Incredible night for Stjarnan. #1 team in Iceland...made history!!!

Tonight we played against Afturelding, with being ahead in points in the standings we had the chance to clinch the league cup and we did just that. We won 3-0 at halftime it was 0-0, but second half we came out knowing we wanted to win this game and get some goals. Adda took a pk and got us on the board to make it 1-0. Then i dribbled through two defenders and shot and scored to make it 2-0. Inga ended our scoring with minutes left in the game to make it 3-0. It was an incredible night and the atmosphere was amazing. Stadium was packed and people were standing all around because it was so full, to come to iceland and make history for the club, team and city is unbelievable. Dancing on the field and celebrating with my icelandic team and coaches, and singing along to "we are the champions" when it was played over the sound system was a moment i will never forget. This experience playing overseas and following my dream of playing professionally makes me so happy. Having the support from everyone back home makes it easier being here and drives me to work even harder to show everyone that i deserve this chance and opportunity to be here. also, markus (mu coach) told me that i am the first MU player to ever win a pro title, so that is icing on the cake :) that means a lot to me!! like we said my senior year there, "doin big things" i'm trying to do that here to represent for my MU fam back home!
here are some links. first is an interview of my coach, then of me. other is an article...... Now time to get back to work on the field, can't be satisfied, always something else to go after and reach for.

celebrating after the game

http://www.sport.is/sportvarp/2011/08/30/sportvarp-thorlakur-arnason-stjarnan-9/

http://www.sport.is/sportvarp/2011/08/30/sportvarp-ashley-bares-stjarnan-2/

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=is&u=http://www.fotbolti.net/&ei=2gdeToznMtK0hAe8nLSYBA&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfotbolti.net%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26prmd%3Divns

love from iceland.
xo ash.

BEAST OF THE EAST.... white water rafting

So over the past weekend, we had our first two days off in a row since i've been here. some of my teammates thought it would be fun to go water rafting. there was about 7 of us that decided to head to north iceland, about a 3.5 hour drive to where this rafting took place, in the country side also this is where Inga is from, so we got to spend the night at her parents place after our day of rafting adventures!!
we left our apartments around 11am on saturday morning and drove straight to the rafting place. there is where we met our guide for the day and went over the safety rules, helmets, dry suits, gloves, shoes, lifevest, and what to do if we would get flipped over...... in the freezing water, with crazy current and rapids. there were two rivers you could pick which one you wanted to do. rafting is on a scale of 1-6 for the level of rapids and how dangerous etc. we naturally pick the harder one called, BEAST OF THE EAST level 4 river. did i mention only like two people had rafted before?! ha ha... boy was it going to be a exciting day. once we got to the river where entered and put the rafts in, we went over the basic rowing commands that our guide would yell to us, forward, right back, back, down, hold.... our instructor guide was from germany and in iceland for the summer working. he spoke in english, i think at first he was pretty worried about us going down this river, with all the laughter and a raft full of 7 girls that havent really experienced rafting before and decided to go straight for level 4 toughness. BUT we started down the river and it was crazyyy fun. we hit the rapids and were drenched within 5 minutes... with the dry suits they gave us and the gear it did a great job keeping your inside warm and dry so it was pretty sweet.  so as we continued down the river, we paddled off to the side and the guide jumped out and they had a snack for us, warm hot chocolate and icelandic waffles with cream and jam. took only like 10min and we were back on the water. after the break we were about to come up to the biggest rapid of the river, they called it the green room i think.... you could tell we were coming because the whole time the river is in the canyon so just big rocks and mountains around us, but when we saw more green grass on the sides of the river thats where the rapid was. our guide told us this is where we would flip most likely, he flipped over a raft this summer trying to go through this rapid and got sucked under the water by the current and rapid for over 30 seconds!!! he said it was the longest he'd been pulled under, ahhh crazyy?! so we are coming up to it, listening to his commands forward row, and when he said down we all quick moved and squatted to the inside of the raft, otherwise the whole time you are literally on the sides of the raft rowing. WE MADE IT through. didn't flip, man it was crazy. as we continued down the river we had more rapids to get through. when we made it through one, we pulled to the side and he said who wants to try surfing? surfing he explained was when we would take our raft and paddle full speed into the rapid we just got thru in opposite direction, what usually happens is when we hit the rapid it takes our raft and whirls us around and sucks it under or flips it over!!!!! so time to go surfing!!!! he's yelling paddle forward as fast as you can go go go go. and we were literally going straight into this huge rapid. as soon as we hit you had to hold on for dear life.... BUT that didnt work either, all of a sudden my side of the raft was getting sucked into the current and the other side was up in the air, i looked up for a second and seeing the guide and the girls on that side flying down towards me plunging me into the water and our raft completely flipped and taken over by the rapid. as soon as i hit the water i got a paddle or something to my front two teeth i thought it knocked them out..... they said like 5x whatever you do dont try to fight the water it will make it worse. i remember just feeling my body being whipped around and tossed as i just let it took me. it was absolutely nuts. once i surfaced i gasped for air but then got taken back under.... as soon as i came back up you were told to swim like hell to the sides where there were 3 little guys on kayaks there to throw you a rope or try to rescue you. i made it to the side and got to some rocks where the guide was already somehow back to our raft trying to get everyone back together. one of my teammates got take by the current like 20 feet further down and a kayaker had to go try to catch her before the river took her further. such a rush.

