We have had a great start, beating a nationally ranked team at their place on Sept. 1. Wheaton College has always had a great soccer program and for us to travel there, play under artificial lights, on synthetic turf,  in front of 500 hostile fans, and come out with a 3-1 road win was a terrific feeling. We then doubled our wins with a game against Alma College the following Saturday.

Then, things started to go wrong for us. We lost 1-0 against Elmhust and Chicago in games where we outplayed both schools, had the better chances to score but couldn't put the ball in the net. The loss against Rose-Hulman in between the other two games, proved to us that no matter how hard one plays, making mistakes and allowing the opponents to get too close to your goal always spells problems!

So we are, 2 - 3 for the first 5 games into the season.  We all know that it should be 5-0 but with the should, could, would... no one accomplishes much. 

We know that we have something this year. We know that hard work, team unity, resolve, and determination will eventually pay off as we still have 5 home games before we travel to Kenyon on Oct. 3.

We know that everything comes easier when things go well but we also know that the only way to turn things around is to believe in what you do and keep the faith.  Keep the faith in your application and desire. Keep the faith in your teammates. Believe in our journey and the understanding that rough waters need to be navigated with more ability, focus, and application. Keep the faith in your coaching staff and their pledge to make Wabash soccer something of which to be proud.

Believe in yourself because results are not what we are. Defeats don't define us; what will define us is how high we will rise after we have fallen.

Wabash Soccer Always Fights!

Posted by Roberto Giannini at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today was our team's first morning workout since the end of preseason.  I consider myself a morning person, but by no means do I enjoy waking up a touch after 6 a.m. to make a 6:30 workout.  I can easily understand why some of the non-morning people were less than thrilled when they strolled into the locker room at 6:20, particularly those with no morning classes (I imagine they normally would sleep in until around 10 or 11!).  However, once the workout began, all the grumbling subsided and the team focused on the workout.  The entire team was pushing each other through all the running exercises, which really reflects this year's team motto...Own it!  In past years, the morning workout regiment had never really developed to an adequate level (and in some cases, at all), but this year we have already seen the benefits of being the fitter team on the pitch.  We have been able to outwork and outhustle each of the teams we have played so far this year.  When other teams sub players because of fatigue, our team is still fresh, which is why we are able to play harder than our opponents, especially in the last 5-10 minutes of each half.  Enough of my long tangent; let's get back to the rest of my thoughts on the morning session.

Although the outside sky was still dark as night, the performance and effort by the team this morning was brilliant.  Even though everyone was finishing in the times set for by 'el capitan' Jon Funston, players were encouraging each other to make it to the line even faster.  If my teammates continue to keep pushing each other to become better, the wins will only start to pile up faster and feel more rewarding.

Christian "The Klank" Krenk '10

Posted by Roberto Giannini at 01:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)