32 replies to this topic

[Grace]

All I can say is let the coach, coach and be supportive of his/hers decisions..........Coach Rock has proved he is a winner and feels the decisions that he makes is for the benefit of the team because I know he loves to win. Like I mentioned earlier I didn't agree with all his decision making when my daughter played but I GRACE-fully supported him and the team.

[findlaytrojan]

the new league with LB, Riverdale and VB should be a competitive one for years to come. Any one of those three teams could win it from year to year.

Edited by findlaytrojan, 29 September 2010 - 08:11 AM.

[gamekeeper]

Grace in all your wisom, are wise as always. I do support the girls, and the program. I just don't think you can put La Rock as an elite coach, that was all I was stating.

I am curious about "the League" though. Are LB, VB, Riverdale in a league? I understand we are just part of a 4 team conference, with Cory Rawson. Are we trying to add more, and form an ACtual league, or we just like an independent?

[enigmatic1]

Grace in all your wisom, are wise as always. I do support the girls, and the program. I just don't think you can put La Rock as an elite coach, that was all I was stating.

I am curious about "the League" though. Are LB, VB, Riverdale in a league? I understand we are just part of a 4 team conference, with Cory Rawson. Are we trying to add more, and form an ACtual league, or we just like an independent?

Elite coach? Really? in high school girls soccer..."Elite"? Now before everyone (all two of you) freak out on me, I am a girls high school coach in my 5th year (boys for 5yrs previous) from northwest district. Also, I coach against coach la'loco (polite jab at his sideline antics) and respect what he's done at liberty benton. But the truth is there is NO elite girls high school coaches. some are better than others, but not elite. Programs can become elite with the right combination of coaching, player development & just plain numbers of girls avaialable. I know in my heart of hearts that i've gottin the most out of my 18-22 'farm girls' each and evey year. Our record might be .500 or just over and i don't play week teams...every year we play bryan, liberty benton, Kalida, several WBL teams, etc..etc. Seriously....put me in at St. Liberty of Findlay and without a doubt I'm obvisouly an "elite" coach.

Edited by enigmatic1, 29 September 2010 - 12:26 PM.

[gamekeeper]

Lol enignma, I wouldn't rip on you and yes you are right, I shouldn't have used the word elite.

[falconfan84]

One of your opponents, Riverdale, has an abundance of youth also. Although we do have some quality players that are seniors, I'd say that we will be reloading for the next three years instead of rebuilding. We have good talent in each of the grades, but I'd have to say that on the whole, the freshman class is the most talented group (for their age...they will only get better). We start (or play a great number of minutes with) 5 freshmen...including our goalie. Yes, L-B may be an elite program for some years to come, but it wouldn't surprise me if they are in Riverdale's shadow either. It should make for some very good games.

I would just like to comment on what Falconfan feels he has to continue making arguments for.... I am from Riverdale as well (Falcon Pride all the way) but one thing you obviously don't realize is that you do not have to get on a public forum to make a point about how great the freshman class is. They are good but they also have alot to learn and that will come with time and experience. While they are an exceptional class and will be easy to "season" they only make up a portion of a succesful team. You don't have to sell them to anyone.... let them prove themselves. Along with those freshman comes a great group of sophmores, juniors and seniors. You should praise them as a whole team because it takes an entire team to win a game, not just 5 girls. These are the types of things that create animosity on a team and everyone knows what that can do and has done in the very recent past. So while I am glad you are very proud of our school and a certain group of girls remember they have to play on a team that is comprised of more than just them.

heart_2_heart-
First of all, let me say that I agree with what you are saying, and I am sorry that I came across as only praising one grade level of girls. Nor did I mean to spout or brag about them on a public forum. I realize that there is much that they will learn and improve on in the future, and that learning will come from playing along with the talent that is ahead of them (namely the sophomores, juniors, and seniors)...and from what I hope is good, solid coaching. The last thing that I want is to create animosity among any of our teams' players.

Although I have made a similar comment or two about the strength of our freshmen on this and another soccer thread, I didn't realize that I was running anything into the ground, or that I feel that I have to "continue making arguments for"... Really, that was my first post on this particular thread, and ONLY in response to bumbleseue's remark that many of L-B's opponents were lead by strong senior classes, evidently giving Liberty-Benton some sort of a free ride to be the "elite program for years to come".

