While watching the Blazers crush Shaq and the Suns last night there were a series of commercials shown that consisted of slow motion NBA plays. The scenes were black & white but the player involved in the action, his jersey was highlighted with vibrant color. There was no audio but after the play, across the screen came a quote.
The one that struck me as most relevant was;
"Where will amazing happen this year?"
I started thinking about it and wanted to bring you back to 2008;
First Round: Sodium vs ESU Arsenal - Turning point; Payten Sonnen to Katherine Kramer to Emmy Owens late in the second half giving Sodium a 1-0 win.
Second Round: Sodium vs LOSC Extreme @ Lake Oswego. Payten Sonnen and Jadyn McMillan each score. Girls coming off the bench with wild abandonment. Turning point; Bethany Hall & Taylor Coon double team and crush an Extreme forward, shutting down a momentum building LOSC drive. Sodium wins 2-0.
Third Round: Sodium vs FC Portland - In PK's Kristin Boone elevates her game and body as she deflects the winning goal off the cross bar, boosting Sodium to the Semi's with a 1-0 win.
Semi Finals: Sodium vs Keizer - With 50 seconds left, crashing Sodium mids present Bailey Hall with a perfect pass for her to blast past the Hotshot keeper for a 1-0 win and a spot in the State Championship game.
Championship Game: Sodium vs FC Portland - After setting goals the night before, Marisa Reid realizes hers as she racks up a pair of goals, giving Sodium back-to-back State Championships with a 2-0 win.
The 2009 season has been chalked full of amazing moments. To many to recall at this point. Our focus needs to remain on the amazing moments to come. Who will provide the spark, the excitement, the game changing plays that turn the tide and raise Sodium to excellence? Will it be Camille with a game saving stop? A long goal from the mid position? A corner kick that results in a Sodium player giving everything she has to head it in? A break-a-way where our forward blasts it past a keeper? And who will supply these amazing moments? Who will be the hero in this years State Cup?
Enter into each game lady warriors with the confidence and attitude that it will be 'ME'! That if it is to be, it's up to me. That You will be that one we are cheering for. That You will be the one that wins the 50/50 that leads to a goal. That You will be the one that stops the opponents break-a-way or provides the perfect pass for the winning goal. You have the heart, you have the talent and the coach to lead Oregon again this year Sodium. As you stride into Rogue Valley on April 11th, know that you are the team to beat, know that you need to bring your 'A' game each and every match, know that you will not give up or give in. Bring the Sodium style and attitude that will not be beat, can not be beat. Remember going into Lake Oswego last year? Remember what was pulsating through your veins? To go into LO's house in the second round and decisively beating them at every position. To leave them standing there wondering just what happened. To have girls come off the bench and play with such ferocity and attack them from every position. THAT is the Sodium Style we know and love.
Expect no less than excellence from yourself and your team. Be the best you can every practice, every game, every day. Push yourself and your team mates to leave it all on the field every game. If you can do that, lady warriors, you truly will be champions.
Leave no doubt.
GO SODIUM!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
GAME ON! - The annual motivation edition
With the OR Rush game looming in the near future as the last remaining tune-up before State Cup, I thought it would be a good time for me to don my coaches cap, get up on the soap-box, and deliver my annual "Get Motivated" Post. This years post will cover motivational speeches given by coaches/players and links to some past motivational posts that have made their way into the blog. Some I will actually write out, others I will link too. So grab a Gatorade, pull on your old high school jersey, pull up a chair with your favorite Sodium player and get ready to be MOTIVATED!
Don't really remember where I found this one, I think it came partially from Al Pacino in a movie where he was a football coach. Of course, it has been adapted to fit our situation.
"Soccer is a game of inches. A goal is often an inch out of the keepers reach. The 50/50 ball is won by an inch. The difference between stopping a forward in her tracks and being scored on is measured in inches. An inch down on the crossbar means a score.The team that fights, scratches and claws the hardest for that inch will win. The team that makes the greatest sacrifices for that inch will be victorious. To be able to look into the eyes of the lady warrior next to you on the field and see that she is willing to sacrifice it all for that inch, and for them to know you will too. That is what being a team is all about.You win as a team, you die as individuals."
