Championship Wrap

On Feb 5th, we were able to wrap up the T-CAL Championship with a 2-0 win over Palma. In beating Palma, we were also able to avenge our only loss in T-CAL. Palma had beaten us 1-0 a few weeks earlier. In the first game, Palma scored in the waning seconds of extra-time to break our hearts. We had completely dominated the game, but one defensive mistake on our part was all it took for Palma to get the win. I'm not taking anything away from the--they did work throughout the game. But the better team did not win that night. The February 5th game was different. We came out aggressively and got an early goal. Eudis Mendoza took a beautiful switched ball from Roberto Perez and banged in what turned out to be the game-winner. We closed out the first half by dominating possession and working on the different aspects our game. Palma managed to get into our area a few times, but their chances were minimal and not much of a threat. The second half was a little of the same for us. We dominated possession but could not find the net. Palma had six players on defense and we had trouble penetrating their line. Finally, Roberto Perez took a pass from Miguel Salinas. When Roberto received the ball, he made an intelligent play by looking up to see where the Palma keeper was situated. Perez saw the keeper off his line and promptly chipped the ball over his head for what looked like an easy goal. Of course, chipping the ball into the net from about thirty yards isn't easy, especially when the keeper is back-tracking and the rest of the defenders are coming at you at full speed. The goal was a testament to Roberto's soccer IQ and his willingness to take chances on the field.

The win gave us our second consecutive T-CAL Championship. It was a bit of relief on my part, mainly because winning has been the norm for some time for the boys' soccer program. It was also very rewarding. This team has struggled with many issues, and they were able to get over them and concentrate on playing football. Early on, we lacked discipline, desire, creativity, teamwork, communication, and work ethic, and it showed in our pre-season record (only two wins) Now, we are strong in these areas, and our record is 9-1-1 in league.

I am extremely proud of my boys! They have matured on the field, and, more importantly, they will no longer settle for a league championship. They are hungry for a CCS Championship, the first in the history of Alisal High School Soccer. I am confident that I have the team to win it. I am not kidding myself. I have been with these boys for some time now, and I have seen them grow as individuals and as teammates. If we reamain pscyhologically focused, there is no team that can beat us! See you in the playoffs.