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Taking Baby Steps
By. Jessica R. Chisley, Asst. Coach
September 11, 2007
Last week was a big week for the Women's soccer program. During that opening weekend of play, we took our first set of steps toward becoming the Team of Firsts . After home games against regionally strong, Ohio-based, Otterbein College and Ohio Northern University - we began to realize we can compete with top tier programs. However, it is the hope of the coaching staff that our players begin to realize that we can not only compete with these types of programs, but that we are one of those programs. Losing to Otterbein 1-nil was not merely disheartening, but somewhat of a let down. Before we continue, we want to be quite clear that we are not faulting the effort of our player's during that game. They certainly gave everything they had from start to finish and we do not want take that away from them. The disappointment comes in knowing we had opportunities to score, but simply did not take advantage of them. This is a little problem what we must work to correct as we continue working toward our goals.
Sunday was a great pick-me-up from Saturday's disappointing loss. Accordingly, the wonderful team victory set the tone for the rest of the week! Though Monday was a rest day (no practice) for the ladies, they made time to lift weights in their free-time. Tuesday, we received two wonderful honors that we were anxious to inform the players of. Junior, Lizzie Hubbard received the D3Kicks.com National Team of the Week Award . We also learned we had broken into the Regional rankings at No. 6 – the first time this had been done since joining the Great Lakes Region sometime between 2000 and 2001. We were certainly ecstatic about this honor, but wanted to share the information with the team in a creative and surprising way.
As luck would have it, Tuesday is a day we call Work Day . The focus of these practice sessions is fitness. We usually train for 30-45 minutes, then, conclude with a full-sided 11v11 competition. What better motivation for the players to train hard than to learn you have been named the No.6 team in the Great Lakes Region? Accordingly, we set the tone early by posing a simple question: How do you think the No. 6 team in the Region will train today? The girls weren't quite sure how to answer the question, but Jay helped them sort things out by saying in a very calm voice, “I'll let you know after practice.” Jay's response was met with cheers, smiles, clapping hands, and a few looks of disbelief. We had achieved one of our goals and set into motion our plan to become the Team of Firsts .
As we all know, in order to achieve great things, one must first develop a road map of how to achieve such things. Over the past two weeks we have begun developing a method by which to reach our goals. Work Days are one of the many tools we use to develop mental and physical toughness, character, and a winning attitude. When the ladies walk off the field after a Work Day, we hope they are doing so with confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
The rest of the week filled out nicely as we prepared for competition in the Transylvania Showcase. Saturday, we met in the locker room and did a player-appreciation-themed pre-game activity. Each player drew a name out of a cup and was asked to write a few words regarding: 1) Why they are glad that player is a part of this team and 2) How they make the Centre Women's Soccer Program better. Going into a tough weekend, each player needed to know how important and special they are to this program. Without the support and encouragement of each player, our ladies would not be successful.
That night, we played Allegheny College ( Penn.) and won 2-nil. Sunday, we returned to action to play the NSCAA No. 14 - ranked Bears of Washington University ( Mo.). If ever there was a game that outlined a team effort , it was certainly that game. On that night, the rain toyed with us – at times falling lightly, not falling at all, and then finally coming down steadily toward the end of the match. Regardless, the players fought through the added hurdle and continued fighting for the win. It was during this period of heavy rainfall, that the Bears took advantage of a dead ball situation 35-40 yards out. The Bears would score and with seven minutes remaining in the game, our ladies refocused and fought for the equalizer. Though we would walk-away losing 1-nil, the players knew they had battled and where very proud of their effort. In a recent email, junior captain, Erin Menard, recounted those final moments saying, “I wish I had a picture of those last 7 min or so - pouring down rain, those on the field giving it all they had, and our girls on the sidelines on their feet cheering their teammates on. It really brought meaning to the phrase win as a team, lose as a team. ”
We are certainly taking baby steps with each match. Our next matches will take place on the road. Wednesday, September 12th we will face Asbury College (Ky.). Then we head to Indiana to take-on the NSCAA No. 18- team in the country with Wittenberg University. As always, don't forget to check our website for important updates and information.
A Day of Remembrance
In closing, we want to take a moment to remember those who lost their lives in the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We can all probably remember where we were and what we were doing on that ill-fated day. On behalf of the Women's Soccer Program at Centre College, we want to send our warmest thoughts and prayers to those families affected by this tragedy and also to those still serving overseas to protect this great nation of ours. May God continue to bless each and everyone of us.
This week in women's soccer archives:
Tuesday Sept 4, 2007
Tuesday April 24, 2007
Tuesday Jan 16, 2007
Tuesday Oct 31, 2006
Tuesday Oct 24, 2006
Tuesday Oct 17, 2006
Tuesday Oct 11, 2006
Tuesday Oct 3, 2006
Tuesday Sept 26, 2006
Tuesday Sept 19, 2006
Tuesday Sept 12, 2006
Tuesday Sept. 5, 2006
Monday Aug. 28, 2006
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