Region Tournament/Sectional, October 28 - November 1, 2008
Farragut/Bearden/Greeneville

Congratulations on winning our 4th Region title in 7 years. In my 12 years as the girls coach, that Regional final was a game I will forever remember. Our girls were awesome, physical and never played down or afraid of the Bulldogs. In my opinion, it was the state's top offense against the best defense. Something had to break. It is difficult to ask a team to play that style and knowing when to attack and how to attack. That is not what your typical American sport is all about. The girls played it out perfectly.

This week I will never forget, as it was the rise out of the Region of Death. Three tough opponents, three victories to get us in line for the shot against Greenville. It was no wonder that our girls had no legs and started a bit slow. Chris and I saw it in the warm-up and knew we might be in a little trouble if they scored first. But defensively, we got the job done and held them out until we were able to find the back of the net.

Before I offer further comments on the week, I want to address the obvious. Why has the staff gone to the bench so little? While it may seem to be a difficult question for parents and soccer fans, the coaching staff must make those decisions in the best interests of the team based on just a few areas. We did that with the boys and also made the girls aware that it would happen here.

Those decisions are made in part based on the following:

- Matchups: We look at each opponent and select not only the system of play, but also which individual matchup will serve us best. We have excellent players, but they are not equal, as such, playing time will not and cannot be equal when we get into postseason play. We look to get the perfect matchup right out of the chute. We cannot accept giving a game away early because we failed to get the right combination on the field. Girls psychologically can get into a game quicker, but also not find the means we are looking for early. Then you break it down by position. In some positions, we cannot have the luxury of waiting very long and giving many chances, while in other positions we can. That is a factor we sort through early.

- Hot players: At this time of the season, we have to ride the coat tails of the hot players when they are hot. That does not mean a reserve player can't get it done, it just means we cannot afford to give up those valuable minutes while that player may be trying.

- Strengths and Weakness: We have all season to study and improve. When we get to the post season that can vary from game to game, player to player. Sometimes we see a player struggling in her normal position because of a potential match-up, so we are able to move her someplace else and she can get back into her rhythm.

- Game situations: What are we trying to accomplish, where are we trying to go on the field, what type of speed of play and decision making does the game support, are we attacking zonal defenses etc. The list goes on and on.

Whatever happens in the matches, I ask only that you support your daughter in whatever role she has. She knows where she stands with the staff and her teammates and what the desired product needs to be. If we could, we would play all 21 each and every game, but unfortunately if that was the case, our season would have ended in the districts. Generally speaking, we ask for CPT input whenever we make major changes.

Back to the week, it was awesome. While I was disappointed in the 1st 20 minutes yesterday, I can only put that on two fronts. No legs from that strenuous regional final, which may have also contributed to the Bearden demise, as well as getting our players up for Greenville after what they had faced this past week. This is normal, and was my greatest fear. My hats off to the girls after our discussion and their recognition that Greenville was for real.

While it is difficult to find a hero this week, it was a pure team effort. It was hard work, determination and a passion to get back to the state. Now that we have achieved this goal, we must make the best of it no matter who we get. We are Oak Ridge, we are the best, as such, we must step to center stage and perform a day at a time like we never have. The great support we have gotten from the student body, our parents, and the school commands that we do well representing all of the key factors.

No matter what, this team has left its mark on Lady Wildcat Soccer. Thus far it has been a superb season. Even in the losses we have accepted that we have played very well and to the expectations of the coaching staff. Now we ask for one more three game effort to take us over the top and forever become a part of school history.

The coaching staff thanks each and every one of you for the hard work and support you have given to this program. Without each and every one of you, we would not be where we are. You are all awesome.

Go Cats

OJ and Chris

Game grade for the Week: A+ (now let's get ready to rumble)