The varsity season came to an earlier end than we had hoped, when we lost our 2OT semi-final match to Lebanon on a contraversial call, but that is the game. Our team battled a strong opponent for 120 minutes ( really 119 minutes and 54 seconds ) but were not able to clinch the victory. This was our best season since 2004 and the last match was certainly a battle in which the entire team gave 100%.
As Dana Bourassa related to me when referring to Holly's play in the last game..."As her story is told and retold in Souhegan soccer lore she will be much shorter, jump much higher, be twice as tough, and have at least 60 saves in the semis before the controversial call ended her career."
I think that Dana is right on track, and the same message will apply to this entire team....over the years, our girls will get smaller, and the Lebanon girls will get bigger. I am confident that the thing that will not change is the amount of heart and dedication to each other that we displayed during our final match. It is certainly one of those special moments when a team leaves everything on the field, and everyone should be proud. I know that I will always look back on this group and the pride that I feel will bring tears to my eyes.
As I look back on the season, I find myself sifting through numerous memorable moments. From the day at the beach to quarterfinal domination of St. Thomas. I am certain that any involved with the team this year will take away memories that will last a lifetime.
For some of our girls, this will be the last time that they will wear a Souhegan Soccer uniform as they end their career with us. For others, this was the beginning of what should be a very exciting career on the SHS pitch. For all, the bond that they made, will last a lifetime, and the 2010 season will be full of stories.
As I told my JV team after my first year at Souhegan..."the wins and losses will fade away, but the friendships and memories will last forever".
Thank you to all the players, parents, and friends of the girls soccer program! We could not have done this without you, and certainly appreciate the efforts of everyone in making our season the huge success that it was. Now we close the book on the 2010 season, and as Lisa tells me..."it is day 3 of 2011 preseason"
It has been a memorable season....THANK YOU!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Are we back??
I have been asked this question multiple times throughout the season, but especially over the last week, as the team has begun our playoff run.
It is no secret that the early days of Souhegan Girls Soccer was one of those success stories that could be made into a movie....brand new school, record setting run of state championships, and 13 straight state final match appearances.
The teams in those days had some great players, led by good coaches, but NH girls soccer was a bit different. With the rise of multiple other spring sport opportunities, and the the growth of strong club soccer in different areas of the state, the soccer environment has changed.
Souhegan has always had some very talented athletes, and that is evident in the number of state championships in all girls sports...not just soccer. At the same time, on the soccer pitch, we have found ourselves with less "full-time" soccer players, while some of our competition had many "soccer only" athletes.
We have always been able to remain competitive, but were lacking that special something to carry us on to the state finals.
So what has been different this year??? I guess I am not really sure...there are many exciting differences.
Our team this year has more girls that play soccer year around than in past years....
The captains have done a fantastic job on and off the field of motivating the girls, and getting them to work together as a group....
The younger girls on the team, have brought a renwed energy level that has been infectious to the entire group....including the coaching staff.
So...is Souhegan Soccer back on the road of success? I'm not sure that we were ever off the road...just in the slow lane, and yes, this year we have definitely moved back into the fast lane....hopefully to stay!
It is no secret that the early days of Souhegan Girls Soccer was one of those success stories that could be made into a movie....brand new school, record setting run of state championships, and 13 straight state final match appearances.
The teams in those days had some great players, led by good coaches, but NH girls soccer was a bit different. With the rise of multiple other spring sport opportunities, and the the growth of strong club soccer in different areas of the state, the soccer environment has changed.
Souhegan has always had some very talented athletes, and that is evident in the number of state championships in all girls sports...not just soccer. At the same time, on the soccer pitch, we have found ourselves with less "full-time" soccer players, while some of our competition had many "soccer only" athletes.
We have always been able to remain competitive, but were lacking that special something to carry us on to the state finals.
So what has been different this year??? I guess I am not really sure...there are many exciting differences.
Our team this year has more girls that play soccer year around than in past years....
The captains have done a fantastic job on and off the field of motivating the girls, and getting them to work together as a group....
The younger girls on the team, have brought a renwed energy level that has been infectious to the entire group....including the coaching staff.
So...is Souhegan Soccer back on the road of success? I'm not sure that we were ever off the road...just in the slow lane, and yes, this year we have definitely moved back into the fast lane....hopefully to stay!
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