Having
joined WISL in 1999, it's taken 15 tough seasons
to finally reach the number one objective that La
Tocadita had when it entered the league: Make it
to the Premier League. The Head Coach and Assistant
Coach made a brilliant decision prior to the Spring
Saphire season. They realized that successful teams
are usually ones that have a combination of youth
and experience. This combination has proven critical
during the last two seasons and have resulted in
two consecutive championships (last season at Saphire
and this season in First). Youth and speed was added
to the forward position (Juan, TK and John) to complement
the experience (Charly). Hector was added to the
midfield to give us that all around hustler that
was needed. Experience was added to the defense
(Alex and Auggie). The result has been nothing short
of miraculous (Highest scoring team and best defense
in the division having only allowed 4 goals in 8
games). There is no doubt, this team has the oldest
defense in the entire league. Knowing that this
defense does not have the speed to cover the other
forwards, the team played a tactically brilliant
season. Defense always played with the opposing
forwards in front and the midfield always came back
to help. Midfield also played their part to help
create the goals by playing some fantastic through
balls to the forwards that left them in many one-on-one
chances. Finally, for the few chances that the defense
and midfield permitted, we knew we could count on
some great saves from Pat. It's too bad that he
had the best game in our only loss of the season.
Now we move to Premier where the
difference (I'm told) is that every other team is
in great shape and runs non-stop for 90 minutes.
No time to take the winter off. Let's stay in shape.
We also have the Terrill Cup coming up but, at least
for me, this is secondary and just for fun. We've
won the championship and that's all we set out to
do.
Special mention to Auggie who has
now become the only player to have won division
titles with 3 different Toca teams (Toca Classic,
Toca and Toca Over 30) and has done it while staying
very quiet on the field. |
