LJ b soccer: Redux

By Ed Piper

I have two observations from La Jolla's 1-0 win in the second round of the CIF Division 4 playoffs in boys soccer Sat., Feb. 27, besides the majestic osprey, with his large wingspan, soaring over the field at the start of the game.

First, after Viking Jack Barone knocked in the lone goal just before halftime, I was reminded how success brings a relaxation from tenseness. When the players came to the sideline, they were whooping, hollering, joking with each other. This was in direct contrast to the controlled, possibly tight, demeanor they exhibited only a short time before.

When we experience a good result, we naturally loosen all our muscles and our mind is freed to think, plan, create. At least that's what I thought I saw happening among the La Jolla players, a dynamic which I and all other sports observers have seen happen many times before.

The Viking players' confidence soared, as the bird had 40 minutes earlier. Going into the second half against Crawford, now leading instead of struggling in a no-score tie, La Jolla would be a formidable foe.

Isn't it ironic that we naturally relax after achieving a step forward, when in reality we would benefit if we could let tension go during the adversity? That's what all performers work toward--in sports it's now called "slowing things down".

My second observation has to do with soccer (and some other sports): Once the Vikings went into the lead, they were now faced with the fact they didn't want to lose that lead in the second 40-minute period. I didn't observe them being tentative or hesitant in the second half. But--since goals are so rare in soccer, and an opponent can easily knock in a goal when you least expect it, even when you're playing solid defense--La Jolla couldn't afford to allow a tie, then go into an overtime in which anything could happen.

So, as the second half progressed and the minutes were ticking down, the Viking players were actually playing to avoid losing, as opposed to attacking to win. In trying to score another goal, you can use up valuable resources and suffer a counterattack, giving up an avoidable goal.

As I sat at the end of benches on the Mission Bay High field (where La Jolla had the home game, since Edwards Stadium is all torn up) away from the LJHS players, with my camera propped up, the coaches paced back and forth, barking out commands, propping up players, conferring on what defensive player to send in to use the limited substitutions wisely.

Assistant coach Victor Zendejas, who is always quite vocal, told defender Alejandro Romano, who he calls "Ali", "Animales, diles que hablen y griten" ("Get them [his fellow defenders] fired up, tell them to talk and get loud"). Head coach Marcos Gonzales is much more subdued outwardly.

The energy released at the end of the game, the victory secure 1-0, came from all the focus on not allowing a tying goal, as well as the celebration of the win. La Jolla hasn't gone into the third round of the playoffs in a while.

The Vikings play Serra in the semifinals Wed., March 2. They have the higher seed, so it will be another home game, most likely at Mission Bay again.

Since teams are placed in the playoffs by power rankings, one reward for La Jolla's lower performance in the last few years is placement in Division 4, which allows the Vikings more opportunities for success.