Favorite Sayings [link]
TODAY [posted before the first game of 2008 State Cup]
To the lady warriors;
Today you begin the journey you have been preparing for since June of last year. Today you take the field for State Cup. But unlike where you were then, today you are a team. Today you will remember the blood, sweat, tears and exhaustion you endured. Today you will remember the sacrifices you made, how hard you have worked & fought and the lessons taught by Ronnie. Today, when you get to the field, look around you and see how far you’ve come, be proud. Rejoice in your fans who love and admire you. Embrace your teammates and know that each and every one of them will have your back today, and you there’s. Today balls will hit the net, and bodies will hit the turf.
Today you will be unstoppable. Today you are a team. THE team.
Today, you are SODIUM
Thoughts on Motivation [link]
Remember...When we're not training, someone is training to kick our butts!
Win Forever [link - posted before the 2008 State Championship game]
"Every Game Needs A Hero, Who Will It Be?"
Quotes [link]
Hard Work and Dedication [link]
Impressions [link]
Jimmy V [link]- Coach Valvano took a seemingly unknown NC State basketball program and in 1983 won the NCAA Tournament. This is Jimmy Valvano's 1993 ESPY Awards speech. "Never give up. Never EVER give up" He died later that year of cancer.
40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 minutes [link]
I guess what I'm really trying to get at here is simple, the time is now to elevate your game Sodium. You are coming off 2 impressive showings. A first place at BME and a second place finish at Nomads. You have to keep pushing yourselves. You can't let up. Yes, we have a relatively easy State Cup bracket, but what happens in round 2? What happens when we face LOSC? Or Keiser? Or OR Rush or FC? Are we going to be prepared? Are we going to ready to go to battle?
Push yourself, push your team, push your opponent. If you don't go out every practice and every game with the goal to get better, you'll get pushed out of the way.
We have watched you work, watched you sweat and watched you give it your best all year in preparation for State Cup. This is what you have sacrificed for. Commit to excellence Sodium. Commit everyday to get better. You have to put your 'Game face' on every game from here on out. You have to treat each game like you are the underdog and their is NO tomorrow. You will go to war against your opponent and show no mercy. "Trample the weak, hurdle the dead" was a great saying last year, and it holds true this year. You cannot let other teams think they can play at your level. Call it the killer instinct. You have go for the throat and NEVER let up! I've seem this team score 5-6-7 goals a game and more. You have to stride onto the field every game thinking you are going to do it again. And when you get up by a few goals, GO FOR ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! Remember the Mia Hamm saying about leaving a lasting impression? Lady warriors you have the talent, the skills and the heart to defeat any team in Oregon. You just gotta believe. You have to believe that if you work harder, sacrifice more, push yourself further that no other team will survive but Sodium.
Because when it comes down to it, you are the only team.
You are SODIUM
Don't really remember where I found this one, I think it came partially from Al Pacino in a movie where he was a football coach. Of course, it has been adapted to fit our situation.
"Soccer is a game of inches. A goal is often an inch out of the keepers reach. The 50/50 ball is won by an inch. The difference between stopping a forward in her tracks and being scored on is measured in inches. An inch down on the crossbar means a score.The team that fights, scratches and claws the hardest for that inch will win. The team that makes the greatest sacrifices for that inch will be victorious. To be able to look into the eyes of the lady warrior next to you on the field and see that she is willing to sacrifice it all for that inch, and for them to know you will too. That is what being a team is all about.You win as a team, you die as individuals."
Favorite Sayings [link]
TODAY [posted before the first game of 2008 State Cup]
To the lady warriors;
Today you begin the journey you have been preparing for since June of last year. Today you take the field for State Cup. But unlike where you were then, today you are a team. Today you will remember the blood, sweat, tears and exhaustion you endured. Today you will remember the sacrifices you made, how hard you have worked & fought and the lessons taught by Ronnie. Today, when you get to the field, look around you and see how far you’ve come, be proud. Rejoice in your fans who love and admire you. Embrace your teammates and know that each and every one of them will have your back today, and you there’s. Today balls will hit the net, and bodies will hit the turf.
Today you will be unstoppable. Today you are a team. THE team.
