Varsity Soccer Captain Says Farewell

The following was taken, with permission, from the Facebook page of Boys Varsity Soccer team captain Michael Lind

The game ended, along with a season. The faces on the players' faces read shock, disappointment, and heartbreak. Along with some feeling of anger and fury, the boys could not help to feel anything more than unlucky, a word that seemed to be with the team the entire season.

Playing on Halloween was the mission and goal set by the Boys' Varsity Soccer Team from the beginning of the season. Making it to the semi-finals, playing at Mitchell Field, is all the team, especially the seniors, could talk about. All season long, the team had been constantly challenged, with numerous ties in the last minute,and with two hard fought victories against Mineola and Great Neck North, the team was extremely battle tested. Everyone knew, however, that playoffs are an entire new season though, and it's win or go home. After beating Valley Stream North 1-0 in the opening round of the playoffs in OT, all that stood in front of the team's goal was Roslyn, a team that had tied and beat Garden City in the regular season.

The days leading up to the game were full of excitement, anxiety, and confidence. The team knew they were good enough to win, and even had a slight mental advantage, playing with revenge on their minds for two games decided in the final minutes in favor of Roslyn. Practices went well, and even with the movement of the game to a day later, the players' felt ready to perform.

The chances were there. Excluding the first few minutes of the game, where Roslyn had a couple offensive strikes, Garden City controlled the play of the game. Defense allowed few through balls, and the mid-field kept position for the majority of the time. However, the two teams went into half-time tied at zero, with the momentum favoring G.C.

The second half led to more opportunities for G.C., but none seemed to be able to find the back of the net. Roslyn, with less than ten minutes to go, kept good pressure in their offensive half, causing the G.C. defense trouble in clearly the ball. Off of a throw in, the ball bounced half-way across the field, to the top of the 18-yard box. A Roslyn player, playing the half-volley perfectly, buried a perfect shot into the upper right corner of net, passed Garden City's goalie. Garden City tried frantically to get a goal in the remaining few minutes, but couldn't achieve any good chances. Before they knew it, the season was over. Roslyn cleared the ball out of bounds, and the clock ran out. Roslyn's players celebrated as the Garden City players fell, stunned and disappointed, to the ground.

It was hard, for the seniors of the team, to end their final season so abruptly. Every player gave it everything they could, but sometimes things tend not to go your way. Leaving the field was a mere impossible task any senior wanted to do, wishing nothing but to have another chance to play again on that very field. Their dreams cut short, all they could do was think of the better times of the season, which had gone so fast. It felt like only last week that we were coming home from our final summer league playoff game, or that first day of try-outs (where I was actually late). From Maz quotes, Dominic's, I-Hop, haircuts, bus rides, pasta parties, Phil's retarded speeches, too things you would never think would be missed, such as perimeters, warm-ups, and Saturday fitness practices, the season had many memorable times. Everyone contributed in someway, even if they played or not. Friends or not, everyone on the team came together (for the most part, sooner or later) to try to accomplish the goal of winning and putting together a fun and unforgettable season.

As my last report on the team as being captain, I would like to say thank you to everyone that has help me and the team this season in anyway. The coaches, especially Maz and Cutter, the players, managers, parents, family members, and, of course, fans, were all huge parts of any success that was reached this season. I know personally, and I'm sure all the other seniors would agree, that this season will never be forgotten. And as the 2009 teams prepares for its season in less than a year, I wish them luck in achieving all they can. And to all the seniors, thanks for being good teammates, and even better friends, and for making my senior year better than I could have hoped. Thank you.

--Capt. Michael Lind

P.S.-G.C. STATES 08