Peebles vs. Worthington Christian -- REGIONAL SEMI

[EHSoccer]

I expected people to have a little fun with my statement. It wasn't meant out of any disrespect, it was simply an observation that over the years I have noticed this attitude amongst many/most SE teams that winning districts was their sole goal and was "good enough". My experience in life and sports for that matter is that you often get what you aim for. Aim low and you'll achieve low. How about a little ambition?

You all have permission to tell me that I'm wrong, I'm sure that you will, but I think my statement was an interesting one and fair one based on my 13 years of observations competing against a variety of schools in the SE district in D3. I can think of only 1 school that I would describe as consistently "ambitious". I would add as well that I don't think the East district schools have any inherent advantages over the SE schools yet have consistently fared better.

Wish it were that simple but its not. Two different soccer worlds exist right now. Draw a line from Cincinnati to the NE Ohio and see how many state champion teams come from the top half. It will change and is changing but takes time. Getting some coaches with soccer "know how" around and that will help the soccer evolve. The optimistic "aim high" to achieve is great, but there also has to be a since of being realistic. If all it took was "aiming high" I would have been a heck of a striker for Manchester United. (dream sequence...I can see me now) Also,very hard for small schools with football programs to excell in soccer too. Smaller schools only have so many athletes.

Listen, I know exactly what you are saying. The East district schools are all on the wrong side of the Cinci-NE Ohio line too and yet have done consistently better. (Interesting that no one has ever won a state title in soccer outside the urban areas of Cincy/Dayton/Columbus/Akron/Cleveland except Cardinal Mooney from Youngstown and one of the Catholic schools from Toledo) Ambition will only take you so far, but it's the essential starting point. A defeatist attitude will get you defeat every time. I'd just like to see some teams in SE Ohio step up... it will be good for everyone in the SE and E if a few more schools do.

[cobbtown]

Good Luck Peebles!!!!!!!

Represent the SHL.

[socman]

Good luck from Waverly!!

[FlatBack4REAL]

Another factor involved is the Conference strength of some leagues. Not knocking the SOC, but there are certain teams that haven't taken the next step of the game. Every year, some teams are locked into 2, 4, or 6 games that aren't challenging or high pressure situations. These games don't help come tournament time. It is getting better though, we're just still behind.

[tigerSTRIPEZzz]

Another factor involved is the Conference strength of some leagues. Not knocking the SOC, but there are certain teams that haven't taken the next step of the game. Every year, some teams are locked into 2, 4, or 6 games that aren't challenging or high pressure situations. These games don't help come tournament time. It is getting better though, we're just still behind.

I agree 100%! We're in the exact same boat. We would just be better off in a different conference.

[EHSoccer]

Another factor involved is the Conference strength of some leagues. Not knocking the SOC, but there are certain teams that haven't taken the next step of the game. Every year, some teams are locked into 2, 4, or 6 games that aren't challenging or high pressure situations. These games don't help come tournament time. It is getting better though, we're just still behind.

Absolutely. This is the first thing that must be changed for SE teams. Lobby your ADs to get rid of the double round robin in league play. Play league teams only 1 time. This gives greater flexibility in scheduling. Then use your out of league games to try and upgrade your schedule. You gotta be willing to lose a few possibly and you gotta be willing to travel.

[B1OHIO]

I agree, problem is mere mention of increasing travel budget to make this happen will get you a quick reply from most AD's.

[Bigbadwolf]

I agree, problem is mere mention of increasing travel budget to make this happen will get you a quick reply from most AD's. Double headers may work though.

Double headers? This is Soccer B1, not baseball. Wow!

[tigerSTRIPEZzz]

B1 you are a moron! 160 minutes of soccer in one day? Please tell me you were joking.

[TribeManiac10]

About an hour till the start of the game. Good luck guys!

[rxburgfan]

Where is it being played this year?

[TribeManiac10]

Where is it being played this year?

Bloom Carroll High School.

[juanmorales]

Good season Peables!!

[TribeManiac10]

Heard it was 7-0 WC. Good season Peebles guys. Worthington has been to state every year since 2003 and has won multiple titles. No shame in losing this one.

[OSH]

Sorry, but I was not shocked in this result. Worthington Christian has a nice program. Nothing to hang the head over.

[EHSoccer]

I see he removed the doubleheader part from his original comment. It's actually a good idea for saving money....

Doubleheaders... boys/girls on same night at same field. Travel together. Only works early in the season or at a field with lights and can't be a JV game either. I've seen boy/girl doubleheaders becoming more popular in some parts of Ohio now though. Our baseball/softball teams travel now to all league games together to save money.

[OSH]

I see he removed the doubleheader part from his original comment. It's actually a good idea for saving money....

Doubleheaders... boys/girls on same night at same field. Travel together. Only works early in the season or at a field with lights and can't be a JV game either. I've seen boy/girl doubleheaders becoming more popular in some parts of Ohio now though. Our baseball/softball teams travel now to all league games together to save money.

It happens all the time in college.

Makes sense, of course. It just sucks to have to wait around as the second team. It also makes lights mandatory -- almost -- as you hinted at. Either that, or you leave school early to play games.

[wch125]

We have been doing that here at Washington CH now for few years with all of our league games.

[Tripleplay]

Congrats to Peebles on a good season. I think many people had Worthington Christian picked to win this game, but I don't think it mattered who was playing WC. Most would have picked them. Again, good season to Peebles! Be proud of your accomplishments!!!

[FlatBack4REAL]

Great season Peebles. Worthington Christian is a very good team. It's an accomplishment in itself, for a SE team to play WC in tourneys. Now we'll see if the Hiland Hawks can give them a run for the money.