Today, you are SODIUM
Thoughts on Motivation [link]
Remember...When we're not training, someone is training to kick our butts!
Win Forever [link - posted before the 2008 State Championship game]
"Every Game Needs A Hero, Who Will It Be?"
Quotes [link]
Hard Work and Dedication [link]
Impressions [link]
Jimmy V [link]- Coach Valvano took a seemingly unknown NC State basketball program and in 1983 won the NCAA Tournament. This is Jimmy Valvano's 1993 ESPY Awards speech. "Never give up. Never EVER give up" He died later that year of cancer.
40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 minutes [link]
I guess what I'm really trying to get at here is simple, the time is now to elevate your game Sodium. You are coming off 2 impressive showings. A first place at BME and a second place finish at Nomads. You have to keep pushing yourselves. You can't let up. Yes, we have a relatively easy State Cup bracket, but what happens in round 2? What happens when we face LOSC? Or Keiser? Or OR Rush or FC? Are we going to be prepared? Are we going to ready to go to battle?
Push yourself, push your team, push your opponent. If you don't go out every practice and every game with the goal to get better, you'll get pushed out of the way.
We have watched you work, watched you sweat and watched you give it your best all year in preparation for State Cup. This is what you have sacrificed for. Commit to excellence Sodium. Commit everyday to get better. You have to put your 'Game face' on every game from here on out. You have to treat each game like you are the underdog and their is NO tomorrow. You will go to war against your opponent and show no mercy. "Trample the weak, hurdle the dead" was a great saying last year, and it holds true this year. You cannot let other teams think they can play at your level. Call it the killer instinct. You have go for the throat and NEVER let up! I've seem this team score 5-6-7 goals a game and more. You have to stride onto the field every game thinking you are going to do it again. And when you get up by a few goals, GO FOR ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! Remember the Mia Hamm saying about leaving a lasting impression? Lady warriors you have the talent, the skills and the heart to defeat any team in Oregon. You just gotta believe. You have to believe that if you work harder, sacrifice more, push yourself further that no other team will survive but Sodium.
Because when it comes down to it, you are the only team.
You are SODIUM
Kick'n it Sodium Style in San Diego!
The girls had a great time and played some great soccer in San Diego!
GO SODIUM!
After the Championship game with a very gracious Hawaii Leahi Team.
Everyday Tom, Nikki or a couple of parents would take the team on a walk/jog. The views were spectacular and the girls had a blast!
GO SODIUM!
After the Championship game with a very gracious Hawaii Leahi Team.
Everyday Tom, Nikki or a couple of parents would take the team on a walk/jog. The views were spectacular and the girls had a blast!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Black and the White
I'm going to touch on a few things coach Tom said over the past couple weeks and then move into other areas. After this post I may not be the most popular guy but hey; winning, commitment and dedication aren't popularity contests.
First, after the championship game at Nomads, Tom said he felt disappointed. More accurately, he addressed the team and said he felt disappointed 'for you'. From an old coach when someone says that, I interpreted it to mean that maybe you weren't disappointed enough, or at all. That maybe it didn't mean as much to individuals as it should. That maybe getting pounded in the championship by a team we could have beat earlier in the tournament and playing so poorly should have hurt a little more than it did. Should have p*!!ed some people off a little more than it did. I saw some players crying. I saw some on the brink of tears. Do you think it hurt those players to lose in such a fashion in such a big game. Do you think they took responsibility? You bet they did. What hurt the most was to see others walk off the field like it was just another game. Like they were wondering where they were going to eat before the flight home instead of wondering how we could have taken such a beating, why it happened and what we need to do to ensure it would never happen again. It hurt because I saw players give up. Something I never thought I would see from a Sodium team. Can each individual player look in the mirror after that game and honestly say the gave 100%? Honestly say they left everything on the field for the team? A very few can, most can not. Let me insert an example here. There was a little REC hoop team some of you may be familiar with. The team had several players who had never stepped on the court before. In there second game of the season they played a returning team that was supposed to win the league. At the end of the first quarter this little REC team was down by 14 points and things didn't look good. But let me ask you this; "Do you think this team ever, for ONE SECOND, gave up? Stopped fighting or thought they didn't have a chance win?" NO WAY! And do you know why? Because almost half this team was made up of SODIUM PLAYERS! That's why! They never gave up, they never stopped fighting and clawing their way back into the game. They not only went on to win this game, but the league championship. I didn't see that effort Monday.
