Our guys have improved all season. I love when I can see the improvement. We played Moody our first game of the season and lost 10-0 by pretty much the end of the 1st half. This time around though we played them until about 5 minutes left in the game. Our guys played so incredibly tough and did some amazing things out there. They don't quit. And when I say they don't quit, that doesn't mean they simply last throughout the end of the game. They fight for it. You would've thought they were fighting to score the game winning goal. It's incredible when I really think about it. I mean on the way home last night, the 4 guys in my car were already talking about next season and how they were going to get in shape in the summer and they were going to beat everyone next season. I love it. I love that kind of attitude and hope.
I've taught them all season about sportsmanship. About showing others who Woodlawn really is. About making a good name for ourselves out on that field. And last night they did JUST that. The Moody team was a mess. Disrespectful to their coach and teammates, violent on the field, cocky, just a complete mess of a team. We were in no way a threat to their win last night yet they felt the need to dangerously foul us all over the field the entire game. But my guys didn't once retaliate. There was one point where we had a break-away to the goal (I mean we were going to score!!) and the guy behind my guy just lifts his hands and flat out pushes him forward to the ground. You should've seen me - I was furious. I yelled out (in a respectful manner of course) something like, "COACH, that isn't necessary! We are in no way a threat to you! Someone is going to get hurt out here!" Hogan said the coach had to of heard me so honestly that made me feel better - I mean I'm human, ha ha. Anyways, through fouls and red/yellow cards and nasty language and tons else, my guys stayed strong and did what they were told to do, just play soccer. They impressed me more than I can put into words here. In that moment I realized how blessed I am to be able to coach them. I have my "flesh" moments when I would love more players or love more talented players but when all is said and done, I don't want any of that if that's what it looks like. I want my 11 players from Woodlawn that will play their hearts out respectfully until the whistle blows. I told them after the game how proud I was of each one of them. How I loved coaching them. We ate some ice cream to celebrate and headed home for the night.
On the way to work this morning, I was just smiling and thanking God for last night. For this season. For the opportunity to even do what I'm doing. My heart is so full from last night and like I said, I think it was the perfect way to end the season.
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