CLIFF JUMPING....
so we made it through most of the big rapids now, and this is when they said we are going to get to the side and tie up and whoever wants to climp up this mountain peak and jump off the cliff/peak into the water could...... ahhh cliff jumping, and plunging into the artic icelandic river. once in a lifetime experience, i think so???!!! scary as hell, i think so???!!! had to try it, yep i think so.
two of my teammates didn't jump, one was my roommate shes scared of heights, let alone jumping off from the peak into the water where the current and rapids of the river could take you. as we climped/scaled up the side of this peak you had to literally balance on the top, one person at a time. yea kid you not. we werent only jumping off like a high cliff, it was a high peak that you had to balance on one slip and you would tumble down the side into the water. YIKES. so as you try to stand up on this tiny peak, the one kayaker was balanced on the side and you had to use his head and but your hand on his helmet to balance yourself to stand up. i got to that point, and once i was standing and looked down, freakeddd out. it was so high, and you just see down at the white moving cold water, and suppose to plunge into it. my biggest fear was the depth of the water, the guide said make sure you jump to the left, more to the right it will start getting to shallow. i was thinking in my head well shit, if i jump off this tiny peak and go to far to the right i'm going to plunge down and it be to shallow?!?! later legs.... so i looked at him and was like ahh dont think i can do this. he said you can, looks worse then it is & scaling down the side of this peak to get down will be a lot harder. SO on the count of three. 1..... 2...... i'm thinking in my head he says 3 i still not readyyy to go, but seriously i heard him say 3 and remember just taking that leap off and watching myself drop thru the air and then felt my legs and the cold hitting the outside of my suit.... WOW. it was crazy, definitely one of the best adrenaline rushes and feeling ever. i was so proud i actually did it, i knew that if i chickened out i would regret it, but man what a rush.

here is the link below, check out some of the pics they have and it will help show you what i'm trying to tell you about. it was awesome.


http://www.raftinginiceland.com/WhiteWaterRaftinginNorthIceland/BeastoftheEastRaftingDayTour/#.Tk9_dgKMn2s.facebook

love from iceland.
xo ash.

my fellow americans stjarnan vs KR & THOR

We played this week on Tuesday against KR. they are a good team, and coming off a hard battle against valur we really needed to play well and get a win. it was away at KR. we came out ready to play and we were up 2-0 at halftime..... second half we came out and looked slow and tired. ROSIE a former teammate of mine who just came to iceland couple weeks ago was battling to get one in for KR along with a girl named KELLI also a former teammate i played with last summer down in chicago. she also just joined KR team. KR got one in to make it 2-1. but then the score was 3-1 not long after. KR didnt stop and got a second one in to make it 3-2. game definitely was to close for comfort and KR and my former american teammates on KR did a great job adding to there team making them tough to play. we won 3-2 which was great to take the 3 points and when on the road. It was so so great seeing familiar faces for a change, after the game us Americans all grabbed some frozen yogurt together and enjoyed each others company and our stories of Iceland so far. :)

