Girls Soccer
The high school girls' soccer team plays during the winter season. We focus on physical and skills development. But as the story from a soccer mom demonstrates, we also focus on character and moral development:
"I really need to tell you a great story about our soccer game today. Our first half was rough, the game was very physical, and we had several goals scored against us within the first 20 minutes. The other team was the most physical team our girls have encountered. Several of our players were knocked down. During half time, our girls voiced frustration to the coach about how physical the other team was. They felt it had gone beyond good sportsmanship and was devolving into dirty play, and they didn't want to take it anymore. Now it gets to the good part. Coach Pagel listened to the girls, acknowledged their frustration, and told them that it was okay to be frustrated as long as they used it to learn and to improve. He told them that he wanted them to have fun. But the most important thing he said was that the girls needed to play with the circumstances they had been given and remember their witness. I am paraphrasing, and the half time talk was so much more inspiring than I can convey.Coach Pagel inspired the girls to go out and play with everything they had, and still be proud of their behavior when they left the field. Our girls took the field in the second half with a whole new attitude. They played so well together. This was a real teaching moment. It was awesome to see that moment being seized by Coach Pagel, to watch him witness to the girls, and watch them receive it. What happened during that half time talk was a little about soccer and a lot about Christian character. Even though we lost the game, this was the best kind of victory for the Upland Christian Academy girls' varsity soccer team. I couldn't be happier with the outcome."
-Cheryl, 2010For the latest practice and game schedule, please go to www.highschoolsports.net.
For scores, statistics, and league standing, please go to http://www.maxpreps.com/state/california.htm.
