An Exciting Conclusion

Amid the multi-colored trees of Orange County, you all fought back to finish our season with a 6-6 tie. The game was a nail-biter, and I was pleased that we finished with the intensity of the second half rather than the slow start of the first. It wasn't the victory we were hoping for, but you all can feel proud of our closing effort.

GAME FOOTAGE!!! With a big thank you to Ms. Tharp and Keegan, I hope you enjoy this wonderful video compilation.

Game balls:

Carter: You made two clutch saves near the end of the game to preserve the tie. You've improved as a keeper throughout the season, and we appreciate all of your hard work in the net.

Kai to Lance to Mattie: Our sixth goal was one of my favorites of the year. Kai passed back to Lance, who launched a rocket. Mattie outran the Grymes defenders and keepers before finishing the play with his trademark grace and precision.

Kai: When the second half started, your intensity and passing were the key to our comeback. Fantastic job of listening and responding to Coach's words.

Keegan: Talk about finishing the season on a high note! You were awesome today, Keegan. Your first half goal and assist single-handedly kept us in the game. You played a singularly impressive game to cap a stellar 8th grade effort.

Your parents: We are immensely grateful for the bagels, snacks and refreshments all season long. We are similarly grateful for your cheering and support during home and away games. Parenting a middle schooler is hard work -- you could say that it requires the dexterity, strength, foresight and positive attitude of a well-balanced soccer player. Boys, please remember to thank your families for all of their love and encouragement.

It's Getting Cold Out Here

The crisp air and gusty wind couldn't put a stop to some beautiful teamwork on the pitch this afternoon. You all played very well, individually and as a group. I especially liked the way you increased the intensity as the second half began. 

Will's goal -- and the team's enthusiastic response to it, on the field and on the bench -- will go down as a highlight of the season. Will positioned himself perfectly to finish Holmes's excellent save-and-cross. A beautiful shot to cap a well-played game.

Game balls:

Mattie: D-E-T-E-R-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N. You've got it in spades, and it's part of what makes you a leader of our team.

Sylas: You played your best game of the season, Sylas! You have learned so much about positioning yourself and moving to open space. You also passed the ball efficiently and out-hustled the Tandem attack on several plays. Fantastic effort.

Coach Connor's Kids: They brought the cuteness this afternoon, for sure. But I want to know if Coach is teaching them about defensive containment and open-field passing yet.

A Victory in the Fall Sunshine

Boys: You all played a great game today. 

In particular, you listened closely to Coach Connors at halftime and took control of the game by playing with more intensity during the second half. I enjoyed watching the excellent goals by Taylor, Keegan, and Charlie (2).

Game balls:

Alex: You have made steady improvement all season long. Of particular note, you are doing a better job of keeping your head up while dribbling, which enables quicker and more accurate passes. You had a lovely one-touch pass to Sebastian during today's game, which had the effect of redirecting the flow of the ball. Well done, Alex.

Will: Coach Connors and I were unaware of your hidden reserves of speed!! You caught a Grymes attacker by accelerating to an incredible pace. Gentlemen: please suggest nicknames for our newly-discovered track star!

Connor: Your enthusiasm for playing attack today was awesome. Also -- your technique while kicking the ball in the photo (above) looks like something from a "How To Do It Right" soccer manual!

Mattie: Your pass to Charlie for today's third goal was the definition of unselfish soccer. In addition to your stellar skills, Mattie, you are truly a team player.

Hustle

Boys: That was a great win against a solid team from James River Day. I loved the hustle that I saw at every position. You showed determination to win the 50-50 balls, and you played hard to the final whistle. 

Game balls:

Jack to Kai: Jack took several confident dribbles down the right sideline, then launched a gorgeous pass just beyond the James River defenders. Kai timed his run perfectly, and his left-footed shot was like a Renaissance masterpiece (sorry, but I just had to use a Social Studies metaphor for that beautiful goal).

Will: Will, you have been making steady progress in your skills and your sense of positioning. Yesterday you moved perfectly to receive a pass from Mattie and then take a strong shot at goal. You were ruled offsides, but it was a close call and you should feel great about your performance throughout yesterday's match.

Sebastian: You stepped up to play keeper in the second half, even though it was not your preference. This enabled Carter to play in the field and -- notwithstanding your protestations -- you made a nifty save that preserved the shutout. Well done, Sebastian. 

