Hard Fought Battle
Today was another good test for us as a team. Last night Ryan Bailey came down with a fever. We immediately went into isolation mode and separated Jeff Powers from Ryan. Hopefully, this bug does not run through the team. Ryan did not feel much better this morning and the team doctor recommended that we hold him out. She believes that he might have strep throat. Yikes…
During our pre game meeting today, I reminded the guys that in order for us to become champions we will have to overcome the obstacles that are placed in our way. I told them that many of the greatest moments in sports have been teams or individuals that have overcome great obstacles to win big games. I told them about one of my favorite examples of this. During the 80’s the Lakers were facing a game 7in the playoffs without their big center Kareem Abdul Jabar. He had sprained his ankle and was out. It did not look good for the Lakers who seemed to be overmatched without a big man. However, behind Magic Johnson the team rallied and overcame what seemed to be great odds to win the NBA Championship. It was pretty amazing.
At game time, Ryan came to me and said he wanted to give it a go and see what he could do to help the team. He started and actually scored the first goal of the game. Overall, we were definitely off a little today. We did not have the same intensity or energy. Perhaps it was Romania’s scrappy defense or maybe we were just off today but it was a battle. The Romanian’s took a 2 – 1 lead after the first quarter. We came back and scored the next two goals to go ahead 3 – 2 at the half. On the break, I reminded the team that even when the offense is struggling, we need to stay focused on our defense. Win every series on defense was our goal.
We came out with some good energy in the second half and scored the first goal to go ahead 4 – 2. Romania was not done as they fought back and scored two in a row to tie the score at 4. We battled back and forth and ultimately took control of the game down the stretch. Layne Beaubien had three goals for us today to lead the team and Tony Azevedo scored a big goal near the end to seal the win. Jesse Smith, Justin Johnson and Ryan Bailey also scored. We won 7 – 5 to advance first in our bracket and earn an extra day off. We will not play again until Tuesday, when we will match up with the winner of the Montenegro/Canada game. It will be nice having some down time both physically and mentally it will be a nice break. We will have a light training tomorrow and then get back to work focusing in on our game plan for Montenegro (the likely winner against Canada) on Tuesday.
I received a great compliment from Jesse Smith after the game today. He told me that in the past we have surely lost this type of game. We were off and struggling but we stayed together and battled for the win. He then said “Thanks for helping us to find that confidence in ourselves and win”. These are the rewards that make coaching so special. To be a part of these guys lives and to help them grow as a team and hopefully as individuals as we go through our journey together. As I have said before, I have grown from this experience too. It is incredible.
Tomorrow is exciting in that my family arrives. Sheridan has been very cute on the phone – screaming in excitement with the news of each victory. They are excited to come and support the team and of course take in the sites of Rome while they are here. Sheridan has also been asking about Merrill all the time. She is his biggest fan.
Rick's wife, Brenda and Ryan’s wife, Rebecca also arrive tomorrow. Merrill’s parents come in and perhaps a few others. Our family grows over here and hopefully we are ready to give them some excitement as we make a run to become World Champions. It certainly will not be easy but it can be done. Here is my quote for the day “Whether you think you can or you can’t you are probably right”. We believe that we can do this. Send all your positive thoughts our way. We are half way there. Three wins away from gold.
See you at the pool.
Coach
During our pre game meeting today, I reminded the guys that in order for us to become champions we will have to overcome the obstacles that are placed in our way. I told them that many of the greatest moments in sports have been teams or individuals that have overcome great obstacles to win big games. I told them about one of my favorite examples of this. During the 80’s the Lakers were facing a game 7in the playoffs without their big center Kareem Abdul Jabar. He had sprained his ankle and was out. It did not look good for the Lakers who seemed to be overmatched without a big man. However, behind Magic Johnson the team rallied and overcame what seemed to be great odds to win the NBA Championship. It was pretty amazing.
At game time, Ryan came to me and said he wanted to give it a go and see what he could do to help the team. He started and actually scored the first goal of the game. Overall, we were definitely off a little today. We did not have the same intensity or energy. Perhaps it was Romania’s scrappy defense or maybe we were just off today but it was a battle. The Romanian’s took a 2 – 1 lead after the first quarter. We came back and scored the next two goals to go ahead 3 – 2 at the half. On the break, I reminded the team that even when the offense is struggling, we need to stay focused on our defense. Win every series on defense was our goal.
We came out with some good energy in the second half and scored the first goal to go ahead 4 – 2. Romania was not done as they fought back and scored two in a row to tie the score at 4. We battled back and forth and ultimately took control of the game down the stretch. Layne Beaubien had three goals for us today to lead the team and Tony Azevedo scored a big goal near the end to seal the win. Jesse Smith, Justin Johnson and Ryan Bailey also scored. We won 7 – 5 to advance first in our bracket and earn an extra day off. We will not play again until Tuesday, when we will match up with the winner of the Montenegro/Canada game. It will be nice having some down time both physically and mentally it will be a nice break. We will have a light training tomorrow and then get back to work focusing in on our game plan for Montenegro (the likely winner against Canada) on Tuesday.
I received a great compliment from Jesse Smith after the game today. He told me that in the past we have surely lost this type of game. We were off and struggling but we stayed together and battled for the win. He then said “Thanks for helping us to find that confidence in ourselves and win”. These are the rewards that make coaching so special. To be a part of these guys lives and to help them grow as a team and hopefully as individuals as we go through our journey together. As I have said before, I have grown from this experience too. It is incredible.
Tomorrow is exciting in that my family arrives. Sheridan has been very cute on the phone – screaming in excitement with the news of each victory. They are excited to come and support the team and of course take in the sites of Rome while they are here. Sheridan has also been asking about Merrill all the time. She is his biggest fan.
Rick's wife, Brenda and Ryan’s wife, Rebecca also arrive tomorrow. Merrill’s parents come in and perhaps a few others. Our family grows over here and hopefully we are ready to give them some excitement as we make a run to become World Champions. It certainly will not be easy but it can be done. Here is my quote for the day “Whether you think you can or you can’t you are probably right”. We believe that we can do this. Send all your positive thoughts our way. We are half way there. Three wins away from gold.
See you at the pool.
Coach
posted by Dr. Terry Schroeder at
4:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home