Season Ending Loss

This blog is my toughest one yet.  Some weeks ago and with 4 games to play in the A10 we had our chances to get back to the A10 tournament all in our own hands.  Today our season ended on senior day as we failed to beat LaSalle and make it into the top 8.  Despite getting 4 results, three of them being on the road, 2 ties and 2 wins wasn't enough and our home form wasn't enough to get us over the finishing line. 

After Fridays poor performance I could not have asked for a more committed and hard working display today and after going down to 10 men after a second yellow to Rannalli meant he was red carded, much to the disbelief of us all, we still looked like getting a goal.  For me, when you play well and lose it harder to accept.  We had our chances today but our goal scoring ability has left us these past few games and as we battled to the end it was a tough way to end the season and for our seniors their last collegiate game.  

Much was asked about the officials today and I cannot blame them and refused to get into a debate about them.  One thing I will say is anytime an official is getting talked about more than what was a great game of soccer disappoints me.  

A great crowd today pushed the players all the way through the game so a big thank you to our parents, fans and game day event staff for all their support.  Thanks also to my coaching staff who have been through this roller coaster ride with me and experienced all the highs and lows of the season.  

Despite improved performances in the A10 we came up just short but we're certainly moving in the right direction.  All our returning players will learn from this weekends games and use that experience to help the program continue to make strides in the right direction and get to a position where we are competing for A10 championships. 

 Lastly, a great big thank you to my seniors.  Abdul I have known and coached since he was about 12 years old so it'll be odd not to have him and his family around.  The rest of of guys I have known and watched develop into great people over the past 4 years and I hope they have enjoyed it as much as I did.  May I be the first to welcome them to being a GW soccer alum and you're all invited to play on my team next Fall in our alumni game. 

I will be continuing the blog throughout the Fall and Spring semesters but now on a weekly basis so keep reading every Friday moving forward. 

Raise High Moment of the Day

Our senior class, Ranalli, Hinners, Sandland, Shaban and Solorzano