Jenna Stiegler shares some final thoughts following the Wheaton (Massachusetts) women's soccer team's spring trip to Portugal.

An incredible and amazing trip to Portugal....and we won all 3 games!

While in the Algarve region (the southern part of the country on the Atlantic Ocean), we stayed at the Hotel Tivoli Arade in the Portimao Marina; a beautiful hotel that is only four years old. We visited the towns of Albufeira, Alvor, Sagres (Cape St. Vincent), Lagos and of course, Portimao. The beach, Praia da Rocha, was walking distance from our hotel. On the main avenue across the beach, there were plenty of shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, casino, etc...On returning to Lisbon towards the end of our trip, we stopped in Evora.

Throughout the trip we came across castles, palaces, churches, ancient ruins, small, narrow streets and were really able to capture and take in the beauty of the country. The blend and combination of the culture, the soccer (futbol), the friendship, the beach, etc... made for a great trip.

We played in three games in towns located just outside of Lisbon: Odivelas, Almada and Loures. We were very welcomed by all three of our opponents. They were all excited to play against our team. We had custom pennants made before the trip and each one of our players exchanged our team's banners with opposing players before each game. Our players got to experience firsthand soccer as a way of life and not just a hobby or an inferior sport. All three clubs that we played against have FieldTurf fields. Previously, they were dirt fields.

Overall, the trip was a trip of a lifetime, and meant a lot to all the players especially for myself and the other seniors. We were able to play once more for our college as well as wear the Wheaton College jersey one last time.