The most dangerous lead in Soccer....

This past week we played two home games on our turf against conference rivals Dakota Ridge (Friday) and Standley Lake (Wednesday.) Both games were an excellent chance for our program to showcase that a team can play physically, competitive, and fairly. I think we did that.

The games were physical to be sure, and I hope we all admire the courage and the toughness of our student athletes to play in such challenging conditions. I am glad I am not out there! The girls are running fast, hitting into each other, and fighting for every loose ball and tackle they can. In fact, two of our players collided off the field on Wednesday, ran over me, stepping on my foot with their cleat. OUCH. And I am not even ON the field.

When these games get that physical, it is preparing us to play the game as it is meant to be played however - physical and fairly. if you do not play physically, and are not MORE competitive than the other team...good luck winning at the highest level.

But let's remind each other that the game also requires DISCIPLINE. Fair play and not fouling limits another team's set pieces, and often, their best chances to score. It also keeps our emotions in check, keeps us focused on executing and playing in a smart fashion.  Every team I have ever coached that wins big games has discipline - it is a must.  

So I thank the girls for competing fiercely, AND for playing fairly and with discipline these past two games. 

AND...in the past games we also were RUTHLESS. At the exact moment when we could have taken the foot off the gas Friday night, at 2-0 or 3-0 or 4-0, against a very good team that could have gotten back into the game, we put the pedal down and were ruthless and took advantage of their momentary lack of fight and effectively ended the game by halftime. I absolutely loved that last fifteen minutes of the first half. Well done!

​There is a saying that "the most dangerous lead in soccer is 2-0." (Parenthetically, ask me and I would prefer 2-0 to 1-0 at the end of the game : ) This saying is because of how a team can get complacent and then one goal can change momentum for the team DOWN 1-2, and that team can go on to beat the team that was ahead by two by a score of 3-2 quite easily!  Keeping the focus, having that ruthless mentality, and really playing better after each goal - that is a quality we want as a program!