Today we played at home against THOR. they are a very good team with a lot of talented players on it. I love love good tough games and great players who battle it out on the field but when the games over still have respect for each other. it was such a fun game to play. at half it was 0-0. we were playing okay, the wind was crazy. both teams had created chances in first half but couldnt put the ball in the net. Second half we played well and kept the ball more. In the box the ball was sent across and i kind of posted up "shaq style" and turned on this defender and shot lefty and scored. :) we were up 1-0.... the game was back and forth. both teams playing and battling it out. in the last couple minutes i got the ball right near half and played it up to give a teammate the chance to go to goal. she put it away. score 2-0. game finished couple minutes later and the final was 2-0. it was great getting the win today against a tough team. we are still currently on the top of the league, and have increased our points so there is a couple point gap between us and the second team.... next we head to a island to play IBV it will be a tough game but i'm very excited we get to take the ferry there i've never been on a ferry... and i hear it is beautiful. so hopefully we will play a great game and it will be an awesome trip. :) thats all for now.

love from iceland.
xo ash.

VALUR game.....

WE BEAT VALUR. :) we played valur at home and we came out on top. which keeps us on the top of the league. it was a great win for us. we were down 1-0 at halftime and were playing like crap. we let nerves run us and did not settle down until second half. we started playing a little better, moving the ball and playing hard. a girl on our team Adda went in for a tackle with an american on valurs team they were tangled on the ground and the valur american literally kicked Adda off of her. so the valur player got a red card!!! thrown out of the game, and they had to play short for the last like 25min. that gave us tons of motivation and we were charged up. i got the ball and played it thru to Helga and she got taken out in the box, which gave us a penalty kick. Adda stepped up and took it, scored. 1-1. Then in the last minutes. the ball got crossed in by one of our defenders and Helga got her head on the ball sending it in the back of the net!!! 2-1 VICTORYYYYY. LOVE IT. great win at home, and kept us on top of the league.

Best from round 11.... article Fotbolti.net

I TRIED TO GOOGLE TRANSLATE THE ARTICLE ALREADY FOR YOU GUYS TO READ. :) 

