As the NAIA's No. 1-ranked Azusa Pacific makes its ninth straight appearance at the national tournament, senior forward Taryn Apo will be "blogging" from Olathe as she shares her thoughts and experiences from the 2006 NAIA Women's Soccer Championship.
Coming into preseason we knew we had a good chance this year. During double days we worked harder than anyone following the strict fitness regimen of our coaching and training staff. After a few big wins early in the season over Lee and Lindsey Wilson in Tennessee we were pumped, and we knew we could do it. But we also knew it would take the rest of the season to get there. After a disappointing conference loss to Westmont and with a rekindled fire we ended our season winning the last nine games by at least three goals. (Full Longo hey-o.)
Before we left for nationals Coach Phil Wolf from the Azusa Pacific men's team offered words of wisdom before we began our journey to the national championship tournament. He told us that watching us this past season had been a pleasure. Coming from Wolf, whom I hold the utmost respect for, it meant a lot to me and to all of us. But Wolf also told us what he most admired this past season was our will - our will to work and our will to win. He said when it comes down to winning big games, it's not about talent, it's not about skill, it's about how bad you want it; it's about will. Will wins games.
Last night we briskly walked into the opening banquet here in Olathe, Kansas. I say "briskly" to emphasize the fact that we were escaping the 40-degree weather. But as we entered the doors to the banquet hall there it was - the NAIA Women?s Soccer 2006 Champion banner hanging above the stage in all its glory. One look at it and I had goose bumps. So did everyone else. I know we were all picturing ourselves holding that banner up next Tuesday night, but for now we have to put that thought on hold.
Tomorrow we play Tiffin University. For some reason I keep saying "Tuffin" but we play Tiffin. Technically we only have one more game on our schedule. In our world right now, the next game on Saturday doesn't exist. All we have is tomorrow.
