…AWAITING FOR PLAYOFF OPPONENT
(February 13, 2013): True champions will always face adversity from time to time. How one responds and what destiny is pursued is ultimately how one’s legacy is defined. For the Saints soccer team, following last year’s historic year of winning the state championship, this year has proved to be quite the test of endurance, focus and the will to win.
This week, the team finished up its regular season beating conference rival La Jolla High by a score of 3-1. The win clinched an overall record of 14-4-3 and a league record of 4-3-1 leading to yet another berth in this year’s sectional playoffs and an opportunity to make a run at the state championship again.
The year brought with it successes and challenges one might expect for a team that was targeted as a trophy win by other schools. When Saints played a game, the opponent was always ready to bring their A-game in order to beat the reigning state champs. Experiencing both tough losses and hard-fought triumphs most certainly developed a battle-hardened team ready for the physical and mental tests that are encountered in the ‘one-and-done’ format of the playoffs.
The year started with a 9-0-1 undefeated streak including a first place finish in the North County Inland Invitational Tournament. For that accomplishment, Saints had to win games over some prominent programs such as Orange Glen, Mt. Carmel and Westview. In other games, Saints also took down out-of-town challengers including Bellarmine Prep of San Jose, Los Angeles-based Annenburg and Warren from Downey (coincidentally, the same school who’s campus was the site for last year’s state championship final).
For the regular season, Saints did well. They handed a very talented Coronado team (#4 in county) one of its only two losses of the season. They topped Cathedral twice in both meetings scoring five goals to one combined. And while they did have their disappointments, like two losses to the league front-runner University City, the team kept their heads high and finished off the year in second place and earning itself a spot in this year’s playoffs.
Now, the year technically starts all over again. The playoffs bring on a “new” season wherein winner takes all. It’s a challenge that Coach Brendan Johnston, his staff, and many of his players have faced before. In the end, the team’s eye is again focused on the prize of winning CIF and repeating as state champs. Doable? Yes. And this time, they know exactly what it takes to go all the way.
Let’s pray that the boys keep their heads high and play the caliber of soccer for which they are capable. Their hearts are in the right place, now it’s time to show it off.
Once the new playoff schedule is out, let’s have as many Saints fans as possible at the games to help show them the “12th” player is there for the team.