Best í 11. umferð: Stefnum öll að sama markmiðinu

Ashley Bares er besti leikmaður 11. umferðar á Fótbolta.net

Mynd: Fótbolti.net - Eva Björk Ægisdóttir

`

Ashley fagnar einu af fjórum mörkum sínum gegn Þrótti

Mynd: Fótbolti.net - Eva Björk Ægisdóttir

Fjórir Þróttarar sækja að Ashley

Mynd: Fótbolti.net - Kristján Orri Jóhannsson

It is time to announce the selection of the best 11th player Pepsi-round women's division of users online. There is no other than Ashley Bare striker management, which will honor this time but scored four goals in a 4-2 victory at the stars run out.
This is the second time that Ashley is a player selected in round & White, but she was also named the second round tournament, the first match and the stars run out.
"We were not quite ready to play and they made it difficult for us by scoring early in the game. After we started playing like we felt it getting better but we need to start games on time. But overall was good to play together, score some goals and finally win the game, "said Ashley about the game.
Ashley went for his team in the game, scoring four goals. She says he was pleased with its performance and range.
"Of course it is always nice to score goals. Especially since we landed on the line and really need to keep the boundaries. I want to do as I can to help my team. We created us þónokkur opportunity we were unable to finish. For example, the defender saved the great dynamism of the goal line, but yes, I was pleased with the level and know I must always work hard for my next game. "
As previously indicated, this is the second time that Ashley has chosen the best player on the traffic & White, and both times it has been selected by a game against the run out. When asked she not be easier to score against the vigor than other teams.
"I think it is no different to meeting them than other teams. Scoring goals is just something that happens when the team does well sóknarlega. We did well to find each other and create opportunities. I thought it was going well against the run out. I tried to adjust to defending their specific movements and running so that my team could work with me and find delivery channels. "
Ashley is the top scorer in the league with 16 goals after 11 games. What was the key behind such a performance?
"Frankly, it does not, so I think this is a small wonder to me from the statistics. I concentrate on just the game. It's always the next game that matters most and I want to do what I can to help the team. It helps of course to score goals when you're a striker, but the main thing is that the team achieve victory together. "
Star receives selection tonight in a big game season. We asked Ashley to the game and preparation, but her coach, Þorlákur Arnason has been abroad in years U17 national team of Iceland.
"We definitely missed coach and two teammates of us who were away with England, but I know we all fit for the game. Support Our coach did very well last week, was good training and preparation for the game. Our team is hard working and we are all pursuing the same goal. We put a lot of us and expect the same from each other.
"Valsliðið is strong and based on the position in the league is a great game coming up. I look forward to the game as my team-mates. The tough games are always fun and we're excited. "
"This is our next game and for me it is always the most important game.This will be a great game for both players and audience, and we will try to get three points, as in all other games we play. "
So the tie is not acceptable?
"I never like to draw. In the U.S. we say sometimes "tie is like kissing his sister," because there is nothing special. I say that no, I would not be happy with a draw and will play to win like in other games. If we compare the number of points the teams would draw not bad for us, but it's never fun to draw, "said Ashley Bahrain, 11th best player round to the final conversation with users online.



Frétt fr� Fótbolta.net. Sj alla fr�ttina: http://www.fotbolti.net/fullStory.php?action=viewStory&id=112463#ixzz1U4Rq5kVH

OUR GAME MAGAZINE.... Q&A with me :)

http://www.ourgamemagazine.com/pepsi-deildin.html
Pepsi-Deildin (Úrvalsdeild)

---

Pepsi-Deildin is Iceland's top-flight league, featuring the following clubs in 2011: Stjarnan, Valur, ÍBV, Þór/KA, Fylkir, Breiðablik, KR, Þróttur R., Afturelding, and Grindavík

---

Aug. 3, 2011

Q&A with Stjarnan striker Ashley Bares

Ashley Bares, the First Half Player of the Year in Pepsi-Deildin and league all-star, has been on a tear this season with league leaders Stjarnan. Through 11 matches played this season for Stjarnan, the recent Marquette University grad leads the league in scoring with 16 goals. We recently caught up with Bares following a training session this week.

Our Game: Obviously everyone who plays soccer, their goal is to one day play professionally. Was that how it was with you, and what were you setting your sights on?
Ashley Bares: It was like this for me, too! I always dreamed of playing professionally. Ever since I was little, playing in college, and playing professionally were what I always hoped for. Once I heard of players playing overseas, I had my mind set on trying to play overseas, for the soccer and to be able to experience somewhere new.  

OG: Did you consider entering the Women's Professional (WPS) Draft, or did you attend any of their tryouts or combines?
AB: I did consider trying to play in the WPS and attending a tryout, but I was still finishing up my classes in the spring. Also, I always thought playing overseas would be an awesome experience, playing in a completely different environment and with new players. Of course, playing in the WPS would still be something I'd love to try and do, to be able to play ball in the states in front of family and friends would be pretty great. I hope the league keeps building and continues to show support and interest, especially after the WWC this year. Our USWNT did such a great job representing and playing with heart. It was fun to watch and cheer them on!

OG: A lot of your college goals were scored by finding a way to get past defenders with both creativity and great vision, and you took advantage of defenders if they gave you just an inch or two of open space, rather than scoring off, for instance, back post headers, crosses, etc. Is that one of the reasons why you've become so successful in Iceland?
AB: I think that playing for Marquette and in the Big East had taught me as a player that when I used my body and strength, it helped me become dangerous near goal and to keep the ball for our team. It has prepared me well for where I am playing now. I know that I can be a strong player up top and using my body well is something that helps me when I go against defenders. In Iceland, I have been trying to do the same, but also continue to try and build and add to my game. Ultimately, I just want to do what I can to get the ball in the net. 

