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Fall 2009 - Game 2 A First Time for Everything
 Jennie--seemed to go in way too easily and quickly.Sure, the Hammers earned their goals in this match--and they were a truly great team today--but it really did not seem that our girls had properly shown up to start the first half, and the steep hill we created proved to be impossible to crest in just seventy minutes of play. It was a long drive to take for a disappointing result, and I imagine that the ride home was longer for all of us. But, without making excuses, I have to say that I have never coached a team through so many early season challenges. We've had at least five serious injuries to deal with, which is at least four more than we've had in any single season. I have tried more combinations than I can count while trying to remain competitive, protective of those injured, and equitable in playing time. It has not been easy, and maybe the future will hold some formation changes to counterbalance our current areas of weakness and absence. Some of the injuries--to key players like Anna and Tyla--have lingered so long that perhaps longer term rest is the only cure. Yet on the good side, the girls fought back in the second half. They didn't win the game, and they didn't even win the second half, but I think they gave everything they could give to each other. A couple of goals by Kaitlyn and Emily prove that we can score and should make it easier to do so in future games.
Holly, Caris, Sammy, Taylor, Alllyson, Alyssa, Emma, and Steph showed that we can be resilient even in difficult circumstances. And Shelby held her own under a barrage of shots in the late stages of the game.One thing I know for sure is that the girls in light blue will learn from this. They will bounce back, and they will be stronger than ever soon enough. This was the first time they took such a tough loss, but the next one won't come without a fight. Think snow! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
