To say that Longwood's men's and women's soccer teams have come painfully close to victories this season is an understatement. Last Saturday, the men's team tied in-state rival James Madison 3-3 in double-overtime. The Lancers held a one goal lead with under ten minutes to play in regulation, but the Dukes powered through and scored what would ultimately be the game-tying goal. One day later on Sunday afternoon, the women's soccer team battled in-state foe George Mason to a 2-2 draw, again in double-overtime. The GMU game marked the fifth-straight overtime game for the women. It was their sixth overtime contest in eight games this year.
The women's team has a record of 2-3-3. Many of the six losses and ties have come after one or two overtime periods. The Lancers are simply having trouble converting goals and closing the deal. Now, I'm no expert on the game of soccer. Until just recently, I had never really tried to understand how the game is played competitively. That all changed when I started going to men's and women's games here at Longwood. I saw how much effort and stamina goes into being able to play soccer at a competitive level. I've also seen, especially in the last several weeks, just how frustrating it can be for players and coaches alike to have to deal with overtime periods. For Longwood, these overtime periods can be likened to a little black raincloud that seems to follow them everywhere. I guess you could also liken multiple overtimes to a headache that just won't go away. It can also be compared to using multiple comparisons in back-to-back sentences. It just gets monotonous.
Now, when overtime happens once in a blue moon, it is exciting, intense and thrilling. When it occurs every game, it is all of those things plus nerve-racking, hectic and stressful. I've seen the looks on the faces of Longwood's soccer coaches during overtime. The only way I can describe it is an "oh, boy, not again" look. I give the coaches and players credit, however. Not once have I seen them give in or give up during an overtime period. The women's and men's teams alike have shown determination and vigor when faced with extra time. Now, the trick is to start winning in extra time or avoid it altogether.
I have all the confidence in the world in our soccer coaching staffs. I have confidence in our men and women who go on the field and compete every week. It is time to start closing out games and putting some wins in the "W" column. Believe me, from what I have seen and heard over the past four weeks, no one knows this better than the teams themselves. They have enough overtime experience after four weeks of competition that they can draw upon it to motivate themselves for the games ahead. That's what the coaches have told me; overtime wins, losses and ties are learning tools. They are perfect character building exercises to utilize as the season progresses. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. As I said before, Longwood's soccer teams know that they have to do a little something different to avoid the same result.
Here's to the men's and women's soccer teams for playing with grit and perseverance during this tough stretch. I salute you all. Here's also to coaches Dyer, Brdarski, Atkinson, de Souza and Herlan for not having to worry about overtime the rest of this season. Honestly, they have already lost enough hair over this (this is not directed at you, Coach Dyer. I kid because I care). I hope you readers join me in a prayer to the soccer gods that the rest of the seasons are as regulation time-oriented as possible.
