Post Game Notes

Girls,
I realize I said I wasn't going to send anything out, and I didn't last game either, so for me to go two games without post game notes might send me over the edge :) .  But seriously, after having a little time to reflect, I realize I should have let you all leave much earlier on a much more positive note heading into the State Cup (Yes, Heidi wasn't happy waiting on me!), and I realized we did do something very important that we hadn't done in a few games (more on that below).  As coach Eric said, the first 15 minutes were awful, the second 15 minutes got much better when you found your passing game.  The second half wasn't terrible, but got worse as time progressed.  We looked very tired.  We had two subs, so we will begin to sub much faster for some girls.

Ok, I am writing this because as bad as I made it sound after the game, I realized something.  Yes, we are obviously in a big rutt looking at our last 1/2 of the season, but today we got very good shots.  Morgan had two very open shots.  Molly had one open shot beginning of game.  Jenna had an open shot attacking the middle that first half.  Ciara had two head balls for shots and a nice volley out of the air that went to the goalie.  I might be missing more, but all of those shots were VERY makable shots that we do DEFINITELY need to finish.  And there may have been more, but that's all I remember.   Anyway, those 7 shots were all much better looks than we've gotten for a while.... That is a huge positive in itself.

I know we haven't played on grass or practiced on grass for a very long time, and it was thick today.  We had all 3 practices on hard floor last week and our last 4-5 games have been on turf (but other teams had to cancel practices last week due to weather!).  All of our passing was very short and soft today.  Girls who usually have a very good touch were leaving passes short. So I know the grass was a factor.  But girls, we have to adjust.  We have to adjust.  Warm-ups should have been enough to work-out your touch on grass.

We also are not taking balls out of the air.  When I said I watched 12 year old's this weekend using their head on the first touch from a goalies LONG punt, I mean it--they did almost every time.  We still have yet to do that.  Unfortunately we don't have enough subs due to injury for me to create habits by subbing out girls when you don't do this.  So, it has to simply come from your heart.  Anticipate where the ball is going to be, get there, and win it out of the air everytime, and other girls need to be options for you when you win it.

Girls, we got great shots today, stay positive.  But I ask you to remember how much you hated when we tied the first league game of this season.  We started 3-1, and finished 3-3-2 (.500).  I remember the first league tie of the season just a month ago--you would have thought we lost the world cup.  You all left it on the field--every ounce of heart, and I've never seen so many upset, ticked off girls as I saw that day after that tie.  I need you to hate to lose or tie again.  I need you to hate it.  I need you to not accept it. I need you to hate losing as much as I do.  We will advance next weekend.  I can only promise this -- If you hate to lose as much as you did the first league tie of this season, when I thought you actually played incredible soccer and I told you so, you will advance.  But if you have become comfortable with ties or losses over the last few games, then it will be a short trip.  How much you hate losing and love winning is determined when you think you don't have much left on the field, but you continue to dig deep every second of the game you are on the field.  That is when it's determined how much a loss or win means to you.  I said it last week--Just last season we went undefeated in league play, and I walked away from some games thinking "we might have gotten a little lucky, and that our hard work overpowered teams that may have been a touch more skilled;  but this season I have walked away from the last 4-5 games thinking that we absolutely should have won and were the better team every game".  That statement applies again today.  And that is so frustrating for me, and I hope it is frustrating enough for you to step up and work harder and SMARTER.

Please show me I think you have what it takes.  Please leave every single ounce of your heart on the field--for me--and for you..   I am open to hear any of THE GIRLS comments below.  Enjoy your evening, have a great day at school, and see you at practice.

Brian