09/19/2026
Would you look at that…
The sun has risen. The neighbor’s annoying rooster is screaming. I can smell the morning coffee downstairs…
And the world didn’t end because we lost a soccer game.
That’s the first time I’ve been able to say those words after a regular-season contest in two years.
Yesterday ended a span of 30 regular-season games without a loss for our Cardinals. That’s something every player who has been part of this program should be incredibly proud of.
We lost to a really well-coached, disciplined Campbell team that currently sits at the top of our division. Winning on the road in high school soccer is hard. Doing it against one of the top teams in your division is even harder.
It’s been a grueling early-season schedule — and that was intentional. I asked Doug for it.
We’ve already played the top three teams in our division, with plenty more challenges still ahead. It’s also the third time this young season that we’ve essentially played in a tournament-type environment, with difficult games stacked close together.
Those experiences will serve us well in late October.
Our kids have been tested regularly. We’ve met most of those challenges, and the temporary failures along the way will become part of tomorrow’s successes.
Monday and Tuesday will be defining moments for our team.
And I can’t think of a better group of kids to write this next chapter.
There is no glory in playing small.
There is no shame in failing to be perfect.
And our place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
Rest. Recover. Repeat.
Final from Litchfield
Campbell 1
Stevens 0