“We’ll probably keep the score low, but we’re not going to do
any winning.”
“The second choice is to pursue last year’s goal and that is to
try to score goals and try to win, that’s what I’ve already been
articulating to you,” Pappadakis said to the attentive varsity
players. “I don’t have time for a long, drawn-out discussion, I
need you to choose simply and honestly what it is you want to
do.”
“Who wants option A?” Pappadakis asked of his team. Nothing but
silence followed his proposition.
“How many of you want option B?” Pappadakis then questioned his
players. Every girl sitting on the grass in front of him raised her
hand.
“Don’t lie to me because I don’t lie to you,” Pappadakis replied
to the raised arms. “Any second thoughts?”
For the second time in this outdoor team meeting, nothing but
the sound of a cold wind blowing across the field resounded in the
coach’s ears. None of the soccer players even flinched when asked
to reconsider their decision.
Thus, the direction of the Woodland Park High School varsity
girls’ soccer team’s 2006 season was decided. The Panthers will
give their all to score goals, forgoing the chance to focus on
stopping opponents from scoring.
“If we don’t decide early, we’re never going to have the drive
to do it,” junior midfielder Erin Colton said of the team’s
decision to play aggressive soccer. “We all have the heart, we all
have the determination, we just need to put it together, get our
plays right so we can score some goals in the games.”
Colton believes coach Pappadakis is pointing the team in the
right direction on the field. She thinks the team will stay more
competitive with the aggressive style of play Pappadakis
teaches.
“I think coach P has the knowledge and the potential to get us
there,” Colton said. “We’re not going to win every game, but I
think our scores are going to be a lot closer and they’re going to
be a lot better games.”
After the team decided to play assertive soccer this season,
Pappadakis went over a new system with the players. Pappadakis is
inserting a 4-3-3 formation of players on the field.
“Instead of building on the 4-4-2 from last year, we’re going to
change it a bit,” Pappadakis said. “This system was bred out of
necessity because half of the varsity team didn’t
return.”
Although Pappadakis lost several varsity players, some of whom
he said decided to sit out for personal reasons, he is content with
the athletes who are playing. The varsity squad will feature 16
players, giving most of its members ample playing time this
year.
“You do what you have to do and the kids are flexible, they’re
very coachable,” Pappadakis said. “The depth isn’t there, so we
know they’re going to be going iron man all season long and they’re
willing to do it, they’re beautiful people.”