Not all victories are on the scoreboard
Despite 2-0 home loss to Leander, Martin pleased with team’s play
Yoni Southwick pushes the ball past two Leander defenders during tonight’s 2-0 varsity loss to the Lions tonight at House Park. Photo by J. R. Cardenas.
January 12, 2018
Even before McCallum’s Jan. 9 game against Leander started, the varsity boys soccer team had already won.
It wasn’t a quantifiable victory but rather qualitative. Coach Martin would say after the game that the improved attitude and effort of his team was palpable.
Because the game was a non-district, the moral victory was at least as significant a the team’s 2-0 loss on the scoreboard.
The game was the perfect opportunity for both squads to get some much needed game experience and build team chemistry.
As the game progressed, both offenses found their footing by pushing the ball down the field several times before approaching the 20-minute mark of the first half.
Leander scored the first goal of the game with about 17 minutes left in the first half. The Knights continued their attack as the half came to a close, but they could not capitalize on their opportunities. Unfortunately for the home team, the visiting Lions got an unexpected goal right before halftime with about a minute left, sending the knights to halftime down 2-0.
During halftime, the boys held their spirits high even though the game temperatures were increasingly low.
The team came out swinging on offense to start the chilly second half. The Knights took shot after shot but just could not find the back of the net.
The Knights defense stiffened and held the Lions scoreless for the rest of the game, causing havoc to the Lions offence whenever a Leander player tried to move the ball up the field.
Despite the outcome, Coach Martin saw plenty of positive signs that his Knights have made tremendous strides in coming together as a team that will be ready for the district challenges that lay ahead.
The Knights hope to reverse their fortunes when they face Lehman tonight at Nelson.
![Knight ace Natalie Myrick pitched a great game in defeat, striking out 11, walking none and allowing zero earned runs and only four hits. Her teammate Lila Brotherton said she had command of all her pitches including an intimidating fastball. Natalie is an amazing pitcher and did a really good job at that game, Brotherton said. I’m not sure who is the faster pitcher [her or LASA starter Rose Harrelson], but it is definitely a close match.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Possible-Immersive-Softball-Photo-2-600x384.jpg)
Aidan Golliher • Jan 23, 2018 at 11:49 am
The article is great at sharing the thoughts of the coach as well as giving straight up facts about the game. The pictures also are very well taken and placed in the article.
Robert • Jan 22, 2018 at 4:30 pm
CHURROS!!!!
Reed • Jan 22, 2018 at 1:30 pm
This is a well done article, incorporating both the game and things taken out of the game. It could be nice to see more stats but it is really good the way it it. I feel like this story could’ve benefited with a real quote from the coach or one of the players.
Bryan • Jan 22, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Great article, very informing keep up the good work..
Graydon • Jan 19, 2018 at 2:39 pm
The fact that the article isn’t just about how a team won the game is nice. I think that the articles about the coaches critiquing their team provides excellent insight to how the team plays and also provides information about the game (like who scored when).
Wyeth Purkiss • Jan 19, 2018 at 2:15 pm
Love that the article isn’t necessarily about winning, but how when a team losses, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything negative, you can build off your mistakes and continue to try to be successful as possible. Would have liked to have more details about the positive signs the coach saw from the game, and what they are going to work on based off that. The story perspective was very good, and not about winning but what you can take from a regular loss.