Soccer Preseason Summary

Preseason Game 1/2 vs. Deland.1

Tuesday, we (Deltona High School Wolves) had a game against the Deland Bulldogs - our arch rivals. We had this new guy Zack as our goalkeeper, so I was really nervous! I'm a defender, so trust with the goalie is vital. Unfortunately, I didn't have it...so I wasn't distraught when I found out I wasn't starting (which was weird, because I always start whenever Varsity scrimmages JV in some practices). Anyway, the whistle blew for the kick-off. I had a gut feeling that Zack was going to screw up, honestly. I didn't understand why Nate wasn't the GK. Well, within the first fifteen minutes, Deland scored two goals. That's when Coach Ian decided to take Zack out and put Nate in goal. I was very relieved. Shortly after, I was put in as the left defender (contrary to playing right defense during the practices). The change made me nervous, because I had to readjust my mental picture of the game and who was in what places at what times - I had to rework my mindset. It was a different perception and I wasn't confident in my chemistry with the players on that side of the field at all. The first half was a success despite several moments of miscommunication between Alex and I. We fixed that after brief discussions in between plays though.2

By halftime it was 2-0. During the halftime pep talk, Coach Ian made it a point to compliment me in front of everyone. It meant a lot to me. He said, "Tyler has been doing a great job of nullifying Deland's offense. When I put him in, did you notice how the game shifted from the left side to the right side? It was because he - and Garret - shielded them away from there."3

The second half went very well. Unfortunately, Ernesto (one of the Deland forwards) chipped the ball over Garret's head and they got a break away. I simply wasn't fast enough to catch up to Ernesto before he shot and scored. I didn't feel bad about it though, because Ernesto wasn't my man to guard. Then again, I know if I would have been paying more attention, I could have prevented it. I always do when I notice these things before it happens. Yeah, it was definitely frustrating, I'm not even going to lie.4

Even though we technically lost 3-0, in my opinion, I look at it more as a 1-0 loss since that was the score with our true goalkeeper.5

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Practice.7

I decided to be extra aggressive that day. I was confused about why I didn't start, so I was determined to step up my game. Garret (he plays center defense) pulled me aside and told me that he wants me as a starter. He said, "Steven just kicks the ball up and doesn't know how to pass, but you - on the other hand - actually know what to do with it when you're under pressure. That's when you kick the ball up, but when you can, at least you know how to pass it. Steven doesn't and I don't like him starting when you're not." That was an even greater incentive to step up. I was so aggressive that I actually took out Jose on accident. Coach Ian joked, "Tyler ate raw meat last night. You better watch out! He came out of nowhere like a freakin' animal and took the ball away and Jose. You a bit hungry there, Tyler?" 8

Overall, it was a solid practice for me. I was exhausted though, so it was a relief when Coach Ian said that he wanted us to rest all day Thursday and that there'd be no practice.9

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Preseason Game 2/2 vs. Mainland11

I was surprised about two things. One: Zack was the starting GK again. That made me extremely nervous, but I suppose Ian knew what he was doing, so my faith in Zack calmed me down a bit (And he actually ended up communicating a hell of a lot better with the defense). Two: I was the starting left defender again (And I actually prefer this position). I was psyched! It was my first Varsity game as a starter! All of that hard work certainly paid off. 12

What's even better? Not only did I take it up another notch - a notch higher than what I did at Wednesday's practice, but....we kicked Mainland's asses 8-0! We sent them home on their own field, haha.13

Wow. So my first game as a Varsity starter wasn't only a victory, but an 8-0 landslide too. I'm definitely looking forward to how Monday's game (the first game of the main season) against Seabreeze will go. 14

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