From Coach Sherry
GRACELAND 8 CENTRAL COLLEGE 0The game tonight was a celebration of the fact that the team had just been nationally ranked at # 20 after one week into the season. To think that this was possible two seasons ago would have been seen as a pipe dream. All the hard work and self sacrifice by all the players, supporters, alumni and staff have made what most people thought of as being impossible, a reality. I knew from the very first day I arrived at Graceland that this day would come. The only surprise to me is that it has come one year ahead of schedule.
So to the game against Central: After a very impressive run of victories in the first three games and being ranked # 2 in the region as well as # 20 in the nation, I was waiting for the team’s play to go flat. It is inevitable and the first 20 minutes was the result. A non-thinking, motionless kind of soccer that we were sure had been left behind. Players deciding to kick the ball forward and hope for the best or just standing still and watching their team mates struggle was not the team that we knew and loved.
The players sat on the bench were asked to observe what was going on and to change the rhythm of the game. A picture says more than a thousand words and they could see immediately what I wanted. This was not to say that the first 11 which went out were totally off course as they did manage to score an early goal from Maniesha Munro who turned expertly well in the penalty area, off a pass from Sabine Schwittay, to slam the ball into the far corner of the net. After 25 minutes nine outfield players were changed and the incoming players began to move the ball around the field with quick, simple passing that left the Central players grasping at air.
The players coming off the field were told to watch the others play, and it was pointed out to them that they are more than capable of playing this brand of soccer which we had worked so hard in developing. I told them that I would not ask them to do something that I didn’t think they were able to do. I knew they were outstanding players who have excellent soccer brains and that the first twenty minutes was just a mere bump on the road to successful learning. I had complete faith in them and it was stressed that in life we don’t usually get second chances but today was their lucky day because they were going back in to start the second half so as to show us what they can really do.
The team which ended the first half did extremely well, scoring twice through Jocelyn Jentsch with a first time left foot shot off a pass from Whitney Danner, and Zulema Martinez running on to a beautiful thrown ball from Heidi Beckstrom to finish a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The result was not in question anymore but the manner of the win was. It was important that those players who had been criticized got out into the middle as soon as possible to put it right. And put it right they did!
The second half started with complete domination of possession of the ball by the Graceland team. The players passed the ball in every area of the field and waited for a gap to appear in the Central defense before cutting through it like a hot knife through butter. It was great to see the players rise to the situation and prove to everyone and themselves that they are tremendous soccer players. As the score was growing I was aware of not letting the result be a farce out of respect to the opponent but when you have 23 superb players on the roster it is very difficult to do. You pull someone off the field to help keep the score down and the replacement will go ahead and knock two into the net!
The first to score in the second period was Sabine Schwittay who ran onto a most amazing ball from Maniesha Munro. Maniesha had been pulling her marker all over the field and received the ball on the wide right with a defender closing in. Using the inside of the foot Maniesha cut the ball to the outside and without looking bent the ball round behind her shoulder, around the defender perfectly weighted into the path of the running Sabine. It was a piece of skill that lit up my day but believe you me there was a show stopper to top anything coming up later! Sabine ran on to the pass and the best way of saying thank you to Maniesha was to crash the ball into the goal which she did with consummate ease.
Next to score was Calea Bourne who finished off a move created by the Graceland midfield with Jennifer Holm being the one to pass the ball between the Central defenders for Calea to penetrate and score from. Next up was the Sabine and Maniesha show again with Sabine scoring from the edge of the penalty area off a pass from the target player, Maniesha Munro.
NEXT WAS THE MOST AMAZING SIGHT TO BEHOLD IN COLLEGE SOCCER! With Luisa DiBiagio doing so well in the goal it would have been unfair to pull her from the goal. Luisa was keeping the shut out and it was only right that she saw the shut out through to the end. Her catch off a corner kick was the pick of the saves tonight. The question was therefore, what are we to do with Samantha Clark, the other goalkeeper? You don’t travel for 2 ½ hours with the team and not play.
Knowing that Sam likes a challenge and after seeing her come onto the field to replace the unfortunate Angela Sanchez, who had ruptured her ACL, in the second game, I decided to put Samantha on as an outfielder. She begged me to let her go on as a striker and I relented though initially I wanted her to bolster up the midfield. Sam went on and then after only 10 minutes it happened!!! Zulema Martinez with the ball at her feet and confronted by a defender, looked up and saw Samantha making a forward run. Zulema jinked passed the defender and as the sweeper came across she placed the ball forward for Samantha to take in her stride. Sam’s first touch was good guiding the ball towards the opposition goal and she out ran the covering defenders as the goalkeeper came out to confront Sam. For a second it looked as if the keeper was going to collect the ball but Samantha managed to find an extra burst of speed to reach the ball first as the two collided. From Sam’s foot the ball lifted just over the diving keeper and made its way to the goal.
