At the start of the season I was appointed as captain by my head coach, Mr. Turner, and I took on the role with grace and respect. I knew how badly I wanted our team to make OSC history, after having been on the team for the past 4 years, so it was important that the girls were just as determined. In order to insinuate the necessary energy in the them to fight and train harder, Mr. Turner and myself gave them pep talk expressing the realities of SAISA. Though it wasn’t nearly as effective as the real time SAISA nerves, it got them excited enough to plan plays and discuss partnerships. The season was one heck of a ride to say the least through which each of us developed in different ways as players. In my opinion, the most beautiful aspect of our team would have to be fact that there is not one star player who carries the team, rather it is a collective effort — we were a team, a family. Not many teams at the SAISA tournament could say that and it made us stand out.

There are no words that could express how proud I am of the girls and their determination to bring it all home at the SAISA Girls Soccer tournament in Muscat, Oman. It all commenced Wednesday February 19th at 5:30 am when we all met at front porch at school to embark on the journey, we all had expectations for ourselves, but we had no idea as to what would be the faith of our team. I knew it, I could feel it, that this was our year. After a flight that was five hours too long we were in Muscat, walking off the plane I knew this was it, it was now or never. After a day at the mall and a few hours getting acquainted with our host families before we knew it the tournament was just around the corner. The next morning we woke up put on our kits, tied our hair, listened to hype music and set out to The American International School of Muscat (TAISM).

We started the tournament with the first game and we were set to play the home team. Anxious would be an understatement, I was overwhelmed, but it was important I kept my cool to reassure the girls that we had what it took to win this game. It was tough having the crowd cheer every time a girl in a red jersey got the ball, but with time you learn to focus on yourself, to block it out and make it all white noise. Although the first game did not go as planned that did not stop us from getting back onto the field for our next game. We were then set to play KAS who we beat 5-0 during mid day, we were quite drained from our intense and nerve wrecking first game. After a mediocre first day I debriefed the girls to look after their bodies by eating healthy foods, stretching and taping up where it hurts. It was important to get them to mentally prepare for the games of the next day by planning plays and  visualizing what they should be doing. In essence, getting them to think like an athlete.

The next day despite our bodies being stiff with pain and our legs hurting from the day before we geared up and did a team de-brief before our first game of the day. Alongside the help of Ms. Fleming I led a visualization circle for the team prior to our ACS, American Community School of Jordan, game to get the girls comfortable with themselves, the pitch and their positions. Soon after we were on the field and the game began, unfortunately ACS scored in the first 2 minutes of the game due to a break in our play. Walking back to the center of the field to reset the game I kept telling the girls to remain calm as the fear of losing would end up in a mess. I was not worried considering the fact that we had a 57 minutes of the game left. After being thrown off our game from their goal we continued to play poorly in the first half, frustrated Turner told us get it together and to stop playing like headless chickens. There was method behind the madness, he was right, why were we doubting ourselves — we are winners. Running back onto the field after his speech during half time, we were fired up, we wanted it then more than ever. After a rushed first few minutes in the last ten minutes of the game we score two goals. Although this game was merely part of the group stage, we needed to win to be a threat to the other teams especially when we play the team that determines if we qualify to semi finals. With a 45 minute break before our next game we were all consuming fruits, sugar and gatorades as fast as we could to refuel our bodies. Our last game of the day was against ASB, American School of Bombay, but after our win against ACS I knew the girls had it in them to pull through. Minutes before the game I gave the team a speech to calm and excite the girls by reminding them the stakes of this game to emphasize the importance for them put in their 110% for every second of the game. I had no doubt in them. After a solid fight and a great game of passing, 1,2 plays, switching and crossing we own 3-0. That was it, we had won our ticket to the semi finals!

