Victory!

Coaching his first game today, this was a 17-year-old with a plan. His players had only one practice under their belts -- and that was late yesterday -- and they were neither in game shape yet, nor used to winning soccer games.

But, as they say, you could throw away the history books today. This didn't look like the same team that had won only six of its previous 43 games. The defense was terrific, and the midfielders and strikers kept getting to the ball first and punching the ball into the other team's zone.

When he saw they were bunching up too much during the scoreless first half, he told them to spread the field in the second. A few other adjustments and about fifteen minutes into the second half his team scored the first goal of the season.

That was all it would take.

After their 1-0 victory, the girls all high-fived their new coach, whom some of them have taken to calling Mister Coach Sir, with a smile.

It's just one game, of course, but this might be a pretty good story beginning here...

One other detail -- the player at right defense, his little sister, played with a sore ankle and a bad cold. And, she played her best game ever.

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