Pop Quiz: Do you remember who painted this lovely work from the Renaissance?!

Playing As A Team

Boys: Coach Connors and I were very happy with the improvement that we saw this afternoon (to quote the Veritas coach: "You guys looked like a different team today"). Particularly in the first half, we played team defense and used the open space beautifully. 

We wore down in the second half and allowed some cheap goals. Nevertheless, we maintained an attacking posture in the game's final minutes and nearly scored twice.

Our goal for Thursday is a complete game -- 60 minutes of focused and smart play. Based on what we saw in today's first half, I am certain that we are capable of it.

Game balls:

Josh: Today was far and away your strongest effort. You have been listening carefully as we work on the mechanics of effective defense, and your hard work in practice definitely paid off during today's game. Fantastic work, Josh.

The Kellys, C. and J.: It must be a lot of fun for the Kelly parents to watch their two boys play together. 

From my perspective as both a teacher and coach, I so admire the way that each of the Kellys is a true scholar-athlete. 

By way of example: before today's game, Carter taught Coach Connors and me about the Israeli Defense Force's recruitment protocols. This was high level stuff.

Then, without blinking an eye, Carter transitioned to making multiple strong saves once the whistle blew. 

St. Anne's aims to nurture students who are strong of body and strong of mind; Carter and Jack clearly fit the bill.

Lance: You played your best game this afternoon, notwithstanding a sore knee. You communicated with the midfielders and started numerous counterattacks. I loved the way you crashed a high-kicked ball towards the end of the game and nearly led us to a closing goal.

Holmes: Boom goes the dynamite. That is all; thank you and goodnight.

A Hard Fought Victory

Collegiate is one of our most respected rivals. 

Across the various sports, they play hard, they play with skill, and they play with sportsmanship. I anticipate you will play some intense games against Collegiate in the years to come -- and you played your first this afternoon.

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Despite having an enormous advantage in the number of shots taken, we couldn't find the back of the net in the first half of the game. You kept up the intensity for 60 minutes, though, and the decisive score came eventually.

You should feel very proud of your effort this afternoon, most notably because it was truly a team victory. The offense and the defense contributed equally; every one of you was part of the win.

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Game balls:

Gavin, Jack, Charlie: The three of you formed a defensive triangle in the middle of the field that was relentless in repelling Collegiate's forward-movement and starting our counterattacks. I loved watching the way that you coordinated your movement, and I loved listening to the way you communicated with each other.

John: This was your strongest game. It was difficult to track the precise movement of the ball on our score, but I'm certain that the series of passes began when you won the ball from a Collegiate midfielder and moved it in our direction. Every goal begins on the foot of a player who doesn't get the credit in the end; this one began on yours.

Kai: GOOOOOOOOOAL!

It started on John's foot, and it ended on yours. You positioned yourself perfectly and finished with power. Beautiful stuff.

Mattie: Before the game, you set a goal of taking at least 7 shots. I am fairly sure that you achieved this ambitious goal. 

I felt your disappointment that none of the shots ended quite the way you wanted, but your offensive firepower -- and your incredible hustle on play after play -- was a key to our victory.

Mother Nature: In this week's Chapel, I will read two passages reminding us to be grateful for the natural world around us. As we basked in the warm sunshine and gorgeous blue sky this afternoon, it was hard not to be awestruck by the beauty of our planet.

Congratulations on an excellent game, boys. Let's keep up the focus and intensity next week.

A Tough Loss In The Rain

It was a rainy and windy day in Richmond, and we struggled to find an offensive or defensive groove.

At game's end, Coach Connors talked about the renewed emphasis that we will place on team defense. He expressed his confidence that we can and will improve.

Despite the tough loss, there were some strong individual efforts this afternoon.

Game Balls:

Judah: You brought intensity and focus to today's game. This is what we are aiming for. You were determined to win loose balls, and even on the sideline you maintained a sharp focus. Keep up the excellent work.

Clemente: Your skills are improving with each game. Today I noticed more agile footwork and a better sense of the field. You also stepped to a loose ball and beat the Veritas midfielder to it.

Charlie: During these initial games, Coach Connors and I are getting a sense of the best way to position the players. Charlie, you showed considerable promise at center defense, supporting your fellow defenders and steering the action away from goal. We look forward to continuing to work with you -- and the entire team -- on defensive tactics.