Sights, sounds from South Meck at Providence in regional championship soccer

It was a goal, but it felt like it was really far away. We had the talent, we had a lot to do, a lot to work on. We started non-conference play, it was challenging, but I think it set us up for success now because that's another great team we played there. Fantastic, they work hard. It's scary when they're going forward, but we kind of game plan to make sure we were gonna try to deal with it the best we can. It's been bend don't break mentality, and we were able to do that tonight. And I was proud of the guys, and we had been to the region final a few times since 2000, and that was a thing, we did it for us. We wanted to do it for those guys, and really just get back there. I mean, we wore the badge, but we used the FOUR cuz we're trying to add a fourth star to our logo, we really wanna go out and we're happy we're here, but the job's not done mentality is where we're at, so. Was there any difference this game for the first time you played them? Obviously, they won the first game. You said two good teams, what's kind of going on? Yeah, I think our styles match up well for us to play. I think they were able to play a little bit more than us. There were times where they pressed us really well, so made it challenging. Had to rely and be a little bit more direct in our play style. But I think we were able to kind of create some goals like we've been doing on some set pieces all year and Scored one early, that was huge, that early goal was really big. So I'm proud of how the boys came out in this moment cuz they've been here a few times, South Meck in the last ten years and we have it. And these guys really took that to heart that we have to start strong today and they did, and I think that helped. But as far as first time we played, this time we played, I think it was very similar games, we're both just a little bit more composed, a little bit more higher stakes now, and happy we got the result. Celtic Mac had quite a few striking opportunities at the end. How would your defense just stay composed and make sure you kept the two on? Well, so the biggest thing when they're coming at us is how can we delay them? How can we slow them down? How can we make them play side to side, keep them from breaking lines? Like I said, it's been don't break mentality with that group. They're so talented going forward and they got their young team as well, man. So it's kind of the next few years are gonna be very good. But that was the idea, and how do we defend as a unit? We're not just putting each other on islands, trying to defend 1v1. Cuz you could see them tonight, they were so creative in those 1v1 moments. The goal the kids scored was amazing. A little body faint, created a little bit of space, had a brilliant strike, you know, to kind of get them back in the game, and that was huge. But the idea was can we defend together, can we defend as a unit, can we go out and be gritty, you know, and I think that's kind of been our MO all year, so I think that's something we did well. And then one game left, how do you guys stay together before taking that off? I mean, we played these two teams, Hoggard and Apex Friendship. I do not know who won yet, and we played them both in Wilmington beginning of the season, and we knew they were both very good. And we told the boys we lost to Hoggard, and we tied Apex Friendship. And I told the boys, you know, we could possibly see them again if we do our job this year. And lo and behold, you know, they're playing tonight. We'll see who wins. But the boys are excited to compete against them. Appreciate it. Yeah.