| Improved defensive organization in both the backline and the midfield with effective containment of dangerous players - This started out as a serious weakness in our play. At the start of the season we lacked the appropriate defensive mindset. This re-emerged after several games but it took way too long. Defense is played by every player, whenever the other team is in possession. It is an attitude that requires players to feel pride in depriving someone of reaching thier goal. This is very much a personality trait that some players have and other do not. Yet, to be an effective team we need players who are willing to develop this attitude to the best of thier ability and to maximize thier potential. Defense is much less dependant upon skill than upon attitude and mental approach. We must finely tune this part of our game. To score 20 goals this season by creating and finishing scoring opportunities - Well we fell short of this considerablly, only scoring a total of 9. To accomplish this we knew we would have to score in almost every game and to tally large totals in several games. We scored in a total of 7 of our 12 games with mulitple goal games in only 2. Without an oppresive defense, the offense must step up and attempt to outscore the opponent. This happens to even the best of teams and we were no exception this season. Our abilty to finish was below where it needs to be if we are to win a great deal of games. To hold all opponents to less than 6 goals - We did very well in accomplishing this not once, but twice, against Circleville. Athens was a game where we failed in this charge. The season opener against Zane Trace was really a game when we should have kept the scoring down. But, the biggest problem was allowing a season high 9 goals on the road versus Bloom Carroll. Bloom Carroll is a good team and a strong program. They are not, however, the best team on our schedule. They are not 2 goals better than Athens, nor are they 4 goals better than Circleville. Our scoreline has to reflect the quality of opponents, and this year it did not reflect that very accurately. To finish the year with a record of 8-2-3 or better - 1-9-2 simply is not a record that we are happy with. This is however indicative of several things. First this is a record that we earned this year by not working tightly together and supporting each other. Had we played the entire season as one team our record may not have been 8-2-3 but it surely would have been stronger than it finished. Second, this record is a good indicator of what the team is capable of. The immediate future could be blindingly bright if we can; work on developing our individual skills, assume responsibility for developing our teammates skills through pushing each other hard in each workout (becuase the harder one girl works the harder her teammates have to work). This team has talent and fitness. These are indispensible qualities for a winning team, we just have to pull together and work as one unit all over the field and throughout the entire season. To finish the season in the top three of the MSL - When we think that 3 or 4 wins can earn a spot in the top three of the league we should be encouraged about such a goal next season. We need to analyze the 2004 season and learn from our mistakes so that we can correct them in the offseason and in 2005. To win our first ever OHSAA match - The real key to this is during the first half of the regular season. We need to earn a better record so we can be seeded higher and play an opponent that provides a better chance of a win for us. No opponent is unbeatable, and likewise, no opponent guarantees a victory, but we need to put ourselves in the best position possible. Being seeded in the top four of our site would insure us a home match. Overall the 2004 season was a story of promise and a prelude to the next chapter of this program. We have set the stage and whet our appetites. Our job now is to prepare ourselves adequately and to work on being teammates in the truest sense of the word. The offseason will be a very important time for us. Starting with indoor soccer in the winter, continuing through various small sided tournaments in the spring, and heading into summer open fields and workouts. This summer will see some changes in our pre-season preparation. We will be looking forward to a second summer at Tiffin University for thier team camp. We will also continue conducting open-fields at least twice a week. Remember that open fields are open to everyone, of any gender age or school affiliation. This is a chance to get together and just enjoy playing soccer. Pre-season instruction will also be conducted in small groups and on a positional basis. Players should stay informed of the schedule on the upcoming events calendar. We are eager to start preparations for next fall and look forward to a successful sixth season. This year has encouraged us to come out and work harder than ever on our fitness, our basic skills, and our teamwork. We possess as much potential as any group of players in this short history of this program. We can be competative in the MSL and in the Southeast District in 2005. All we need is some cooperation, some dedication, and some self-sacrifice to a larger goal. BACK TO CLOSING REMARKS BACK TO ARCHIVES BACK TO HOME |