Coach's Report - Game 7

I've just awakened from a long afternoon nap that somehow stretched into late evening. After the adrenaline rush that was this week, my body suddenly realized how sleep-deprived I'd become. We lost today, but that didn't prevent my dreams from being filled with so many pleasant sensations of what we'd accomplished along the way.
Our game was held at the main stadium field of BK Hacken, one of the professional clubs in Gothenburg and main hosts to the Gothia Cup. It was a unique atmosphere to say the least. A huge pitch, finely manicured and surrounded by a running track, dressing rooms and the club's fitness and training center. There were covered stands on either side of the field, the corrugated roofs providing acoustic magnification for the persistent chanting provided by both sets of fans. Yes, the girls have acquired a their own base of travelling fans, primarily composed of a London Boys team they have befriended at their school.
There is not much to say about the game itself. It seemed to play itself out as if predetermined. Whether because of sheer fatigue, or because we were perhaps too satisfied with how far we had come, Bergen's Best of New Jersey found us very flat, and were only too happy to take advantage of the opportunity we offered. We seemed able to muster an effort only when near the ball, but off the ball we were slow to react and hesitant to get involved. Bergen scored on three well taken drives, two coming off misplaced clearances and another only after a slip by Emily White while defending in the box. Jordan made several great saves to give us some chance, but we never really generated much of a threat offensively. Bergen were deserving winners, and now have advanced to tomorrow's finals, where we hope to cheer them on to victory at the Ullevi.
The girls obviously have been fantastic, and are determined to do well again next week. After 7 games in 5 days, the next few days off will be welcome. They got in some shopping and a visit to the Liseberg amusement park today, and are looking forward to their ferry ride to Denmark tomorrow. They have matured and become much closer as a team. They understand better than ever before how much needs to be sacrificed individually, how the interests of their teammates has to be prioritized ahead of their own, in order to achieve as a group. They are eager for challenges, because they now know it is the only way to measure how far they have come, and because they now know they can eventually overcome whatever they must face as long as they combine their stengths in the effort. The results from this week have been great. A trophy or a medal would have been really nice. But these lessons will last much longer and serve them much better no matter what they choose to do in life.
On behalf of the team, please accept our profound gratitude for the chance you've given us to show our best on this international stage, and for the support that has been palpable here while we've competed. These girls have become wonderful ambassadors for you, for our club and for our country. That, in fact, has been their finest accomplishment. Thank you for making it possible.

LISC 0 Bergen's Best 3

Shots: LISC 4 Bergen's Best 13
Shots on target: LISC 2 Bergen's Best 8