Cliché’s Maybe, But Done With Heart
As I drove a vanload of sleeping players, north on Route 12 towards home, I tried to compose ideas of how to describe the match we had just completed against Dublin School. I knew I could start off with the stereotypical weather intro – it was overcast and damp; the fog had only just cleared to reveal a gray afternoon – but for some reason several cliché’s kept forcing themselves menacingly to the forefront: it ain’t over till it’s over, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, it’s not over till the fat lady sings, and even, Win one for the Gipper! To say that this afternoon’s competition was one of blood, sweat, and tears, would be a vast understatement.
Earlier, on the trek down Main Street from Kimball Union’s campus, my mind reeled. Within the last twenty-four hours, we had learned that Andrew Shields, Senie Hunt, and Jin Kato were on the Disabled List, this made up 75% of our regular defensive line. Fortunately, we had an hour and forty-five minutes of winding asphalt to figure out how we would face an unknown opponent.
For the first forty minutes of the game, KUA dominated play for 80% of the time, but could not put a shot either on net or past the skillful Dublin keeper. In two breakaways, Dublin took advantage of our new defense and tapped one in from the post and shot another, unstoppable, high ball, over Marc Maggiore’s head. Tensions were high, both teams were frustrated; with an audible absence of whistle, the physical play intensified. At the end of the half, both teams possessed one yellow card.
At halftime, we regrouped, explained the obvious, and emphasized the need for fair play yet aggressive movement to the ball. We concluded with the usual: “have fun, and pretend this is practice.” With a readjustment to the back defensive line and new goaltender, we set off for the net. Thirty seconds in, PJ Tessier was toppled within the penalty box and our drive was thwarted; we waited for the whistle that never came. We pointed out the obvious and, without warning, were told we had a red card and one of our players had to be removed.
It is said that momentous moments are not realized at the time when they occur. This proved to be true yesterday on that hillside soccer pitch. What this referee accomplished with that call (and future ones against both teams) was to spark the kindling that fired up the boilers within the engines of those Wildcats. For the next 39 ½ minutes, Moses Toriola touched the ball only twice, and of those, half were shots on net. PJ Tessier, Alejandro Cereijo, Westin Loving, deftly passed the ball, moving it seamlessly up the field. Mike Robertello, Jun Lee, Josh Weiss, Qiyang Li, Martin and Marco Cheng were forces to recon with. Harry Beaupre’s blasts not only kept the ball out of our end, but almost put a direct kick in from half field. But it was the initial finesse shot of Jacob Troice who got the Wildcats on the board with 12 minutes into the half. Then ten minutes later, he drove a second in from thirty years out on a direct kick. Drive after drive was then deflected by Dublin.
With twelve minutes left, I took Miguel Vivancos out for a much need breather. He came to me and said, “Coach, give me five, and I will go in and score a goal.” I did that. At the one minute mark, I caught Miguel’s eye and showed him the time with my finger. He immediately stole the ball and let fly a long shot from the eighteen that went into the upper corner to seal the deal.
Each year Coach Custer and I marvel at the motley mix that makes up the Thirds team. They defy conventional wisdom; they are a riddle, a conundrum, an enigma. Although they haphazardly do drills, they often play harder in scrimmages than in games; they appear not to listen, then do just as asked; they play better with one man down than with a full squad. Yet, through their quirks, foibles, and general screwball antics they maintain a sense of pride about whom they are, and they hold forth the most admirable quality that can never be coached: Heart.
So, the match was, not over until the last second of the game; we took the challenge and stepped up our play; we all sang loudly with glee; and we made sure that we showed gratitude for those who look out for and care for us. Cliché’s? Sure, but the one thing that this team is definitely not, is a dime a dozen.
