By Brad Smith – 7th Grade Math Teacher and Skinner Soccer Coach
The Skinner Scorpions Girls’ Soccer Team concluded an unprecedented, amazing season last Thursday in their quarterfinal matchup against Hill Middle School. With their Top 8 finish in DPS, the girls built upon the recognition they developed all season long for Skinner athletics with pride and sportsmanship.
The girls’ season began in late March with one major question being asked by Coach Smith, “How will we fill the gaps left by a strong group of 8th grade leaders from last year?” A mixture of unified 7th and 8th grade girls became the answer over the course of the season as they demonstrated dedication to their development and maintained fun as their priority. By working hard in the classroom and on the soccer field every week, the girls ensured their eligibility and encouraged one another to improve both academic and athletic skills.
The final game of the #3 Scorpions’ regular season provided the highlight of the year as they faced their rival, the #2 Lake Knights. The Scorpions entered the match determined to bring home a victory since the last time they had beaten Lake could not be remembered after many years of defeat (for both the Boys’ and Girls’ teams). Down 0-1 at halftime, the girls made up their minds that they would not be denied. With teamwork, heart, and intensity, the Scorpions fought back to score 2 amazing goals in the 2nd half and to finish the season with the 2-1 rivalry win and the #2 ranking in their conference.
With the Top 4 teams in each conference of 7 advancing to the postseason, the Scorpions clinched their spot in the playoffs for the second year in a row with their 4-3-1 record and their #2 conference ranking. Qualifying for the playoffs continues to transition from unfamiliar territory to an expectation for the Skinner Athletics Program due to the development achieved over the past 2 years.
For the 1st Round of the playoffs, the Scorpions were matched up against the favored Grant Ranch Grizzlies. As the underdog, the Skinner girls entered the match with the aim of advancing to the quarterfinals, a feat which had not been accomplished by any Skinner girls’ soccer team in the documented past. The game proved to be a thriller as a multitude of fans attended the match in the form of Skinner staff, students and parents. Looking like a completely different team than they were on the first day of practice a month earlier, the Scorpions carried an unexpected 2-1 lead into halftime after putting forth their best performance of the season in the first half. Capitalizing on a penalty kick early in the second half, the Skinner girls took a 3-1 lead and began to taste the feeling of playoff victory. However, the Grant Ranch Grizzlies fought hard with 2 late goals to tie the match with less than seven minutes remaining. Rather than panicking, the underdog Scorpions regained their intensity and momentum with 2 stunning goals to retake the lead and to win the game 5-3 as the crowd and their vuvuzela horns went “bananas.”
Upon arriving at the Quarterfinals against the #1 ranked, undefeated Hill Middle School, the Hill coach summarized the Scorpions’ season accomplishments best by saying, “Congratulations! I was surprised to see that you guys beat Grant Ranch in the 1st round. I never knew Skinner was good at sports. I’ve never seen Skinner this deep into the playoffs.” As the Hill coach and many others recognized over the course of the season, the 2011 Skinner Girls’ Soccer Team truly made a name for themselves and for Skinner as they earned their spot in the Top 8 and were given the chance to play on the North High School turf field in the quarterfinals! After holding a 1-0 lead for nearly twenty minutes in the first half, the Skinner girls ultimately lost to a much more experienced Hill squad. After the game, the Hill coach and team members paid the Skinner girls the most important compliment they could receive by stating, “You girls were the most fun team we have played all season! Thanks for your sportsmanship!”
The 2011 Skinner Girls’ Soccer team will truly be a group to remember! They set the tone for future Skinner athletes to follow in their footsteps of leadership and character! While Coach Smith will dearly miss the amazing group of 8th grade captains and leaders from this year, he looks forward to the continued growth of his developing soccer program at Skinner Middle School. He will continue coaching both the Boys’ squad next fall and the Girls’ squad next spring in his 3rd season with each team.
Coach Smith shared with his girls at the end of the season, “Girls, I’ve been playing soccer for 20 years now, and I’ve never had more fun than I did with you this season! You made a name for yourselves and for Skinner Soccer, and I couldn’t be more proud of you! Go Scorpions!”
