to open on Aug. 13 with its first competition beginning with a season-opening tournament at Franklin Pierce against Queens and Bridgeport. Southern will also play a road contest at Post on Sept. 8 before opening its home schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 12 against Holy Family.
“This is such an amazing opportunity for the team to travel to Costa Rica together and play against other teams here,” Mancinone said. “It is going to be the trip of a lifetime.”
SCSU Women’s Soccer fans can follow the Owls on their tour of Costa Rica on their Official Instagram page @SCSU_WSOC with daily updates from junior captains Victoria Vera and Riley Ayer.
