Swiss Lacrosse Part 3

Down.....Set....... *whistle*


The first faceoff was a clean win for us, not a bad way to start. We moved the ball down the field and got everything settled down by working the ball around the outside perimeter. There was a comfortable feeling already taking over, even after the first minute and the guys seemed excited to be playing and even more so to deploy their newly acquired skills that they had learned over the previous 1.5 months.

A few more passes, a pick here and there and the game started to open up for us in the offensive zone. A few guys had some early open looks, but nothing found the back of the net. The confidence at this point was building and you could feel it, I mean even the 30 or so fans that turned up were started to get a bit excited. You could tell that the guys had raised the bar and the expectations of the team were somehow nothing less than a victory for this game against Basel. I don't think the guys wanted to settle for less...

A few more changes of possession happened, our defense stood tall, and then finally after about 9 minutes of play there was a quick play from up top to a down low cutter by the crease and the ball flew past the goalie, top right, for a quick 1-0 score. There was a big celebration on the field as this team wasn't really known for it's scoring capabilities prior to this game. (3 or 4 goals total the entire season up to this point)

Herzogenbuchsee seemed to get a huge lift from that first goal and it never seemed to let up. The next faceoff was a clean win again, in fact I don't think Basel had won a single one the whole day? Today wasn't about Basel, it was about the Iroquois H'buchsee boys showing themselves that they were better than what the 2 previous years had shown, and the score quickly showed it. After one quarter it was 4-0 in favor of the Iroquois. That was equal to their entire years total with all the other games combined.

The next 2 quarters went by extremely fast with only a few penalties from each side creating the stoppages. I just kept telling the guys to keep giving it 110%, don't stop, every ball is ours and we were going to make sure we didn't give them a chance to get back into the game. Perhaps it was a bit much to tell them to keep putting them in the net, but the guys earned the right in my eyes to show what they could do, to show what they had learned.

9-2 after 3 quarters, the guys could feel the upper hand that they had at this point. All they had to do keep up the same intensity and hang on for one more quarter and they would have their first victory of their clubs existence. A pretty good feat for a group of guys that just thought this sport looked cool a couple years earlier and decided one day to buy some sticks...
The last quarter was a good one and hard fought, but it was obvious what the outcome was going to be as Basel slowly got out-hustled to the ground balls and in turn watch their chances to win the game slip away.

*whistle* game over... end score 14-2 in favor of the home team. Happy faces all around, hugs, handshakes and a job well done.

Finally I felt a big relief and deep breath find it's way out of my lungs. The first test was over, but it was just the beginning...
(To be continued)

Posted in: , , , , , , , , , , on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at at 1:06 PM  

5 comments:

  1. Unknown On September 11, 2009 at 11:04 AM Wrote

    Now that is a nice victory. Interested to see how this story develops. Keep telling it. :)

     
  2. Bamer On September 11, 2009 at 4:03 PM Wrote

    Haha, ok, I can keep going if you want me to. :) I was just trying my luck at a personal story on here about some guys and a sport they love. :) (Trying is the key word here.. lol)

     
  3. Unknown On September 11, 2009 at 11:25 PM Wrote

    Well keep trying! It's nice to see you write something a little differently, keeps the skills developing. :) And I can tell it's a sport you all love, there is passion in your story. :)

     
  4. Nicki Sunshine On September 14, 2009 at 6:10 PM Wrote

    I enjoyed reading this Bamer. ;)

     
  5. Unknown On September 21, 2009 at 6:14 PM Wrote

    I agree, it's a fantastic idea to expand on your writing techniques/skills.

    Also, was really neat to read that after having seen that game. On a side note or perhaps more of a combined comment for the 3 lacrosse entries, you have done a fantastic job at organizing, motivating and leading this team. You deserve much praise and thanks for your efforts and success, much of which you do not get, so let me give you some that is (over)due here, officially, written. Even if I'm not on the guys team. Lol. But I do mean it. You've put in a lot of effort with the guys and it shows.

    Thanks as well for helping out the girls when you have time. We really appreciate it as well.

    Coaching and leading are among your many strengths and it's nice to see a friend further develop their skills. Take these lessons and experiences with you; use them and better them throughout your life. It sounds as if I have over-complimented, but I think it is important to acknowledge the success and growth people around you have accomplished when they try something new. I am sure you are aware that you've made a difference to these boys, but perhaps you were unsure of how much or what this means for you.

    So to be clear, congratulations on a job phenomenally well done. :)

     

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