Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Goal Post by Brian Dooley
11/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 6, 2002
Expect the Unexpected
There is always something that you don't expect. I didn't expect to loose my hair. I didn't expect to gain weight. I didn't expect that I would actually have to pay a mortgage every month. I certainly didn't expect to coach long enough to win 100 games as a head coach. Our last win of the season brought that number to reality. It also clinched a share of the regular season championship for the A-Sun Conference. It also reminded me of the great student-athletes I have had the pleasure to coach. It also makes you thankful of all the coaches that I have worked with over the years. I don't think we realize the impact we can have on the development of our players. My classroom is the soccer field and the lessons I teach are as important as what they will learn in their science class.
We finished our season at 14-4 and 10-1 in conference. We have won eight straight games and are heading into the conference tournament playing well. I didn't expect the next word. Injuries. We are hurting. It is the end of a long season and it has taken its toll on our team. We hope that everyone will be ready to play, but reality says that we will have to be without a couple of our players. I am sure that those who are called upon will be up to the challenge. We talk about being ready for your opportunity because you never know when it shows. The players are waiting for their chance and now it is here.
The kids are going to their advisors for classes for the Spring. They are working hard to catch up in their classes and at the same time picking classes for next term. It wears on the student-athletes. We sometimes forget the stresses that these kids deal with. It would be nice if someone could wave a magic wand and make everything perfect. I wouldn't expect that to happen.
We will play the winner of the Samford vs Jacksonville game. Both of these teams will pose a difficult test for us. Samford is fast and furious. They are just waiting to break out on someone. Jacksonville is a well coached team that has dangerous players everywhere. This game will certainly be our most difficult of the year. The other bracket poses difficult tests as well. Jacksonville State will play Georgia State with the winner taking on UCF. The games will be played at Campbell University in North Carolina. It is expected to be cold. Our Florida blood will have to thicken soon.
We leave today for the tournament. The team is excited and it should be challenging weekend. It will be cold and the competition will be fierce. Having said that, I can't wait for tomorrow.
