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Recent Results: Fri Feb 19/10 3:00pm: Boca Raton - Mandarin - Fri Feb 12/10 6:00pm: Lake Mary 1 Mandarin 2 Tue Feb 9/10 7:00pm: Fletcher 1 Mandarin 3 Thu Feb 4/10 6:00pm: Seabreeze 0 Mandarin 3 Fri Jan 29/10 7:00pm: Fletcher 1 Mandarin 3 Wed Jan 27/10 TBA: Sandalwood 0 Mandarin 8

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1st Letter - Before district Final against Fletcher

 

From: keganjdsoccer@aim.com [mailto:keganjdsoccer@aim.com]

Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 1:29 AM

To: Gordon, Donald [GCG-NAOT]; jcool42@bellsouth.net

Subject: Please print and give to the boys before the game

Dear Mandarin Soccer Player,

I know your season has had its ups and downs, as does every season. The whole point of these challenges were to prepare you all for this point. It was all training for this. For you seniors, do you know realize how fast it comes to an end? The best part of this moment is that it does not have to end. You guys can go as far as you want to, it is up to the TEAM. For those of you who traveled with us to Flagler (still love how they compared us to bees on honey in their article) and Lyman (those bunnies), how much fun were those trips?. They were a darn good time and something I'm going to brag to anyone who asks and even those who don't ask. I look back and always have a smile on my face knowing I was part of the team , a team that had each other's back . As a team you must work together and trust each other if you want to get further (which I believe you have the potential for). Remember how hard we worked to get the name Mandarin back in the spotlight in the soccer world ?  The lunges, the field work, weight lifting, car washes, long practices, screaming and pushing by the coaches, all of that. Before last season I don't think we were on the charts. Screw the stats. Its all about you guys, and no statistic can change that. On any given day you guys can beat any team, but if you get careless you can also lose to anyone (as I'm sure you have learned throughout the season). As cliché as it sounds, always have fun. Love the game. Do not step on the field if you do not get Goosebumps when you think about the win, about how you are going to wreck them, and how you are going to show them how to really play soccer. Play for  for Mandarin, for yourselves,  your friends and family but most importantly play for each other because you will never be able to  it  again.

- 2008-2009 Mandarin Varsity Soccer Player

give em heck

p.s. do we have any better warm up music yet? that stuff was terrible last year...

  

 

2nd Letter  - Before Seabreeze Game

 

 

Dear Mandarin High Varsity Soccer Player,

 

Nervous? I sure as heck was. To be honest I was completely terrified. But the moment you step out on the field, it all goes away. All you feel is the desire to kick that other team’s butt. Everyone reading this has done all the work to get to this position: district champs. You learned how to win. You won districts. You should be proud. But now comes the true tests. Its time to refocus on the task at hand. Keep in mind the other team is in the same position that you are. They are in the hunt just like you guys. They are going to do everything they can to win. Every team will be good from here on. That’s a given. Every game you will have to give it your all. It’s your desire to win that will overcome the other team. Remember, a game is 90 minutes long. Last game you were down and yet continue to fight and won. Good stuff. Continue playing like that and things will go your way. Who really wants it? Go out there and show them you want it more.

 

One more message I have, especially for you younger guys, is to cherish this. Cherish this season’s accomplishments, but especially cherish the older players. When I was a sophomore on varsity, I remember how good the seniors were and how crazy it was to see them go. It was one of the highlights of my soccer career to be on the same field as some of those guys. This is your last chance to take full advantage of that feeling. Many of you will never get to play with someone as good as these seniors (don’t let it get to your head Vega). Some of you experienced this last year when Brett left, I know he was the best player I called a teammate.

 

Just remember, its all gravy from here on. (kinda like extra credit) I have a challenge for this team. Win Regional. Get further than we did. You are good enough, no question. I will heed you, take each game one at a time. Never look too far ahead, and definitely don’t take your opponent for granted, I don’t care if you’re playing Ed White. Egos will lose games. Teamwork will win them.

 

Do work.

 

Good luck guys,

Kegan

 

PS - I’m getting my butt kicked in Intramural over here. I’m playing with a bunch of scrubs. Win for me so I can feel better about myself.

 

3rd Letter      - Before Lake Mary game

First off, I didn’t write you guys a letter last game for two reasons: 1) Calculus and Physics combined is challenging and time-consuming. 2) You were playing Fletcher, and I figured you have enough rivalry with them to step up.

