Girls,

Wow, way to step up to the challenge.  Let me put things in perspective for you.  The team you scrimmaged tonight was basically the Highlands JV team last year (minus a few girls).  And, that JV team routinely beat the Highlands Varsity team in scrimmages.  That JV team had a very good winning record last season.  Those girls were all Freshmen and Sophomores, with two Juniors who play down due to birthdays.

Here's the difference girls.  The time you have all put in.  When we have S4, you guys show up.  When I do it for their team, they have about 8 girls (of a roster of 18).  I am very glad you guys displayed such great skill, and won 1-0.  I know it REALLY opened the eyes of those girls that they need to work harder and put more time in.

Girls, I challenged you as a team at our last practice about Discipline.  I also called many of you out individually in front of your teammates on purpose.  We discussed not only discipline about effort and winning 50/50 balls, but discipline to play the game the way you have been taught.  Discipline in leaving your comfort zone in making runs.  Discipline in after making a move to create space, to not "freak out" and simply pass in the direction of a teammate, but pass it to their FEET, or space that makes sense.  Discipline to use the skillful moves you've been taught.  Discipline to check to balls and not stand next to defenders.  Discipline to keep possession, beginning with our defenders.  We spent 20 minutes discussing discipline, and how anything less wasn't acceptable on this team.

Girls, each of you stepped up to the challenge tonight.  I could tell in the first 5 minutes that each of you took that talk to heart.  I am extremely proud of you.  Regardless of the win or outcome, you girls stepped up tonight.  DO NOT FORGET--let's build from here for an awesome spring season.

Olivia:  You in goal can not be taken for granite.  You played great tonight, and your saves were awesome (one in particular was fantastic--incredible reaction time).  You make our team so much better!  The coach's from the other team complimented you as a "great goalie".

Sophie:  I was proud of how after you "dove in" a few times, you began to play "patient defense" staying between defender and goal, but still playing tight enough to not give anyone much space to get off a cross or shot.  And the one time you came back and made that clean slide tackle in the box, and then got up to get the ball--just pure amazing.  Like a warrior!

Kylie:  You are our general, and displayed it well.  I always have said "control the midfield and you will usually come out ahead".  Your give and goes were great.  Your runs were great.  You took on defenders without fear.  When you played up front, you gave their defense all sorts of trouble.  And, your defense on the ball was awesome.  You are fun to watch--always.  But tonight, I was most proud of your positive attitude the entire game (from warm-ups until you left the field)!

Molly:  Molly, great goal!  I can't tell you how important it is that you played so well at the center mid position.  Your effort was great, and you won every 50/50 ball.  You turns were well done, and you gave numerous give and goes.  You showed great offensive attack at the Center Mid position. I have always said that is a "scoring position".  You had a chance to score 2-3 more goals, but it will come with more striking practice!  Sorry I missed the double scissors to a maradonna!  Anyway, playing well at that position, allows us to play girls like Kylie and Jenna at other positions.

Sheena:  I challenged you to work harder on defense and winning 50/50 balls.  You truly showed last practice, and tonight, that your footskills are amazing--"little Messi" is your new nickname.  Your soccer IQ is extremely high.  I was proud you stepped up to the challenge and battled so hard against tonight's much bigger and older girls.  Your improvement with the ball at your feet in such a short time has been almost ridiculous!

Taylor:  I challenged you to work harder.  I challenged you to quit simply running up and down the flank, playing only north and south, but to remember ON YOUR OWN to make east to west runs.  I can remember once incident tonight when you came straight across the field to barely get your toe on it, which played it out to Anna.  Awesome!  You really played hard, and I don't think I had to coach you one time!  You showed you are much faster that what I thought.  All your runs had good speed (not just some)!  And you did well playing Right back defender at the end!

Anna:  Anna, you really add another dimension to our team.  You fear nothing.  Your movement off the ball tonight was great.  You gave their defense FITS!  If Sophie is a warrior in the back, you are that upfront!  I know you are in 1000 other activities, but you really make our team so much better.  You have a great positive attitude too!  I was most proud watching you also, like Taylor, think some East to West movement tonight!  You are hard enough to defend playing all forward due to your athletic ability, but now adding other elements into your game and playing like a true soccer player, gives you and our team soo many other scoring opportunities!

Hannah:  WOW.  I can't say much else.  Your defense on the ball could be the best I've ever seen.  Patient, but relentless. And then when you possess the ball, and put on S4 moves IN YOUR OWN BOX--that just shows confidence like no other.   Your Soccer IQ is off the charts.  You  gave their offense fits tonight.  But, you gave their defense fits too!  Great overlapping runs.  And great support to your forwards!

Morgan:  Morgan, your biggest weakness has been your first touch.  I could be wrong, but I think every first touch you had tonight was perfect.  I will use the word "ridiculous" for you too on how fast your skills have come along.  You played a really really good game tonight.  I know in previous leagues, your speed alone was enough.  It is still incredibly valuable, but I am so glad seeing you play this game like we are teaching you.  As competition continues to get tougher, your skill COMBINED with your speed, is going to make your dangerous!  Great game tonight!!!

Danielle:  You stepped up tonight.  Your soccer IQ is very very high too!  Watching your movement off the ball was great tonight.  You TOTALLY understand how to stay compact on defense, but the VERY SECOND you see we possess the ball, you move to space and become an option--I noticed that from you every time tonight.  I'm telling you, girls your height don't have the skill you have.  One of the coach's on the other team said that to me word for word.  Proud of you!