Bellevue vs Lake Washington 11-23-19

Bellevue 1-3 Lake Washington
 
The clock finally struck midnight on our Cinderellas. After one of the most extraordinary playoff runs in Bellevue girls soccer history, our footmen turned back into mice and our carriage into a pumpkin. We were so so close to a championship, but full credit to our rivals and Kingco sisters from Lake Washington. They played a no-non-sense, skilled, athletic and tough brand of soccer to earn their championship. Respect. But it hurts a bit because we know we can play with them (evidence being our previous three games); however, they were clearly the better team today. Congratulations LW. Well played.  
 
But I couldn't be more proud of our team. We never quit. Collectively, we gave everything we had in this playoff run. We used every field player available to us today, and everyone did their part to fight to the very last minute. We didn't roll over. We didn't capitulate. So although we didn't win, our heads should be held high. Our season ends with lots of positive memories, and the satisfaction of knowing that we played in the very last game in the 3A high school girls soccer season. We take our 2nd place trophy with humility (and the slightest grinding of teeth) and gain lots of valuable experience. 
 
To our seniors. I'll say my final words on Monday at the soccer banquet. But I will miss the class of 2020 dearly. They were freshmen when we won our 2016 championship, and as a class, they were a part of taking Bellevue to 3 Final Fours during their four years in the program, regardless of which team they were on during each playoff run. That's extraordinary. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to our program. You will be missed. 
 
And thank you to everyone who makes the program run smoothly, our booster board members, parent volunteers, coaches, trainers, team managers, bus drivers and administrators. A huge reason I love coaching high school soccer is for the sense of community that is unique to school-based sports. It's a vibe that can't be faked or forced, but it's a feeling that doesn't happen if dozens of volunteers don't provide the detailed (and mostly unglamorous) work behind the scenes. I see that. I see you all. And thank you.
 
Most importantly, thank you to the players who balance pre-season, daily practice, and two exhausting games per week while being good human beings who do their biology and calculus homework, volunteer hours, and every other demand placed on their busy schedules. Thank you.
 
See you all on Monday evening when we celebrate our players more formally at the end-of-season banquet.