Coming off a week where our program hit our team-culture-rock-bottom, we bounced back and made some serious progress this week. Together.
We saw glimpses of what it is going to take to be successful. At Thomas Jefferson in the JV game, a sweet close-range header from James fired us up, and the heart we showed at the end of the game was fantastic. Shaun came forward to get in on a last minute corner, and every player left it all out on the pitch in a close 1-2 loss after the varsity 0-1 loss earlier in the evening.
In our film session Wednesday, we identified serious marking issues in the middle, and the missed opportunities to attack down the wing. In our varsity match against Jefferson, we made the corrections and earned a hard-fought 3-3 draw. On Friday night under the lights at LMF, we did one of the most important things a soccer team can do. We learned to come back. Twice. The Nolan-to-Tarin combo scored two times from crosses from the corner after a first-half goal from Pierson.
Next, we learn an equally challenging lesson. We learn how to finish with a one-goal lead.
Shaun made some of the most difficult saves in soccer on side angle shots he pushed over the crossbar. He got lots of support against both Jefferson and TJ led by our defensive anchors and team captains, Luke and Miles. #DefendTheMountain.
Week of September 4th
We train from 8am to 9:30am Monday, followed by a team breakfast (thank you Heyds and Kiersteins) in the clubhouse to celebrate Labor Day. This is a mandatory training session for all players in town on the holiday weekend since we have two big games on Tuesday.
Tuesday we play back-to-back games at Bear Creek, with the varsity match kicking off at 4pm, and the JV match following at 6pm. The gameday lineup will come out after training on Monday. Players on the varsity gameday roster will be released from school at 2:30pm, and should arrive at Bear Creek by 3pm for a 3:15pm warmup (players not ready to warm up by 3:15pm will not play). JV players must be ready to warm up by 5:15pm.
Thursday, we host Brighten in a varsity match at LMF at 5pm. Players not dressing for the varsity match will have a short training session behind the home goal, then support their teammates. Varsity Players will be released from school at 3:15pm to beat the GMHS parking lot traffic, and need to be outside LMF by 4pm. Everyone else needs to meet outside LMF by 4:15pm.
Friday, we defend our home turf in a 5pm JV match hosting Brighton. Players on the JV gameday roster should be ready to warm up by 4:15pm, and all other players will train starting at 4pm, then support the JV squad for the whole game Friday evening.
Team Store Closes 9/4
Please remember to order your Rams Soccer gear from the team store by Labor Day. Here is a link. And please remember to wear your “Defend the Mountain” scarves to our matches. Unity extends throughout all the stakeholders in our program, and stands full of Green Mountain Soccer scarves sure make us look good and prepared for battle!