        So I personally am stoked that you guys made it this far. There were a lot of doubters (or haters) but you all proved them wrong. I was in this same position last year. This was the highlight of my soccer career. Just saying, “Yea, I was part of Mandarin. Top 8 sucka!” makes my day (and trust me you will meet kids that would have heard about you. My roommate is from Lyman. It’s awkward). The only thing that would be sweeter than saying you were in the Elite 8, is to say you were Regional Champs. I don’t know about you, but that sounds sexy as heck to me. I get chills thinking about it.

        I can’t make the game because I had this date saved for almost half a year to help raise money for children that don’t have enough money to pay for their healthcare. If it wasn’t for the kids you know you’d see my face in the stands with a air horn and a drum with my jersey on going crazy!

        This game at hand is enormous, you don’t need me to tell you that. This game would mark the furthest that any Mandarin team has gotten. Think about all the things that got you guys here. Teamwork. Communication. Listening to Cooley even when he’s in one of his moods. Pride. Heart. If you have the last two, all the others will fall into place (maybe not listening to Cooley. That took me a few years). Once again, do not underestimate this team. Remember they are in the Top 8 because they are good.

        You will see people at this game that you never think would be there. It’s going to be an awesome atmosphere. Feed off of that. You guys have the advantage of being home ( minus the sick bus ride… and bus breaking down after losing… but were not talking about last year).

        This game is big. No doubt. But what’s even more important is that everyone knows that last year was not a fluke. Everyone knows to fear and respect Mandarin Soccer. Thanks to you guys, you have helped set the bar this high for everyone that comes after you. The name you leave after you do is what is most important. After all of you leave, what will people say about Mandarin? Will you be proud to say you were a mustang? I know I’m dang proud to be a mustang because of you guys. Keep the tradition going.

        One thing that I have learned from being in college is that anything is possible. I have stayed up for 48 hours straight. I have passed classes I had no business passing. I have done the impossible. What allowed me to do this things is my desire to achieve. I must sound like a broken record, but each of you must find that desire deep down in you. Visualize you scoring, breaking someone’s ankle, winning a header. Visualize you guys taking that picture for the newspaper holding up the trophy that says “Mandarin High Soccer - Regional Champs”. If you visualize it and fight for it, it will be yours.

        Look at the faces around you. You will never forget them.

Go Mustangs,

Kegan 

Mandarin	2/13/2010 Region Final	Lake Mary		Mandarin	2/19/2010 State Semi	Boca Raton
2	Goals	1		0	Goals	0
19	Shots	9		0	Shots	0
5	Saves	8		0	Saves	0
4	Corners	3		0	Corners	0
7	Offsides	1		0	Offsides	0

Mandarin	2/4/2010 Region Qtr	Seabreeze		Mandarin	2/9/2010 Region Semi	Fletcher
3	Goals	0		3	Goals	1
27	Shots	2		0	Shots	0
0	Saves	7		0	Saves	0
13	Corners	1		0	Corners	0
6	Offsides	0		0	Offsides	0

Mandarin	1/27/2010 District Semi	Sandalwood		Mandarin	1/29/2010 District Final	Fletcher
8	Goals	0		3	Goals	1
20	Shots	0		14	Shots	4
0	Saves	13		3	Saves	1
2	Corners	0		5	Corners	6
0	Offsides	0		5	Offsides	0

Mandarin	1/13/2010	Tallahassee Leon		Mandarin	1/14/2010	Creekside
3	Goals	2		3	Goals	0
16	Shots	4		10	Shots	4
1	Saves	11		4	Saves	4
3	Corners	3		4	Corners	1
4	Offsides	2		2	Offsides	0

Mandarin	1/8/2010	Fletcher		Mandarin	1/11/2010	Episcopal
0	Goals	1		1	Goals	0
8	Shots	10		9	Shots	4
4	Saves	5		3	Saves	4
2	Corners	6		1	Corners	1
1	Offsides	1		2	Offsides	2

Mandarin	1/5/2010	Paxon		Mandarin	1/7/2010	Stanton
9	Goals	0		2	Goals	0
27	Shots	0		16	Shots	5
0	Saves	9		0	Saves	7
3	Corners	0		3	Corners	0
2	Offsides	0		7	Offsides	0

 

 

Questions:

Contact Coach Cooley or Coach Gordon