Bellevue vs Seattle Prep 11-13-21

(#5) Bellevue 1-1 (#13) Seattle Prep (2-4 Shootout)
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4th min Nova (Alex)
80+3 min Prep equalizer
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Our quarter-final game against Seattle Prep couldn't have started much better. We put the Panthers under pressure from the opening whistle and it took us only 4 minutes to score after Kate found Alex on the left wing, a simple cut inside and a ferocious shot that deflected to Nova who skillfully cushioned the rebound and volleyed into the net. And for the next 15 minutes, it looked like we would likely get more as we did an excellent job maintaining possession and switching play; however, Prep is a tough and resilient team with quality all over the field as befits a program that has qualified for 20 of the last 21 State tournaments. They fought back. And once momentum shifted, we just couldn't get it back. If not for a series of breath-taking saves from Amirah, the game would've been tied well before the eventual goal that sent the game into overtime. But it is especially cruel that the equalizer came in the last seconds of three minutes of added time at the end of the game. Almost impossible to concede any later. And after re-watching it on video, it was a fine goal. A perfect corner hit to the far post to Prep's best player, who was marked well by our defenders, but she rose highest to get her head on ball and direct it goalward. 
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Two five minutes of overtime were predictably a stalemate, as such short duration makes developing any rhythm or tactical shifts almost impossible. So we moved to the shootout. Our sport's very dramatic way to break ties in tournaments. I'm proud of every player who made the walk to the PK spot. Every player was up for it, every player was eager for the challenge. And it takes courage to be in that role for your team.  So despite the fact that it didn't go our way in the quarterfinal, I couldn't be prouder of our girls. The sad sting of losing is real, I feel it deeply, but my overall pride in how this team has conducted themselves over the past three months is overflowing.
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So I end my season of overly detailed recaps with three of my favorite quotes. The first is the soccer-specific reminder that what we do is "is the most important, of the least important, things of the world."  Losing a quarterfinal is painful, but painful in context.  
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Next, the quote from Timothy Keller that I shared after our first game against MI, "Don't let success go to your head, and don't let failure go to your heart."  
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And finally, from author Neil Gaiman, a bit of advice that goes way way beyond playing high school sports, "Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes." 
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We will gather again one last time at our end-of-season banquet on Monday evening, November 22nd. Our booster club will email banquet details and final tasks as we collect equipment/uniforms, share a meal together, and celebrate our soccer-seniors one last time. And finally, thank you to the Bellevue girls soccer community for your support throughout the season. There were countless acts of volunteerism that made the season possible, from pizza nights, team dinners, videography, shelter construction, parka washing, senior night planning and so much more. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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