Are We There Yet?

“Are we there yet? ” This is a question children love to ask on long road trips. Usually it’s accompanied by the standard follow-up question, “When are we going to be there?” So, we’re half-way through the girls soccer season at Cave Spring Middle School. The Squires are sitting on an impressive 6-1 record. And this question hangs in the air: Are we there yet?

The answer is both “yes” and “no”.

No. Of course we’re not there yet. With 7 games left to play, anything can happen. Ask me our record when the season is over. Only then will we know.

Yes. If by “there” you are asking whether Cave Spring is exceeding expectations, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” The Squires returned only 4 players from last year’s District Championship team. The roster includes only 3 girls currently playing travel soccer. Before the season started, no one would have predicted this team would notch 6 wins in their first 7 games. Yet, here they are. Outscoring their opponents 21 goals to 7. Tied for the District lead. On a pace to break several CSMS team records. Playing with great composure.

No. One only needs to look at the Squire’s shots-on-goal versus Read Mountain and Andrew Lewis to know they have a ways to go. Against everyone else Cave Spring has out-shot their opponents 80-13. Yes, I said 80-13. But in those two other games Cave Spring managed only 4 shots while allowing 26. The Squires will play both these teams again and have a chance to show exactly how far they have come since the last time they played.

Yes. Success is measured in more ways than just wins and losses. One measurement is working hard and improving. When it comes to improving their touch on the ball, making some “moves” or connecting passes, these girls have come a long ways. Another measure of success is teamwork. This team has definitely pulled together and has come to rely on each other to fill all the different roles necessary for success. Whether it’s relaxing while lying in a circle on the field, or forming a conga-line to the pregame music, you can sense this team is having fun. As a result, the whole is better than the sum of it’s parts.

When are we going to be there? How far the team goes, how well Cave Spring is able to duplicate their first half performance will depend on several things. We will “be there” when…

When we aren’t satisfied with how far we’ve come. We can be even better. So we will work for it – every practice and every game.
When we continue to do what we do best. Strong defense – aggressiveness – speed up top. When we do what we do, we can always play with confidence.
When we believe in ourselves and in each other. We never say “I can’t”, only “not yet, but I will”. We know all our team mates are important, so we support and encourage them every chance we get.
When we remain humble. No matter how well we do, we know we are far from perfect. The very best is the one who serves others and remains humble no matter how much success they achieve.

It’s been a great first half. Let’s keep going in this direction until we can finally say, “yes, we are there now”.