Home  News Latest 8/29: Manual 0, CAL 0
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Saturday morning at 3-ranked Manual was different from the start. During the warm-up, CAL's players looked tight, disciplined, and sharp. They resembled a squad of military men, preparing for battle. Their passes were crisp and their trapping was tight. Nobody expected CAL to come away with anything but a defeat that morning: Nobody, that is, except CAL's players, coaches, and hopeful fans. From the beginning, one could see a difference. Several people observed that it looked like a different team. One player remarked, "We had the magic."
In spite of Manual's all-state players and big-feel stadium, CAL had numerous chances to win, with 15 shots off-target and at least 4 decent shots on-frame. "The assistant coaches and I discussed alternative formations, but none of us ever suggested that we bunker back and just defend," remembered Coach Lucas. "In the end, we decided to ask the players to focus on that which we had practiced -- except we had to be first to the ball." AJ Benge had a wonderful rocket-of-a-volley from 20 yards out that almost scored in ESPN highlight-reel fashion. J.D. Hawkins had a marvelous little outside-of-the-foot flick that almost hit upper "V" far post. CAL had quick counter-attacks, first-time-hit shots... but in the end, Manual's defense stood strong and the score ended in a very sweet tie. "To have tied the 3rd-ranked team in the state shows our players have the potential to show up," observed Coach Lucas. "Now they just need to keep that fire." |
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