First, after the championship game at Nomads, Tom said he felt disappointed. More accurately, he addressed the team and said he felt disappointed 'for you'. From an old coach when someone says that, I interpreted it to mean that maybe you weren't disappointed enough, or at all. That maybe it didn't mean as much to individuals as it should. That maybe getting pounded in the championship by a team we could have beat earlier in the tournament and playing so poorly should have hurt a little more than it did. Should have p*!!ed some people off a little more than it did. I saw some players crying. I saw some on the brink of tears. Do you think it hurt those players to lose in such a fashion in such a big game. Do you think they took responsibility? You bet they did. What hurt the most was to see others walk off the field like it was just another game. Like they were wondering where they were going to eat before the flight home instead of wondering how we could have taken such a beating, why it happened and what we need to do to ensure it would never happen again. It hurt because I saw players give up. Something I never thought I would see from a Sodium team. Can each individual player look in the mirror after that game and honestly say the gave 100%? Honestly say they left everything on the field for the team? A very few can, most can not. Let me insert an example here. There was a little REC hoop team some of you may be familiar with. The team had several players who had never stepped on the court before. In there second game of the season they played a returning team that was supposed to win the league. At the end of the first quarter this little REC team was down by 14 points and things didn't look good. But let me ask you this; "Do you think this team ever, for ONE SECOND, gave up? Stopped fighting or thought they didn't have a chance win?" NO WAY! And do you know why? Because almost half this team was made up of SODIUM PLAYERS! That's why! They never gave up, they never stopped fighting and clawing their way back into the game. They not only went on to win this game, but the league championship. I didn't see that effort Monday.
Secondly, after the embarrassing loss to FC Portland, Tom said that from here on out, from U13 onward, it's no longer about the name on the back of the jersey, but the logo on front. It's about the black and the white. It's about doing for the team, not the individual. It's about dedication and pushing yourself to be the best you can for the team. Do you think every player gave everything they had for the team Monday? Short answer: No.
Practice: You practice like you play. You give 100% at practice, you give 100% in the game. If you give lame excuses not to go to practice or not to give 100%, you'll look like it on the field. And believe me, from the coach to the fans, we can all tell.
Fitness: When I was trianing if someone told me we would have Navy Seals training us, I would have jumped out of my skin! Think of how much better condition we are going to be in than our competition! I bet no OTHER team has Navy Seals training them! Instead, I heard a lot of lame excuses not to go to fitness. "It's too hot", "It's too cold", "I don't feel good", "I have some sort of ache or pain" or the best ever: "I'm too tired". If I would have been Tom, I would have said; "Fine, stay home. And maybe stay home the next couple of games too". I am an old school coach I will admit but I rarely had players miss practice.
Game Time: The hours before a game is a time for reflection. To review all the things you've been taught. To review the opposition, their strengths and weaknesses. To review why you are here and what contribution you can make to the team to ensure victory. To realize the opposing teams only goal is to beat your butt and to get fired up about it!
Commitment and Dedication: Do you think Mia Hamm is committed to the sport and dedicated to her team? Do you think she goes the extra distance? Does more sit-ups than her team mates? Pushes herself to be first in drills? More push-ups than anyone else? Climbs the stairs faster, jumps higher and sweats a little more? She is committed. To herself, to be the best so she can play the best for her team. Each individual on Sodium needs to ask themselves, "Am I committed?" Am I dedicated and willing to put everything I am on the line when I take the field? Sodium teams in the past have answered "Yes", Can you? Can you commit to the Black and the White of Sodium? Dig deep ladies, the answer is within you. The old saying "A team is only as good as it's weakest player" has withstood the test of time. Don't be that player. Work harder to be better every day, every practice, every game. Remember "If it is to be, it's up to me"? Each individual being the best they can be for the better of the team.
