For my money, there's nothing better in this world than a golden goal. Nothing.

You play football so you can score goals, and you score goals so you can win matches. A golden goal means that you've bagged one that quite literally, has won you the match. Euphoria.

We really wanted to win this one. It was our final match of the year and we wanted to make sure it was a memorable night for all our seniors. The way things played out, you couldn't have written a better script.

As has been the case in a lot of games this season, we missed a great chance in the first five minutes. We came out on fire and maybe deserved to take a quick lead, but it wasn't meant to be. I have to give Canton credit as they created a couple good chances of our own. They had one set piece just before the break where we left a girl all by herself not six yards from goal. As soon as the ball left her foot, my heart sank into my socks and I said “that's in.” It rolled maybe an inch wide, and it definitely woke us up.

We made a small tactical change in the second half, and if I'm being honest, we were fantastic. We definitely bossed the play, only to see chance after chance go begging. As the clock moved toward the 90th minute, I was beginning to think it might be one of those days. I love it when I'm wrong.

Early in the second half of extra time, TJ released Heather on a partial breakaway, and she produced a lovely, cultured finish to the back stick. When that bell nestled right in the corner, our bench exploded. I must've looked like an absolute idiot as I ran toward the celebration: at full sprint with my trench coat tails dragging behind me. I couldn't have cared less. The girls deserved this win so much, and I honestly couldn't contain how happy I was for them.

I'd like to thank everyone who's been a part of our family this season. I couldn't ask for a better assistant coach and better trainer in Lacey and Lisa. They're both simply amazing. I'd like to thank our men's coach, Adam, for all his support and advice, and our whole athletic staff and administration for all they've done. I'd like to thank every parent and every fan for all their support. And, I want to thank the girls.

I love 'em, what can I say? I know people say they love ice cream, or they love watching law and order. But, I don't mean it like that. I really do love these kids with all my heart, and I just can't do them justice with words.

Go Bears,
MM