After waking the next morning 30 minutes early to practice some mindfulness to evade myself of my nerves prior the important semi final game, I was ready to play and to lead my team to the finals. There was a feeling in my bones, an inexplicable gut feeling that told me that we were going to the finals. This resulted in my calm attitude walking into the school the morning of the last day of the tournament. Maybe it is caused I believed in the team, maybe it is cause I knew we were winners, I just had a strong feeling, a warm feeling that I trusted. Thankfully we had the morning off to watch the other teams play and to mentally prepare for the game even more. But before we knew it we were lining up to shake hands to start the game against AISD (American International School of Dhaka), we were in the exact same position last year I did not want us to repeat history, rather to change it and come out as the winners we are. Every girl was fighting for the ball, sprinting faster, tackling harder. I had never seen more grit in these girls than I did during that game. Although we kept winning the races and running to shoot, none, I mean none of our shots were going in. We were getting frustrated either they were too wide, too high, too slow, too hard or too center. Something had to change and we knew it. After 60 tiring minutes of this we were to go overtime to play 30 extra minutes. During this period of rest in between, I knew the girls were getting antsy, I was myself. To avoid them from getting to themselves, I had to tell to the girls to trust their kicks, trust their skills, play the plays we practiced and to take the shots. There was not room for doubt. I asked them if they wanted the win, if so they had to push the mental barrier and begin to play a game they’ve haven’t played yet. Within the first 10 minutes of over time the most beautiful play of the tournament occurred I received the ball and passed to Becca who did a 1,2 with Ritisha who then crossed to Anna who then took the ball up and shot the ball into the back of the net. That was it, that was the goal that made history that took us into the finals. After another 20 minutes of us playing and taking the game slowly the ref blew the whistle. Victory. We were in the finals, THE FINALS. I had achieved everything I had set for myself: I lead the girls to finals.

This was it, it was our big break. Emotional is not the word I would use, rather pride and awe. A group of girls who loved to play soccer came together at the start of the season, trained to be winners, and became winners. Anything is possible if you truly want it and I mean anything. Although our bodies were exhausted from the 90 minute game we had played earlier that morning, the adrenaline from the immense TAISM crowd provided us with energy to run races and win them. As we lined up to walk onto the field, staring at the crowd ahead of me I was speechless by our performance that got us this far in the tournament. The best two teams were set to play each other, it was the game to see even if you aren’t really a soccer fanatic. The minute the ref blew the whistle we got the ball and played our hearts out. Within the first 30 minutes we were up 2-0 after two amazing goals from Lizzie and Devanaga. I did not feel right, our plays were off and we were playing booting the ball down the field and not soccer. We had to switch on, block out the crowd and play soccer. It was hard with the pressure. It did get to us, which is why they ended up scoring 2 goals in the next half to get both teams tied. Two minutes before the game ended the striker from the other team, with one of the best kicks I had ever seen, shot the ball which curved and went into the top corner. Goal, the ref blew the whistle twice. That was it TAISM had just won the SAISA tournament. Gutted by the victory that slipped through our fingers, many of us broke down into tears including myself. It was emotional as I was so proud of how far we had come, I was upset considering it was my last SAISA and I knew we deserved to win since we had what it took.

Second might not be first, but it is not all that bad. During practices we would work on improving ball control, crossing, passing and team work, and it all came into play during the three day tournament. Our girls soccer team played soccer like we had never before, everything clicked over the course of the tournament. Although I was disappointed by our loss at the final there are no word that could describe how incredible that tournament was for me. When I was kneeling in front of the crowd with the team to pose for the second place picture, I was holding the trophy feeling an immense amount of gratitude for my coaches. Ms. Fleming was the rock I needed who believed and pushed us to be the best we could be. Mr. Turner, I do not know where to begin. When he was my teacher throughout MYP PHE I remember him telling us how the way to win in any sport is to use space and communicate. Those words stuck to me the most during this tournament, although I used to think he was just blabbering teacher madness he was right those are the secret ingredients to not just victory, but that create a winning team. I would not be half the athlete I am today if it weren’t for him and his tactical coaching. There is a part of me that will always be grateful for all he has done for not only me, but our team. Moving on from this chapter of my life I will cherish every single moment even during those moments sitting in a lecture hall trying to listen to my professor go on about a concept I don’t quite understand. The season maybe over, but I will find reasons to play the sport I love and every time I kick a ball I’ll think of my team, my girls.

A video made by Giulia summarizing the season:

The author’s speech for the celebration assembly about the team: