
2008 (17U) Girls State Premiership II
Top Teams Collide
The Game of the Week has FSC host Campton United for a battle between the top teams in the 2008 (17U) Girls State Premiership II division. This age group is made up of five teams where each team will play each other twice for a total of eight games. The two sides are within two points of each other, where Campton sits at nine points in three games and FSC trails by two points in second place with seven points. Third place is five points behind the top two and it really is beginning to feel that this confrontation in the Game of the Week can be decisive in who will sit atop of the division come November.
The Lombard side and hosts come into the division not having experience in the competition but they quickly are making a name for themselves. They have two wins and a draw thus far. They drew 0-0 again Inferno however, they have beat Tinley Park Bobcats 3-1 twice, a team that is coming up from the YSSL where they finished first in the A division. Sitting two points off the top, they know that a win will put them at the summit halfway through the season. Campton United is looking like the team to beat, a win at home will be great for momentum entering the last four games.
Campton United know that their visit to FSC will be against a tough adversary, one that is inches behind them in the standings where a slip up could cost them. The St. Charles natives are undefeated through three games, scoring a whopping eight goals in the three games and only getting scored on once. They have played the other three teams winning, 1-0 to Tinley Park, 3-1 to Rush and dominating Chicago Inferno, 4-0. Confidence is at an all time high now, but they know FSC might just be their toughest task yet. They will look to carry the performance into the weekend, where this game might just be a determining factor in who will be crowned Champions.
Coaches’ Pre-Game Interview
First verse second place, both undefeated. How important is getting a good result, getting your team to the top, and how that can bring momentum to the second half of the season?
Chris Brown – Campton United SC
Results are great, we strive to get a positive result every time we step on the field, but is not our main objective. What drives our momentum is the brand and style we play with as a club and team. It’s another opportunity for our players to challenge themselves and grow in their decision making.
Michael Williams – FSC
While a positive result is always welcome, it’s never our primary focus at FSC. The 08/09 Girls have had a strong start to the season with some excellent results, but more importantly, they’ve shown significant development over the past 12 months. They’ve consistently demonstrated their ability to implement our system of play, which is a key part of their development and growth. Heading into this weekend’s game, I have no doubt the girls are determined to win, but they also understand that we measure success through performance, not just results. For us, it’s about how well they handle these challenges while maintaining high levels of performance and implementing our practices into games. They recognize that development is a process, and games like those in the State Premiership are opportunities to improve.
At FSC, our High School program is dedicated to developing players for collegiate-level competition. We take greater pride in our players’ college signing days than in any specific game result. A big part of this is our ability to create a team, practice, and game-day environment that is conducive to this development. Competing in State Premiership competitions has been invaluable in providing the level of competition that accelerates this development and prepares them for their future.
So, while this weekend’s game is important for the team and the outcome will heavily influence the final standings, the result is secondary to our overall objective.
What is the conversation like before a game like this? What is communicated to the team to make sure they are mentally prepared and nerves can subside?
Chris Brown – Campton United SC
We talk about our pre-game objectives and to remind the group to play to our standard and create the tempo and rhythm that want to play at. Be confident in our decisions and enjoy the game.
Michael Williams – FSC
For us, it’s just another game and another opportunity to improve. The message to the players is and will always consistent: Can we earn the right to play the game, and can we then impose our style of play on the opposition? With obviously some specific tactical information delivered.
We aim to ease the pressure on the players by keeping everything familiar—whether it’s the arrival routine, warm-ups, or tactical instructions. There won’t be any major changes just for this game. It’s important to treat this match the same way we approach every other one, focusing on consistency and performance rather than allowing anything external to influence us.
What has been the reason for such a quick and successful start? What have you been most proud of when watching your side play?
Chris Brown – Campton United SC
Growth is the reason for the team’s success. Over the last few years they have been challenged to play in a lot of different environments to help the learn, grow and ultimately develop their skills individually and as a team. What makes me proud to watch them is their willingness to grow and learn, while creating an attractive brand of soccer to watch and enjoy from a fan/parent perspective.
Michael Williams – FSC
The signs of this team’s success have been building for a while. Like all of our High School teams, their success is the result of consistent energy, effort, and development, starting from our academy programs to U8, all the way through to High School. Most of our FSC players are local to the community, so it’s especially rewarding to see them progress through our program and compete against other quality sides. What makes me most proud is watching the girls develop in practice and seeing them implement our system of play successfully on game days. That’s a proud moment for any coach.
Final Thoughts
Both coaches show a great head on their shoulders. They know what this game will do to the standings but that is secondary, they really emphasize growth and development. We are lucky enough to have interviewed a lot of coaches that share the sentiment and it will be nice to see it play out yet again in our Game of the Week come Saturday, October 5th!