Yes, it is obvious that I am big on our freshmen, and I did mention that we, too, will lose some quality seniors...notably Vanessa Stewart. In an effort to keep my earlier post on the short side (something I am not too good at, and currently experiencing a bit of trouble with ), I did not give much credit to the other grade levels. I honestly feel that we have good, quality players at each grade level, but it you look at the bolded part of my quote, I am NOT saying that the freshmen are the BEST players on the team, but AS A GROUP, they make up the strongest entire class in our HS program...meaning more strong players to choose from in a given grade level. The fact that we have a class with so many solid players to build a team around for the next three seasons is something that I think our team and our fans can be a bit excited about. Every other grade has its own set of talented girls that will definitely contribute, but not to the extent that the freshmen do.

I just wanted to point out to bumbleseue that L-B isn't the only school around where their "strength lies in the next couple of classes". We hope to keep company with them also.

If I offended anyone on the team, or made it appear that the freshmen "carry this team on their shoulders", I am truly sorry. That is NOT what I am saying. They are not necessarily in the starring roles just yet, but are definitely in contributing roles. I just feel that any time a team can sport a competitive record against some good opponents (including state-ranked Ontario and Lake), it is a good thing. The fact that at any given time, almost half of the players on the field (5 out of the 11, including the crucial goalie position) are only in the 9th grade makes you feel fortunate that we can be competitive at all, given the competition...and gives you great hope for the next few years...that's all.

Edited by falconfan84, 08 October 2010 - 10:08 PM.

[Grace]

Now thats the type of posting I remember from the Falcon!


PS I have never ever mentioned the word "elite" but yes I have said very good!!

Give em the rock La rock!!

[falconfan84]

Didn't want to disappoint, Grace. Actually, I am trying to cut back on the typing so I don't develop carpal tunnel...unfortunately, I've already developed the reputation.

As for "elite", that was bumbleseue's word. For all I know, L-B may end up being the elite team in the area the next few years. But I'd like to think we will be challenging you guys for bragging rights. For as much as everyone loves to hate L-B, it gives the rest of us a challenge to compete at the same level. If mediocrity was the best we ever faced, we'd have a hard time getting better. It's good to have a school as successful as L-B in the area to schedule (...did I just say that??). I may not always be a fan of the Eagles, but I do respect the teams that they put on the playing field. For that reason, I hope that our two schools can have a healthy rivalry for years to come in soccer, and hopefully a few other sports also...Girls' Basketball and Girls' Track kinda comes to mind at the moment.

Edited by falconfan84, 30 September 2010 - 10:04 PM.

[gamekeeper]

The lady Eagles took one on the chin last night against a very solid St. Mary's team, and my hat goes off to Coach he did everything but suit up and go in and show them what he wanted them to do, and at one point I think he was really going to. It was 0-0 at half, and aside from a couple of missed played corner kicks, the game could have easily been 1-0 instead of 3 to nothing. Coach definitely couldn't seem to get anyone at front that seem to want to score. The Eagles now have Van Wert, Elida, and the a rematch with Van Buren which definitely will be a hard fought game.

[bumbleseue]

LB missed two great scoring chances last night. If either one of those are converted, or the goalie doesn't misplay those corners, we are in the game until the end. As the old saying goes, if 'ifs and buts were beer and nuts.....'

[Grace]

St.Marys has a real nice team so hopefully the LB girls don't hang their heads!!

[gamekeeper]

The Eagles snuck up on Elida a little bit last night. The girls went out and played hard from the start, and was able to hold onto 1-0 win. The Burkett girl was a stealing intercepting machine last night. She did a great job in keeping Elida from ever getting off a good shot, or soid run.
JV team also closed out their season last night going undefeated with a win as well. It was a good night to be an Eagle, not so good for Dogs.

[dkusma96]

My 2 cents...or maybe 3..

The Burkett girl is a stud. One of the best athletes I've seen this year. Big, strong, fast, sees the field, plays smart. She will be scary in 2 years if she's serious about soccer.

On the whole coaching thing...a monkey can coach a soccer team with studs on it. It's what how do without all those studs that illustrates a coaches mettle. Sounds like some are entering a 5 year coach into the hall of fame...They are 8-5-2 this year with some pretty good talent.