There was a much better feeling on the sidelines the last 2 games. Even though we lost against Olympus I can't get a talk out of my mind by John Wooden that I recently heard. He talks about the difference between winning and succeeding - listen here - Being successful isn't necessarily about winning all the time, it's about giving your best effort in every minute of every game. When I was watching the game film against Olympus, it's hard to tell that we were down a man for 75 minutes. We had some mental composure mistakes, but they were few and far between. We played well as a team and we'll get them next time.

Player of the Game:
Aaron Conrad - his big wins in the middle and distribution kept the ball in the front third most of the game.

Sometimes not getting the result we want helps us step up to the next challenge. We went down early (like almost every game this year) but that didn't phase us against Mountain View. Our nerves got us again and I think every player at one point or another got pulled because of them. Our first goal from Drew happened when a couple starters were on the bench. 80% of high school soccer is hustle and when we started to hustle and want this game it became apparent that we would win the game.

There is a funny video online of some dude dancing in the middle of a park, all by himself. He really is enjoying himself and many people are watching but nobody is really joining in. This doesn't phase him. Soon another guy joins him and then invites his friends, within 30 seconds half the people in the park are dancing with the renegade lone dancer. This is exactly what hustle did for us against Mountain View. After sitting Parker down and telling him if he goes back in he needs to make a difference, he went in and started hustling - winning tackles, talking, making passes, etc. Then, Aaron starting upping his game, then Ben, Griffon, etc. and before you knew it we were up 2-1 after going down a goal early. The opposite is also true, if he went in, didn't hustle, didn't talk, etc. Aaron would think, why am I trying so hard?

When I was teaching marketing to college students there was something I always talked about when running a marketing department (or any department or playing on a team) if you want to see lasting change you need to inspire vs criticize. If you want someone to make the right pass, you need to make the right pass, you want to see your forwards score, put one in the net, defense needs to mark better, don't lose your mark - model the behavior you want to see and encourage others to do the same - lecturing/criticizing might help in the moment, but the change won't stick. Although lecturing is much safer if you are 33 years old and try to jump in the drills only to get injured.

I knew you guys could do it!

Player of the Game:
Griffon Bodine - goal and assist, hustled and really wanted it this game. Although Parker, Ben, Drew and Elijah definitely deserve honorable mentions.

Goal of the Year (so far):
BYU Ben from a perfect pass from Griffon. Stegel and his backheel is somewhere in the mix as well ;)

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnwooden402561.html#ip3W3AwX8shYpc1A.99

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_wooden.html#X841EcJTGo1GdJ5t.99

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_wooden.html#X841EcJTGo1GdJ5t.99