The letters 'L' 'O' used to make this teams blood boil. What does it mean now? Are we already beat before we walk on the field? Why play if you aren't 100% committed? Why do that to your team? If your going to go out and give less than 100%, save us all the agony and just go home! I say this as a coach and player because I know what it takes to win. I know the sacrifices that need to be made. I know the level of dedication and hard work it takes. I coached 2 league championship teams and played on 3 State Championship teams and 5 league championship teams in 3 different sports! Best of all though, I have had the pleasure of witnessing back-to-back State Championships from THIS team! And selfishly, I know we can do more.
Every team from every bracket in State Cup is going to be gunning for you Sodium. Are you going to give some lesser team the chance to knock you out? Or are you going to refocus, recommit and rededicate yourselves back to the level you know you can achieve? I've seen the killer instinct in your eyes. Look at our defense giving up 0 goals in BME. Look at MAC scoring 3 goals in the semi-finals at Nomads and the team playing for the Championship. THAT is what I'm talking about. THAT is the Sodium we know. The look in Laura Camp's eyes when she is stutter stepping to a free kick from 25-yards. The look in Taylor's eyes when she stops a forward dead in her tracks and clears the ball. Eyes that say; "Is that all you got?" THAT is the Sodium we know.
Lady Warriors, will you truly be Back in Black or will it all just fade away...
The time is now to make that decision. { I'd hate to be the team that finds out! }
With pride and confidence, the Sodium faithful yell: GO SODIUM!
Lady Warriors, will you truly be Back in Black or will it all just fade away...
The time is now to make that decision. { I'd hate to be the team that finds out! }
With pride and confidence, the Sodium faithful yell: GO SODIUM!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Sodium, Sodium, where for art thou...?
For those of you that saw the game, I need not say more. For those who weren't in attendance, ask a player. Whether it was the star alignment or what, Sodium forgot to show up for the championship game and got pounded by Leahi 96 Premier 4-0 for the runner up position.
For those girls who left the field crying from frustration and disappointment, I tip my hat, for you left everthing on the field and deserved more. For those who gave up, who wouldn't finish or hustle or run to the ball, I will address this in a later post.
As for the experience I have to say 'Thanks' to the parents who joined us, the outstanding job the coaches did, to the Sodium team who showed us they HAVE what it takes to make it to the 'Big Show'. The Nomad tournament was a building block. We came in, we played well, and we left winners. No other Oregon team lasted this long. With the exception of one, no other team played better and deserved to be there. For that, lady warriors, you can hold your heads up and be proud of your accomplishment.
A heartfelt thanks go out to visiting players Bailey and Bethany Hall for accepting the invitation last minute and playing well with your old friends. Thanks for wearing the badge of Black you've come to know and love one more time. [even if the uniforms are a little smaller now!] Best of luck to you in the coming season with WCFC and I'm sure we'll see you on the field again. Remember, you've always got a spot on the roster and a place in our hearts.
Next up we have a road trip to Bend to play OR Rush, then on to State Cup.
We are proud of you Sodium, keep working hard, Lancaster is just down the road...
GO SODIUM!
For those girls who left the field crying from frustration and disappointment, I tip my hat, for you left everthing on the field and deserved more. For those who gave up, who wouldn't finish or hustle or run to the ball, I will address this in a later post.
As for the experience I have to say 'Thanks' to the parents who joined us, the outstanding job the coaches did, to the Sodium team who showed us they HAVE what it takes to make it to the 'Big Show'. The Nomad tournament was a building block. We came in, we played well, and we left winners. No other Oregon team lasted this long. With the exception of one, no other team played better and deserved to be there. For that, lady warriors, you can hold your heads up and be proud of your accomplishment.
A heartfelt thanks go out to visiting players Bailey and Bethany Hall for accepting the invitation last minute and playing well with your old friends. Thanks for wearing the badge of Black you've come to know and love one more time. [even if the uniforms are a little smaller now!] Best of luck to you in the coming season with WCFC and I'm sure we'll see you on the field again. Remember, you've always got a spot on the roster and a place in our hearts.
Next up we have a road trip to Bend to play OR Rush, then on to State Cup.
We are proud of you Sodium, keep working hard, Lancaster is just down the road...
GO SODIUM!
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