The world seemed to stand still and time had no meaning as everyone watched in stunned silence as the ball bounced and went into the corner of the goal. The Graceland bench jumped into the air and the roar would have been heard in Sam’s hometown of Raytown. For my part I think I did a personal best for the high jump clearing what would have been 7 foot 3 inches!!! I almost ran onto the field to hug Sam as I was so happy for her. The other team must have been wondering what on earth was going on.
Sam ran around the field at 150 mph as if her hair was on fire until finally collapsing to the floor on her knees and hands in the air with an expression of sheer joy and amazement on her face. Most players never get to score a single goal in their college careers, Samantha Clark as a goalkeeper has done it in only 10 minutes of play!
As a PS, Zulema Martinez scored her second of the day to round things off with a tremendous assist from Laura Throckmorton with only two minutes remaining. Another great day and one I am sure Samantha Clark will never forget.
I want to take this opportunity to praise the whole team on their efforts today. For 50 percent of them came under pressure tonight and came through it with flying colors, answering any questions of them with a perfect display of controlled soccer. It is vital that the other 50 percent maintains this high level of play so that they never come into question. We have 23 outstanding soccer players here who I am convinced will improve.
Some of the fine performances today were; Chelsea Woodger getting her chance to enjoy her midfield role again with great skill after being released from her defensive responsibilities. Nav Boparai emerging as a very solid right back. Kacey Loving being consistent as ever, a rock in the heart of the defense, and a great leader by example. Heidi Beckstrom showing us all how passing a ball can be viewed as a piece of art. Reily Madigan improving with every game and the most improved player out of the returning players so far. Tina Knights who you can always guarantee will give nothing less than 100 percent every time. Shemille Wright showing great maturity and intelligence in the center back position.
Many of our attacks started at the feet of Shemille tonight. Rie Sawai who began to really shine despite only having a short time on the field. It was decided to rest Rie today and let the others take the major load because in previous games it had been Rie doing the majority of the minutes played. When Rie was on the field you could see her confidence coming back and level of play was outstanding. Laura Throckmorton was another in midfield who was rested for the same reason as Rie.
Having said that, for the short time that Laura was on the field you would find it very difficult to find a better player on any team. Laura was quite simply awesome. Her control of the ball and distribution was immense. Laura links up particularly well with Rie and when they are both on form they set the game alight, as they did today for about the 15 minutes they were on the field. Whitney Danner who just ran through their midfield every time she had the ball until she had to come off with a slight concussion. Julie Montgomery who is playing the best soccer of her life.
Jennifer Holm always being in the right place at the right time for the team. Jennifer played the ball forward today as good as any midfield player I have ever seen at Graceland. Jen is just coming back from injury and had to be taken off to make sure there was no recurrence of the injury. Tara Stavlic who has grown in stature as the holding player in midfield. I believe she enjoys being the center of all Graceland’s play and the thing I enjoy most about Tara is her willingness to learn. I know that I have someone in Tara who understands fully of what I want from the player in her position.
Lara Guscott was only put on for about 15 minutes today. She was unhappy she did not have enough time to score a goal to keep up her average of a goal a game but there was a doubt over her fitness before the game and I did not want this to become an issue. Lara promised me she was ok but when I saw her running around with what looked like a support bandage fro her hamstring I had no hesitation in taking her out of the game. Lara is far too important to this team to risk for the sake of any silly little stat. Lara is a supremely gifted player and she will not play until I am sure she is 100 percent ready to go.
Calea Bourne who worked tirelessly on both wings and deservedly got her goal. Sabine Schwittay scoring her usual goal a game and getting an extra one for good measure. The thing I love about Sabine is she will run at goal and take a shot and if it misses she will pick herself up and will be ready to run at goal again to take another shot. She is a fine example of just being confident in your abilities and to keep on plugging away because good things will happen, instead of worrying and destroying yourself over previously missed opportunities.
Jocelyn Jentsch scoring yet another goal and leading the line with such strength and authority. Jocelyn was another who was rested today together with Zulema Martinez who had just been voted HAAC player of the week. Zulema scored two goals and assisted with one other in the short time she was on the field – what more can I say?
Last but not least is Maniesha Munro who gained most out of tonight’s game (though Sam could argue differently). Maniesha took her goal very well and her all round play showed us all that she will be a major player in this team for the rest of the season and many years to come. Maniesha had been injured for most of pre season and tonight was her first real outing. She moved the back line about causing complete confusion and mayhem in the Central defense all day long and was superb in her link up play with the rest of the team.
The time is 12.21 pm and I must now retire to my bed. It has been a long day but one that will live long in the memories of many people involved with today’s game for a very long time indeed!!
Congratulations to SAM and the rest of the team. We must now prepare for our first conference game on Saturday away to Central Methodist College. Many thanks.
