If you gave anyone who knew about field hockey the above scorecard and asked them about this game they may say that we lost. And they would be wrong. The scoreboard said we lost. There will be an “L” added to us in the standings. That does not mean a thing to me or all the parents or even to Mrs. Flynn. We see a “W”. Merion Mercy has outscored us 21-0 in the previous three meetings for the 2013 & 2014 seasons. You held them to 2 goals today. What you all did today was nothing short of amazing. What today’s game showed the VJM faithful fans and your coach was that you are capable of doing great things when you work together. All game long you supported each other. When a team mate lost a one on one battle for the ball, the next person would win it back. Kerri Eiben had 17 saves in this game. The last time you played them, you didn’t get the rebounds and clear them. This time you took care of the circle and protected your goalie. In my honest opinion, Merion is the best team we faced this year. They are a well balanced team with 7 players who can score unlike some of the other teams that rely on just a few players to get themselves on the scoreboard. Usually I mention individual players who made a difference in this game and although it may be nice to see your name as being one of the standout players of the game, I feel that is better if the standout players are the team. Today the players of the game are all of you. Everyone who stepped onto the field during this game did their job and they did it well. It’s refreshing to have your parents come over and congratulate me for an exciting loss. I like to see their appreciation of a well-played game but to be completely honest I don’t feel comfortable taking credit for the work you did between the lines. This team deserves all the credit for what you have done today and all the credit for the growth that you are showing with each passing game. I’ve said it once and I’ll keep on saying it over and over again, I am humbled, I am proud, and I am honored to coach all of you. I just have one request from all of you and that is to finish this season, the final five games, with the effort you gave over the last two games. If you do this, if you commit to it as a team, you will achieve greatness. You will send your senior class off with a sense of accomplishment to their four years of hard work and dedication and you will set the tone for your remaining years as a member of the Villa Joe field hockey team. When you walk through the halls at school, keep your head held high, you have earned respect for this team. I don’t care if the final score does not declare us the winner, I care about how you played the game, I care that you play as a team, I care that all 39 of you learn to play as one.
Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.