OG: Describe the first day you arrived in Iceland (your first day of training, what it was like, how it was different from American soccer).
AB: For me, my first day in Iceland I arrived on a Friday at 7 a.m. Iceland time, after traveling all afternoon/night Thursday. I arrived at my place. and I got to sleep for about three hours during the day, then training time. I was anxious and excited for meeting the team and coaches. When I got to our field, I met our coaches, and they told me we were running the Cooper Fitness Test at training that day, but since I just arrived off the plane I could wait and sit it out and take it another day. Come on, who would want to sit out when they just arrived?! I told them I'd love to jump in with the team and start training with them and do the test. Running the Cooper, my legs started feeling heavy from all the travel, but with all my excitement and happiness of being here in Iceland, playing, I just kept running, stayed with the group and passed my first fitness test here. So that was my first training ... the day I arrived ha ha. The next day we had actual training, not a fitness day. It was to me short and sweet, maybe like an hour and 15 minutes on the pitch altogether. Drills were similar, but it seemed to go by so fast, and then it was over. So, biggest difference is the length of training, compared to coming from college. The language barrier was another big difference for me. I like to think I'm a vocal player and teammate, so when the coach and girls were talking in Icelandic, I wanted to know what they were saying. But now I am used to hearing the language, and the girls and coach are great with talking to me when I don't understand something or explaining in English.

OG: Did it take a while to get used to their style of play?
AB: For me, it didn't really. I jumped in and played right away, then just adjusted things as I went, what worked and what didnt work. 

OG:  In just your second game for Stjarnan, you scored two goals, and then you just go on a tear, scoring goals in almost every game, including 10 over your last four games. You've obviously found your knack. To what do you attribute all this success?
AB: I do like to score, like any forward, so I've just been trying to work hard and help my team out by creating chances to score and working as a team to get us the wins we want and need. It is always nice to score goals for you team, so whatever way I can help our team on the field, I'll try my best to do it. 

OG: You were named the top player for the first half of the season in Iceland. What was your reaction?
AB: It was nice hearing the news of course, but I was just happy that our team did well the first half of the season. It has put us in a good position for the second half of the season if we continue to work hard and play smart. That's what really matters - our team and how we are doing together. I got the honor because we worked hard, and I helped with putting some goals in for our team, which helped us win some games.

OG: There are more and more Americans playing overseas, even more so now in Iceland. What's it like knowing that there are opportunities to play professionally after college?
AB: For someone who absolutely loves the game and wants to continue playing, I think hearing of leagues that are strong and successful is so nice. To have the opportunity to experience playing overseas is very exciting as a player. 

OG: What are some things you like to do outside of soccer, particularly on days off?
AB: I like to explore around Iceland when I get the chance. It really is beautiful here. I love seeing the mountains every day, people riding around on horses, and the soccer here! The people just love the game, and it's great. There are small pitches all over Iceland by the schools, and they are filled with little kids playing at practice or just playing pick-up. It's great! I like to go for jogs around and just check things out. When I'm running, it's like a reality check every time. I still say to myself, 'I'm in Iceland playing soccer!?' It's awesome. I love it. Also, I've climbed to the top of Mt. Esjan here, which was so amazing. It was great climb getting to the top and such an amazing view! Exploring downtown Reykjavik is fun and grabbing lunch with teammates and hanging out on days off. 

OG: What would it mean to you to win the league this year?
AB: When we won the preseason cup for the first time ever, it was pretty exciting to be a part of, but to win the league it would definitely be even better. Stjarnan has never won the league, and being my first time here I think it is a great goal to go after. It would be a great accomplishment and something our team would be very proud of, but we do have some very tough games left, so we need to take it one game at a time and continue to work hard.

LOVE FROM ICELAND.

xo ash.